Oxford American Celebrates Stax Records with Memphis Music Revue
Conway, Arkansas – Celebrated for decades for its thoughtful work linking the South’s musical heritage with its present-day soundscape, Oxford American, has invested significant time and effort to elevate music writing from pages to playlists. The long-revered national quarterly publication is synonymous amongst music nerds for its December music edition and accompanying compilation album, practically serving as a Yuletide gift for those who cherish music nostalgia.
The focus this time is on the iconic Stax Records, and the occasion is being marked by a music fest at the University of Central Arkansas’s Windgate Performing Arts Center. The event is planned to begin at 5 p.m. and entry is free with reservations.
Making History with Music
The Stax Museumโs SoulMobile will kick off the honoring event by spinning vinyl records from Stax’s golden era, selling merchandise from Memphis artists, and according to a press release, setting up a โparty on wheels,โ complete with a major appeal on social media platforms.
Following the SoulMobile delight, guests will be treated to a concert by Talibah Safiya, a Memphis origin artist who has described her genre of music as โBlack Lady spiritual.โ In addition, the evening also features performances by The 926, a group formed by alumni from the Stax Music Academy. Proudly non-profit, the academy is known for teaching budding soul artists the intricate facets of music theory, composition, and the business of music.
Celebrating Stax Records and More
The event organized by the Oxford American is a touching tribute to the legacy of Stax Records, which has shaped the musical landscape of the South and nurtured commercial successes, and critical darlings at the same time. Revered for its uninterrupted vitality in the music industry, Stax Records has been home to a multitude of music legends who left an indelible imprint on the history of music. Soul staples such as Otis Redding and Booker T. and the MG’s, amongst others, have been a part of the Stax Records family.
Fittingly, an homage to this music institution will be paid by performers that are directly nurtured by the Stax Music Academy, continuing the rich legacy and musical tradition of this famed record label.
Reservations and Venue
While the Memphis Music Review is a free event, music lovers must make a reservation to ensure their spot. The event is set to take place at the Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts, which is located on the University of Central Arkansas campus in Conway, offering a convivial setting for this historic tribute.
The homage to Stax Records is another feather in the cap for the Oxford American, as they continue their mission of linking the Southโs musical past with its present, making sure history doesn’t forget the value of celebrated institutions like Stax Records.