News Summary
The 2025 City Guide honors Memphis’s legacy with a focus on its vibrant soul, showcasing music, art, food, and culture. Highlights include the Stax Museum exhibit and recognition of local talent. Despite challenges, the guide encourages community pride and engagement.
Memphis, TN – Acknowledging both its celebrated history and present challenges, the 2025 City Guide pays tribute to Memphis’s enduring spirit through a thematic focus on “soul.” This publication, which has been produced annually in August since 1984, aims to reflect the city’s vibrant essence and create a lasting connection with its readers.
While Memphians often harbor mixed feelings about their cityโtending to be more critical than outsidersโthe strong community spirit is undeniable. Many residents express a profound love for their home, showcasing their pride and resilience even in the face of criticism.
The guide seeks to encapsulate the multifaceted identity of Memphis through features highlighting music, art, food, and culture. Central to this narrative is the city’s rich legacy in soul music, which gained prominence in the 1960s and 1970s, with Stax Records playing a pivotal role in its development. Today, contemporary artists like Don Bryant, Tierinii Jackson, and Valerie June are continuing this legacy, merging traditional soul with modern influences.
The Central High School Jazz Band celebrated a significant achievement by being honored as the best in the world during an event in New York City. This accolade not only emphasizes the city’s music education but also showcases the talent emerging from Memphis.
In a turn of events that led to serious discussions about community preservation, the Clayborn Temple recently suffered a catastrophic fire due to arson. This incident prompted a renewed commitment among Memphians to protect and cherish the city’s cultural and historical landmarks.
The Stax Museum of American Soul Music remains a cornerstone of Memphis’s musical heritage, located at the original site of the iconic Stax Records. An upcoming exhibition titled “B.B. King in Memphis” will display never-before-seen photographs from July 24 to October 19, 2025, providing an avenue for residents and visitors to connect with the soul of the city’s musical past.
Memphis’s role as a nexus for several music genres is further reinforced by the Memphis Rock โnโ Soul Museum, which educates visitors on the historical significance the city holds in shaping rhythm and blues and funk. Local bands like Southern Avenue exemplify the cityโs musical diversity, blending various influences that illustrate Memphis’s cultural landscape.
Throughout its history, Memphis has produced legendary musicians such as Al Green, Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, and Carla Thomas. Their enduring legacies continue to resonate within the community, reinforcing the narrative that Memphis is the cradle of modern soul music.
The 2025 City Guide encourages readers to engage thoughtfully with the soul of Memphis, prompting them to reflect on their personal connections with the city and its people. Additionally, the guide welcomes letters to the editor from readers, with selected contributions potentially featured in future editions.
As Memphis moves forward, embracing its challenges while celebrating its rich cultural tapestry, the 2025 City Guide stands as a testament to the enduring love and pride that many Memphians hold for their city, fostering a deeper understanding of what makes it truly unique.
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Additional Resources
- B.B. King in Memphis Limited Time Exhibit
- Wikipedia: Soul Music
- Memphis Soul Music: Past and Present
- Google Search: Memphis soul music
- Memphis Soul Island Reggae Concerts
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Soul Music
- Ms. Girlee’s Soul Food Closes in North Memphis
- Google News: Memphis cultural heritage
Author: STAFF HERE MEMPHIS WRITER
The MEMPHIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMemphis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Memphis, Shelby County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the areaโwith deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Beale Street Music Festival, Elvis Week, and Memphis in May International Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Memphis Chamber and the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and music that power the local economy such as FedEx, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and AutoZone. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
