Kailynn Johnson talks about her cover story on the Memphis Roller Derby and the latest on the xAI controversy. Plus, a new documentary on John Lennon and Yoko Ono and why haven’t you seen Sinners yet?
Category: Special Sections
On Wednesday, April 9, Soul Coughing will play the Hi Tone. It will be only the second time the band has played Memphis. The first was in 1995, when they opened for Jeff Buckley at the New Daisy on Beale Street.
A lot has happened since then. After three innovative albums and a string of hits unlike anything else on the radio, the band broke up acrimoniously in the late 1990s. Bandleader Mike Doughty pursued a solo career which took him all over the world. Ten years ago, he moved to Memphis, where he still resides today.
Last year, the classic lineup of Soul Coughing patched up their differences and embarked on a modest comeback tour. To the surprise of everyone involved, the tour sold out in a matter of minutes.
Now, the band is headed out on the road again, and they’re kicking it off in Doughty’s adopted home town of Memphis. The Hi Tone will be the smallest venue on this leg of the tour, so this is a chance to see the 90s underground legends in an intimate setting.
On this week’s Memphis Flyer Podcast, Mike Doughty sat down with Chris McCoy for a wide-ranging conversation about music, Memphis, and life.
This week we introduce Memphis to your future leaders with our annual 20<30 issue. You can read about our readers’ and staff’s picks for Memphis’ best and brightest here.
Of our 20 honorees, 19 chose to do Zoom interviews with journalist Chris McCoy (Noah Miller opted to do his interview via email), so on this week’s podcast, you can hear them talk in their own words about who they are, what they do, and why they do it.
Tupelo invites you to celebrate its story, spirit, and most famous native son with Celebrate Tupelo 2025—a year-long tribute to the milestones that have shaped the city. From its deep-rooted history and vibrant culture to the enduring legacy of Elvis Presley, this celebration offers countless opportunities for visitors and residents to connect, discover, and be inspired.
One of the most significant highlights of Celebrate Tupelo 2025 is the 90th birthday of Elvis Presley. Born in a modest two-room house in east Tupelo, Elvis Presley’s journey from small-town boy to King of Rock ‘N’ Roll forever changed the landscape of music and pop culture. Fans from around the world gather in Tupelo to pay tribute to the legend, visiting the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum, enjoying Fan Appreciation Day each August, and experiencing the city that shaped the early years of the global icon.
The celebration isn’t just for Elvis’ birthday. Many of Tupelo’s most beloved institutions will also reach milestone anniversaries, adding to the city’s rich legacy. Reed’s, the iconic downtown department store, marks 120 years, while MLM Clothiers celebrates 85 years of timeless fashion and personalized service. Johnnie’s Drive-In, where Elvis enjoyed eating, commemorates 80 years, and Dairy Kream, a local favorite for burgers and ice cream, reaches 70 years. These longstanding businesses reflect Tupelo’s deep sense of community and tradition.
Spring in Tupelo is synonymous with festivals, and the 2025 lineup does not disappoint. The season kicks off February 21-23 with the World of Customs Auto Show at the Tupelo Furniture Market. As Mississippi’s largest indoor auto show, it features an impressive array of classic cars, showstoppers, and mouthwatering food. The excitement continues May 2-4 with the Tupelo Blue Suede Cruise, when more than 1,000 classic and antique cars take over Downtown Tupelo. To learn more about all of the city’s upcoming events and festivals, visit tupelo.net/events.
While you’re here, dive into Tupelo’s culinary scene. For a fresh and healthy meal, visit PoPsy on the courthouse square, known for its smoothie bowls, juices, and hearty toasts. Charcutie, located in Jackson West, offers a delightful summer lunch menu featuring hot honey chicken salad, Mediterranean pasta salad, and custom charcuterie boards. And for one of the best burgers in the country, Neon Pig’s old-school butcher shop serves up a burger paired with their famous parmesan fries.
With its incredible festivals, historic celebrations, and welcoming atmosphere, Tupelo is the perfect place for your next getaway. Stay close to the action at Tupelo’s newest downtown boutique hotel, Hotel Tupelo or enjoy a comfortable stay near the festivities at Tru by Hilton, Home2 Suites, or Spark by Hilton.
This year will be a celebration like no other, so pack your bags and head to tupelo.net to start planning your getaway today. Stay in the know on all things Celebrate Tupelo by viewing the calendar of events at tupelo.net/events/celebratetupelo and imagine what you can do here!
This article is sponsored by Tupelo CVB.
This week on the Memphis Flyer Podcast, we’re all about podcasting! Sonosphere creator and host Amy Schaftlein joins Chris McCoy to talk about her pioneering music podcast, her day job at United Housing, and The Brutalist. Read this week’s cover story here.
This week’s cover story by Toby Sells is about Historic Haunts Memphis. We followed the Bluff City paranormal investigators as they explored Memphis’ haunted juke joint Earnestine & Hazel’s, and tried to contact the many spirits who supposedly reside there. On the Memphis Flyer YouTube channel, we’ve got video of the spooky expedition. Happy Halloween!
We came. We saw. We partied. That’s right: Last Wednesday, the Flyer held its annual Best of Memphis party at Railgarten, welcoming friends, family, and plenty of BOM winners to celebrate with us. Partygoers enjoyed cocktails and beer, feasted upon sliders and nachos, and danced to live music from Salo Pallini. Some even got to meet the one and only Michael Donahue.
We thank all of our readers who nominated and voted this year, and give our congratulations to the 2024 BOM winners. Special thanks go to our sponsors for the evening: 1776 Men’s Grooming Parlor; Orion Federal Credit Union; Memphis Light, Gas and Water; Choate’s Air Conditioning, Heating And Plumbing; and Southland Casino Hotel. Now, please go on and enjoy our photographs from the evening, and never let the party die!
On Wednesday, Sept. 18th, the day our Best of Memphis 2024 list was released to a waiting world, the winners gathered at Railgarten for a celebration.
I was there with my trusty iPhone camera to record the event for posterity. Thanks to Salo Pallini for the music, and for everyone involved in making this party a raving success.
Categories
Best of Memphis 2024
The Memphis Flyer’s annual Best of Memphis readers’ poll is back, back again! You nominated, you voted, and we spit those answers back out in these pages here. And now it’s time to announce the winners you chose. That’s right: The winners you chose — not us, your fearless (sometimes fearful) writers, not even our advertisers, who help keep this paper a free publication for you.
From margaritas to antique stores to family outings — and everything in between — y’all chose your favorites. Ties have been noted, and no favoritism shown, except in our staff picks because we can.
Best of Memphis 2024 was written by Shara Clark, Michael Donahue, Alex Greene, Michael Finger, Kailynn Johnson, Chris McCoy, Abigail Morici, Toby Sells, Jon W. Sparks, and Bruce VanWyngarden. It was designed by Carrie Beasley.
Thank you to our readers, advertisers, and Memphis, and congratulations to our winners!
Follow this link to find out Memphis’ favorites:
bom24.memphisflyer.com
The birthplace of blues, barbecue capital of the world, and home of rock-and-roll, Memphis is a uniquely vibrant city famous for constantly innovating. Recently, it embraced one of the biggest trends sweeping the nation: THC drinks, a buzzy alternative to alcohol that offers a new way to party.
Because they’re made with hemp-derived cannabinoids, THC drinks are legal for adults throughout the country to enjoy. One of the most popular brands in the nation, Crescent 9 THC Seltzer, is now available at many Memphis locations.
Memphis and Cannabis
Both medical marijuana and recreational marijuana are fully illegal in Memphis. This is something of a surprise considering the fact that, according to a 2024 Vanderbilt Poll, 60 percent of Tennesseans support legalizing marijuana.
Although Tennesseans lack access to marijuana, they do have access to hemp thanks to various bills passed by the state legislature. In 2019, SB357 legalized hemp products, including those containing a psychoactive quantity of THC. In 2023, HB403 further regulated and supported Tennessee’s hemp industry.
Hemp products are federally legal if they contain hemp-derived cannabinoids and less than 0.3 percent Delta-9 THC. These products must also meet Tennessee’s safety and potency requirements to be sold in Memphis. Despite these restrictions, the hemp industry is flourishing.
Hemp-derived THC beverages have become especially popular. One big reason for their success is the fact that many people have given up alcohol in favor of cannabis; indeed, the popularity of cannabis may soon eclipse that of alcohol. A recent study found that by 2022, more people were using cannabis daily than were using alcohol daily.
What is Crescent 9 THC Seltzer?
Flavored with real fruit and infused with a satisfying dose of cannabis, Crescent 9 THC Seltzer is a deliciously refreshing alternative to alcohol. Unlike edibles, Crescent 9 THC Seltzer takes effect in about 15 to 30 minutes, about as fast as alcohol so that you can enjoy Crescent 9 socially.
There are four flavors of Crescent 9 THC Seltzer.
● Ginger Lemonade. Sweet and tart with 5 mg of THC and 4 mg of CBD.
● Tropical. Citrusy and sweet with 6 mg of THC, 3 mg of CBD, and a splash of caffeine.
● Sour Watermelon. Nostalgically sweet and sour with 10 mg of THC.
● Strawberry Lemonade. Deliciously refreshing with a potent 50 mg of THC.
Whether you’re just curious about cannabis or an experienced consumer, there’s a perfect Crescent 9 for you.
Where to Find Crescent 9 THC Seltzer
Crescent 9 THC Seltzer is available at stores and music venues throughout Memphis and surrounding areas. Below are some of the most popular locations to enjoy a cold can on-site or pick up a pack of Crescent 9 to unwind at home.
Find Crescent 9 at:
● Minglewood Hall
● Bud & Hal’s Liquors
● Buster’s Liquors & Wines
● Ceasar’s Wine & Liquor
● Gaslight Liquor Shoppe
● High Point Grocery
● Joe’s Wines & Liquor
● Kimbrough Ine Wine & Spirits
● Kirby Wines & Liquors
● Liquor Barn
● Southwind Liquor
● Wayne’s Wine & Liquor
● Yorkshire Liquors
● Bartlett Wine & Spirits
● Corks Wine and Spirits
● Germantown Village Wine and Liquor
● Hemp2oh
● Mad Hatters Tea Room & Gifts
● Natalie’s Liquor Warehouse
● Vintage By Corks
● Lake District Wine & Liquor
But you don’t have to leave your home to order Crescent 9. Adults across the country can order Crescent 9 THC Seltzer online at crescentcanna.com. You must be 21 or older to buy THC-
infused hemp products.
This article is sponsored by the Crescent 9 THC Seltzers.