Preston Lauterbach

March 27, 2013 at UIndy

Preston Lauterbach — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 18:45:08 +0000

Why don’t you come up some time and see me? I’m thrilled to revisit Indianapolis, one of the key locations in chitlin’ circuit history, home of the fabulous Ferguson brothers. I’m giving a talk at 4:30 Wednesday afternoon at the University of Indianapolis, admission gratis, plus free autographs for everyone who buys a book. See […]

On Isaac Hayes’ 70th: Remembering Currie’s Club Tropicana and Isaac Hayes’ debut

Preston Lauterbach — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 14:07:45 +0000

Memphis music geography centers on Beale Street downtown, but blues, jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, and soul have spilled out onto Thomas Street in the section of North Memphis called New Chicago since before WWII. It manages to stay well-hidden from the rest of the city– it’s not on the approved list of tourist attractions despite […]

Sax Kari Sings!

Preston Lauterbach — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 14:36:46 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCO-ICwI6D8&feature=youtu.be

Here's a recently rediscovered (thank you, attic) snippet of Sax Kari, singing in his living room studio. Location is Seffner, Florida, early September 2005.

The Chitlin’ Circuit Paperback!

Preston Lauterbach — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 17:40:59 +0000

Is out today, bringing to mind the great Sax Kari, who said The Chitlin’ Circuit was never about making big money, it’s about making constant money. New York Times Paperback Row, 8/10/12 amazon.com Barnes and Noble

Al Green

Preston Lauterbach — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 15:40:38 +0000

I hear it’s Al Green’s birthday. I repost a classic article in his honor. This has been by far the most popular and frequently viewed item, now on my third website. Al Green’s Full Gospel Tabernacle Church 787 Hale Road Memphis, TN 38116| 901-396-9192 Al Green’s Full Gospel Tabernacle on Hale Rd, Memphis, TN After cementing […]

The One

Preston Lauterbach — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 12:59:06 +0000

RJ Smith’s James Brown bio The One, out this week, reviewed here for the Wall Street Journal, is loaded: captivating background, hair-raising stories, and fascinating detail. I was thrilled to learn that at the end of his life, Brown had just a few albums at home, one of which was a Sax Kari production! No […]

Update, 508 Park Avenue, Dallas, Site of Robert Johnson’s Last Session

Preston Lauterbach — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:14:44 +0000

UPDATE, 1/19/2012 Old news, but good news. This site will become The Museum of Street Culture, something every city needs! I think these are still the only photos of the inside to have been published. Here’s a photo tour of the building where Mississippi bluesman Robert Johnson recorded in summer 1937. At that time, the […]

Beale Street Stories: Sweet Willie Wine

Preston Lauterbach — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 15:29:49 +0000

I’m deep into the Beale Street story and finding much delicious dirt. I’ll share little sprinkles here and there, keeping the richest of it for the book. One of the great characters of Beale Street lore is Sweet Willie Wine. He worked the street as a booster, pickpocket, and con man, got locked up in […]

The Stroll Then & Now: Monroe, LA

Preston Lauterbach — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 21:34:56 +0000

“We are now driving down DeSiard Street, the stroll in Monroe, Louisiana,” wrote chitlin’ circuit pioneer Walter Barnes in 1936. DeSiard buzzed back then, at least in Barnes’ infectious, up-tempo telling. “The Red Goose Barber Shop is the place where all the boys have their grooming done…Lovely Brown’s Beauty Shop is where all the ladies […]

The Sax Kari Photo Collection III

Preston Lauterbach — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 16:10:42 +0000

Back to New Orleans in 1963! First you’re backstage at the auditorium with Smiling Lewis (l), Danny White (c), and one of their pals (ID, anyone?): Don’t dally, head over to Sax Kari’s record shop/studio, where Wardell Quezergue is hanging out: Finally, how about a little pinball with Esquerita? As always, thanks go to the […]