Category: We Saw You

Wearing a cap with “Mem” on the front, the man in the gray mustache and beard stood out as he walked to his table at the Rendezvous. And it wasn’t just the cap. He had a distinguished air about him.

It was celebrated chef Guy Savoy of Restaurant Guy Savoy in Paris, Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas and four other restaurants in Paris, including Le Chiberta, which earned its first Michelin star after only six months of operation.A three-star Michelin guide chef, Savoy is a former recipient of the Legion d’ Honneur, France’s highest honor. His cookbooks include “Guy Savoy: Simple French Recipes for the Home Cook.”

This weekend, Savoy will be the featured chef at the Memphis Food & Wine Festival, which will be held Oct. 14 at Memphis Botanic Garden. He leads the roster of 13 out-of-town guest chefs and 20 local chefs who will prepare dishes that will be served by vintners and certified sommeliers.

Calvin Bell, who was named No. 1 server in Memphis Flyer’s recent Best of Memphis, was Savoy’s server Oct. 12 at the Rendezvous.

John Vergos, a Rendezvous owner, said, “He ate an array. He ate lamb ribs, pork ribs, brisket and the Rendezvous special – cheese, sausage, salami, pickles and peppers. He was very nice.”

Vergos heard Savoy say he loved the slaw, which is made from a 100-year-old recipe, and the lamb ribs, but he didn’t linger at the table. “I didn’t hover,” He said.

Second place wasn’t good enough for Calvin Bell, a server at the Rendezvous.

He came in No. 2 last year in the Memphis Flyer’s Best of Memphis contest.

This year he came in No. 1.

“This year when I was nominated, I gave it all I had,” Bell said. “I really lobbied for it.”

His strategy? After taking care of his regular customers, he’d say, “By the way, I got nominated for Best Server.”

He calls his good customers his “local loyalties.’ “I felt comfortable talking to them about it.”

Bell, who has been with Rendezvous for 27 years, and his fiance, Kimberly Farmer, attended the Best of Memphis 2017 party Sept. 27 at Graceland.

About 2,500 attended the event, which featured food (including duck legs from third place Best Chef winner Michael Patrick of Rizzo’s) and music by John Paul Keith and The Subtractions.

Michael Donahue

Gonerfest14. East patio at Murphy’s.

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Andrew Anderson, who is in the Shakes and Proto Idiot, is a fan of Gonerfest.

What sets it apart from other festivals is it’s “open and welcoming and unpretentious,” Anderson said.

Other festivals are populated by “people who try to be cool and try to impress you.”

And Gonerfest? “Everyone is open and friendly and nice.”

Anderson, whose bands played during the festival, was among the 400 or so at Gonerfest14 Saturday Afternoon Blowout at Murphy’s, held Sept. 30.

Rob Blake, from London, Ontario, Canada, is in the band, Klazo, which didn’t perform at Gonerfest. He described the festival as “this gigantic melting pot of people from all over the world. Everyone is an equal.”

About “2,500 plus” .attended this year’s Gonerfest, which featured 36 bands in four days, said Zac Ives, who owns Goner Records with Eric Friedl.

Nick Longmire, who is in Burning Itch, a Knoxville group that didn’t perform at this year’s festival, summed up the attraction of Gonerfest in four words: “All the bands, dude.”

Michael Donahue

Two Girls and a Whip soft opening. With whisks.

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The new bakery, Two Girls and a Whip, held a soft opening Sept. 29 at 363 South Front. The bakery is slated to open to the public Oct. 9.

A “whip” is another word for a “whisk,” which probably was used to beat the from-scratch batter to make the 300 plus cupcakes for the opening event.

The owners are Caroline Dean, Mary Katherine Dunston and Courtney Lollar. Dunston and Lollar are the bakers a.k.a. the two girls with the whip.

The bakery featured their regular cupcakes – strawberry, lemon, chocolate, white cake and yellow cake – at the soft opening.

They also served other cupcakes, including “chipotle chocolate,” one of their specialty flavors.

Dean described the cupcake as “a dark chocolate batter that has just a little bit of chipotle – a very finely-ground chipotle – added to the icing. Also a special dark chocolate icing.”

They also sell “Boozy Batter” cupcakes – “Ones that actually have alcohol in them,” Dean said.

Guests could tri “White Russian” cupcakes at the event. They’re made with vodka and Kahlua.

So, who came up with the name “Two Girls and a Whip?” “Aldo did,” said Dean, whose husband is Aldo Dean, owner of Bar Dog, Aldo’s Pizza Pies and Slider Inn.

“Aldo has all sorts of Aldo has all sorts of random knowledge in his head,” Caroline said. “I’m sure he was thinking about the whisk being called a ‘whip.’”

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Michael Donahue

Musa Banat, Mark Winder, Thomas Strickland, John Elmore at Mark Winder reception.

Memphis Blues Rugby Club players gathered Sept. 30, but they didn’t wear cleats or sideburns. They already played rugby, so they changed shoes. And the Elvis 7s rugby tournament/homage to the King with its “Mr. Sideburns” contest is held in August.

The event, hosted by attorney Larry Magdovitz and his wife, Nouth, was a reception for Mark Winder, who was Larry’s rugby coach at Boston University. Winder now is head coach of the Mandurah Pirates in Mandurah, West Australia, near Perth.

“I invited him to come to Memphis and he took me up on it,” Magdovitz said.

Area restaurants provided food, which included crepes from Crepe Maker, lamb from Owen Brennan’s, pasta from Ciao Bella and key lime pie from Houston’s. Nouth also prepared some of the food.

The event also served as an “after inner squad match” held that day at McBride Field, said Spencer Hansen, one of the players whose likeness was captured by caricaturist Kevin Reuter, who kept a line in front of his easel as he drew portraits of guests.

BreakFest 901 was more than sausage biscuits.

Take “Black Friday Biscuit,” one of the contributions from Glaze Hardage and Ricky O’Rourke from the Sun’s Out Bun’s Out team. It’s made with turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce and gravy on a sweet potato biscuit.

His other items were “Bacon Bread Pudding Waffle,” “Chinese Takeout Omelet” – General Tso’s chicken and fried rice omelette; “Bacon Situation” – biscuits with bacon and bacon jam; and biscuits with crawfish gravy.

Hardage also is cook/catering manager at Blink restaurant/Melissa Catering, which is located at Southern College of Optometry.

“I had to defend the home court,” he said.

The categories were “Breakfast Sweets,” “Breakfast Sandwich,” “Omelet,” “Bacon Lovers” and “Anything Goes.”

Sun’s Out Bun’s Out came in second in Bacon Lovers and second in Breakfast Sweets. The team got third in Omelet and third in Anything Goes.

This year’s event – the third – was their biggest, said Christin Yates, who chaired the benefit with Andy Wells and Amy Chadwick.

“We sold right at 1,000 tickets,” she said. “Last year was around 750 or 800 people.”

Asked what sets BreakFest apart from other festivals, Yates said, “We try to make it all inclusive. So, if you’re not on a cooking team, come have a good time. There are games, family friendly activities, music and lots of other things to enjoy. I think that kind of draws people in and gives everybody something to do.

And they can eat. Booths handed out samples. Food trucks also were on hand.

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Michael Donahue

Steve Mulroy, Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell and Judge Janice Holder at STRUT.

None of the bartenders at STRUT had to make frozen margaritas or even mix a scotch and soda. But if you were a guest, Shelby County Mayor Frank Luttrell or other Memphis celebrities might have poured a glass of red or white wine for you. Maybe a soft drink with ice. Or served you a beer.

The event, held Sept. 21 at Mercedes-Benz of Memphis, was presented by Community Legal Center.

About 200 attended the party, which included a fashion show, a buffet and drinks.

Jerri Green, director of community engagement, planned and coordinated the event. Long-time board member Steve Mulroy “should get MVP for the event,” said Anne Mathes with Community Legal Center.
“Recruiting emcees and celebrity bartenders, getting wine and beer donated, soliciting sponsorships and auction items and selling tickets – you name it, he does it.”

The event was presented by Laurelwood Shopping Center and Mercedes-Benz of Memphis.

Richard Ransom and Katina Rankin from Channel 24 news were emcees.

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Michael Donahue

Jamond and Brittney Bullock at Farm Fest.

Instead of weeding or hoeing, guests could whistle along – or dance if they wanted – to Star & Micey tunes at Farm Fest, held Sept. 24 at Loflin Yard.

Farm Fest, hosted by Memphis Farmers Market, is “our annual fundraiser,” said Memphis Farmers Market executive director Allison Cook. “The proceeds go directly into funding the upcoming season.”

About 300 attended. “I think it was a great success ‘cause we had such great support from area restaurants that donated as well as our newest brewery, Old Dominick Distillery.”

Another reason was “the community support,” she said.

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Michael Donahue

John Paul Keith and Will Sexton at The Hi Tone

The Hi Tone was hopping Sept. 22. The big room featured the “Gimme Shelter” Rolling Stones Tribute/Benefit for HOPE (Homeless Organizing through Power and Equality) and the small room featured a release party for Louise Page’s new EP, “Salt Mosaic.”

The HOPE benefit featured 15 acts, said Kelley Anderson, who organized the event with Graham Winchester. Winchester performed with his band, Graham Winchester and the Ammunition. Shangr-Lla Records sponsored the event.

HOPE “raises awareness around issues affecting people experiencing homelessness – a condition that can happen to anyone if they don’t have recourses like good friends and family. Things to fall back on.”

They raised about $800, but hoped to raise $10,000, Anderson said. “The concrete goal is to help HOPE get a van for their members. To help them get directly to their services: meal services, job interviews, things like that. And, mainly, a way to continue their organizing work.”

Page was “overwhelmed with joy and gratitude’ about her EP release. “The amount of enthusiasm and support from my friends, family and community was completely unprecedented and uplifting,” she said. “And now I can’t wait to do something even bigger and better and more luminous.”

Julia Wellford Allen, Page’s 91-year-old grandmother, was among the guests.

Also appearing with Page and her band were Strong Martian and Magnolia.

Michael Donahue

Toney Walsh from Mednikow Jewelers and chef Logan Guleff sport Bremont watches at a reception at Mednikow Jewelers.

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Mednikow Jewelers remembered Giles English’s birthday with a cake – decorated as the face of a Bremont Watch. Giles and his brother, Nick, are founders of the watch company.

[slideshow-1]

Most players wore shorts and T-shirts to play kickball at Exposure, but Nikola Printz wore a below-the-knee spaghetti strap dress with red polka dots.

Guests learned what the large roster of chefs will prepare at the FedExFamilyHouse fundraiser, which will be held Oct. 14 at Memphis Botanic Garden.

For instance: acclaimed chef Guy Savoy, who has restaurants in Paris and Las Vegas, will prepare artichoke and black truffle soup; Tory McPhail of Commander’s Palace in New Orleans, will prepare kelp and sea salt grilled royal red shrimp with rum agricole grilled pineapple, jicama, hearts of palm, sliced lemon, toasted coconut, mango aspci and three-year aged “Rum Barrel” hot sauce; and Nick Vergos from the Rendezvous will serve Rendezvous ribs.

MIchael Donahue

Jennifer Hamblin, Mike Allen and Veronica Tansley at Hardin Hall.

Michael Donahue

Matt McCormack at Matt McCormack and Friends at Lafayette’s Music Room.

Michael Donahue

Andrew Vanelli

[slideshow-1]

Jerry Schilling loves Memphis.


Schilling, who was a close friend and business associate of Elvis, was in town to participate in Elvis Week events.

“I think Memphis is different,” he said. “And I think it’s in the water in the Mississippi River. It’s where it all came together with all the styles of music and with the geniuses like Sam Phillips and Dewey Phillips, who got it. And Elvis Presley, who put it all together and basically kicked the door in for rock and roll.

“I am very proud to be a part of this city with its great musical heritage both black and white. When I came back to be president of the Memphis & Shelby County Music Commission, I walked down Beale Street and looked at every note on Beale Street and I saw friends, people I idolized and I didn’t know. And for me to have the 66th note on Beale Street was the ultimate. I live in Hollywood, but my soul is in Memphis.”

Schilling participated in “SiriusXM Town Hall” with Priscilla Presley, Mac Davis and Peter Guralnick. The event, held Aug. 14 at the Guest House at Graceland, was aired live.

Among his current projects is the Cinemax series “Quarry.” “I’m a consultant on that,” he said. “It takes place in Memphis in the ‘70s. It’s not about Elvis at all. It’s about two Vietnam soldiers coming back to Memphis and having a hard time getting a job. And they become hit men. We use a lot of Memphis music. A lot of David Porter.”

Schilling is an executive producer along with Priscilla Presley on the upcoming HBO documentary, “Elvis Presley: The Searcher,” slated to air in 2018. “We have finished the program now. I did come come to Memphis over two years ago with Kari Antholis. He’s the head of series programs at HBO. We did a whole research thing for the show. We met with David Porter. David is one of the voiceovers in the documentary. And we used some of his music.”

Antholis “fell in love with Memphis,” Schilling said. “He fell so much in love with Memphis he had his son’s 

Meatball Eating Contest from Michael Donahue on Vimeo.

Jerry Schilling, Isaac Hayes, Monroe Ave. Festival, Fight Night, Loflin Yard and more!

seventh grade field trip to Memphis. From L. A. They went to Graceland and the Civil Rights Museum. They did everything.”

And, Schilling said, “I’m back managing the Beach Boys after 30 years.”


He was the Beach Boys’ manager for 10 years. “I love their more deeper music. I love it all, but I think there’s a lot more obscure Beach Boys music I wasn’t familiar with in the beginning. We all know ‘Good Vibrations,’ the car songs.”


He particularly likes “Warmth of the Sun” and “Feel Flows.”

“They’re great to work with. And they’re very, very diverse. It’s America’s band. They’re the Beatles of America.”

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Michael Donahue

Jonathan Magallanes at Fight Night.

TV’s “Hell’s Kitchen,” “Chopped” and “Throwdown! With Bobby Flay” have nothing on the Aug. 19th boxing match between Restaurant Iris/Second Line chef/owner Kelly English and Los Tortugas chef Jonathan Magallanes at Phoenix Club’s “Fight Night” fundraiser. The Boys and Girls of Greater Memphis benefit was held Aug. 19 at the University Club of Memphis .

“John Collier, who put on the event, asked if I would be willing to fight Kelly,” Jonathan said. “We’re good enough friends we could put aside our love of each for a good cause and trade blows.”

In addition to punching each other, the two chefs added some verbal jabs. “I told him that I had better Cajun food at Popeye’s in Ecuador,” Magallanes said. “And that Applebee’s was better than the Second Line. And he said that cheese and sour cream do belong on tacos. We don’t do that.”

He described the comments as “little jabs on cuisine and food as a way to get each other riled.”

Magallanes didn’t train for the event, but English did. He worked with trainer Nick Davis for six months.

When Collier asked him to fight, English said, “You’ve got to get me a chef. I’ll fight a chef. I feel like that’s a fun draw.”

Collier came back and saId, ‘We got Jonathan.” To which English responded, “You got Adonis? LIke 6-4. Born in perfect fashion. Like chiseled.”

English won the event – best of three two-minute rounds – by a unanimous decision. “If Jonathan had trained, he would have been an insane opponent,” English said.

But, he said, “I love Jonathan and I do not enjoy fighting someone I love. I am not interested in fighting someone I love ever again. I was in his wedding for chrissakes. He’s probably my best friend in town.”

“It was all in good fun,” Magallanes said. “We’re real bro’s. We’re able to fight and put it aside.”

“I’d never boxed before,” English said. “It’s good to hang up the boxing gloves undefeated.”

Michael Donahue

Veronica Hayes and David Porter at Isaac Hayes Day in the Park.

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Isaac Hayes was honored in his home-town of Covington, Tenn. Aug. 19 at Frazier Park. Family and friends gathered at “Isaac Hayes Day in the Park” to remember Hayes and to listen to some of his music.

His daughter, Veronica Hayes, who attended with her sister, Melanie Hayes, described the gathering as “the inaugural event to celebrate my dad.”

Her father was born Aug. 20, 1942, but they held the event on Aug. 19 because it was a Saturday, Veronica said.

The Class of 1977 Revue performed Isaac’s hits, including “Soul Man,” which he co-wrote with David Porter. Porter was among the guests.

Veronica brought three of her father’s BMI awards – two for “Shaft” and one for “Deja Vu” – to the Tipton County Museum to coincide with the event, which was organized by John Edwards.

Veronica plans to get more involved next year. “I think I’m going to throw my hat in there and help them out,” she said.

She’d like to raise money from the event to provide scholarships and give money to high school music departments.

Michael Donahue

Brett Healey at Monroe Ave. Festival.

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Brett Healey won the “Meatball Eating Contest” at the Monroe Ave. Festival Aug. 20 in front of Bardog Tavern. He was the first contestant to finish 40 meatballs. He finished in 13 minutes and 14 seconds, which beat the previous record of about 15 minutes. The annual event follows the annual Breakaway
Bardog 5K to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Healey, who was born in Hamilton, New Jersey, moved to Memphis two months ago. He got hooked on competitive eating in New Jersey. “There was a burger challenge at a restaurant where I used to work in New Jersey. That was a two-pound burger plus one pound topping. So, a total of a three-pound burger. You had 30 minutes to eat it. And I finished it in 24 minutes.”


His secret is “working out a lot, eating a lot of fruit and vegetables and water to stretch my stomach out.”

Healey already is hungry for his next challenge. “I have been approved to do the Moonpie eating contest in October at The Pyramid.”

Michael Donahue

Novel bookstore soft opening.

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Novel held soft openings two days before the new bookstore in Laurelwood officially opened Aug. 18.

A group got together to open the bookstore after The Booksellers at Laurelwood decided to close its doors.

“As a customer, I think it’s important for the city to have an independent bookstore,” said John Vergos, a managing partner along with Christy Yarbro and Matt Crowe. “I already knew there was a strong base of support. I went there almost every day. I thought I could help round up some people. By the time we were through, there were other people of like mind to put it together.”

Vergos described it as “a full-service bookstore. We’ll carry fiction, non-fiction, religious books, cookbooks. And it’s going to be totally locally owned, locally staffed. A strong emphasis on local artists, local writers.”

Asked how the bookstore’s name originated, John said, “Nicole Yasinsky said if she could open the perfect bookstore that would be the name she’d choose. It resonated with everybody and we kept it.”


Libra, the store’s restaurant, is slated to open in early September.

“It’s our goal to keep it full of books. And our goal is for it to be sustainable. We expect to see this place still there in 20 years.”

Michael Donahue

Rebekah and Scott Tashie at the I Love Juice Bar soft opening.

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Owners Scott and Rebekah Tashie were on hand for the I Love Juice Bar soft opening Aug. 16 at Crosstown Complex.

Food includes the nori bowl, AB (almond butter) sandwich and overnight oats.

Among the fresh-made juices are Orange you Glad, We’ve Got the Beet and Sweet Greens.

Michael Donahue

Aaron Gardner and Matthew Stachowski at Loflin Yard.

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Loflin Yard held a soft opening of its new menu items Aug. 16. The culinary items, which currently are available, will officially be featured on 901 Day – Sept. 1. People will celebrate all things Memphis on that day.

New Loflin Yard items include brisket poutine with scratch gravy, brisket tacos with avocado and pickled watermelon radish, house-smoked sausage and cheese, a vegetable focaccia sandwich, a grilled vegetable platter, Farrow Island smoked salmon and the Gayoso con Queso Mexican-style cheese dip.

These are dishes people can share “that we didn’t have before, geared to an Austin, Texas-style barbecue,” said Matthew Stachowski, Loflin Yard executive chef. “Our main focus is brisket. We’re trying to have the best brisket in Memphis.”

Michael Donahue

Operation BBQ Relief Mississippi State Challenge.

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The smell of grilled steaks wafted over Byhalia, Mississippi Sunday morning.

Tyler Clancy, owner of Clancy’s Cafe in Red Banks, Miss. was among the contestants in the Operation BBQ Relief Mississippi State Challenge.

Asked the secret to grilling a great steak, Clancy said, “Do not overcook it.”

Sixty-seven teams participated in the event, held Aug. 20, said Mark Lambert with Operation BBQ Relief.

Organization members are “first responders in times of need and natural disaster,” Lambert said. “People from all walks of life come together and pull resources, pull equipment and travel anywhere in the country where there is a centralized, large relief effort to feed victims.”

Asked how many contestants were from Memphis, Lambert said, “probably about 65 percent of our teams are local, Mid-South area.”

Everyone was required to turn in one ribeye steak, Lambert said. “We provide two un-trimmed ribeye steaks. Trim it as necessary before it’s cooked. They have to cook that steak and turn it in in a box with nothing else. A steak in a box. The have a 30-minute window to turn that in. So, they can take as long as they need to trim it, marinate it, do whatever they need.”

They also can – perhaps nervously – eat the other steak and share it with friends while waiting for the winner to be announced.

Jim Holland from Louisiana won the steak category

Mark, who is president of the National Barbecue and Grilling Association, also is with Sweet Swine O’ Mine Distributing. The Sweet Swine O’ Mine barbecue team is a two-time world champion in the Memphis in May 

World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest.

Meatball Eating Contest from Michael Donahue on Vimeo.

Jerry Schilling, Isaac Hayes, Monroe Ave. Festival, Fight Night, Loflin Yard and more!

John P. Carpenter, an Elvis tribute artist from Canada, finally took the step and bought a pair of blue suede shoes at Lansky Brothers.

Elvis’s own shoes wouldn’t be too big for Carpenter to fill. “I’m about sure Elvis wore size twelves, too,” said Carpenter, who was dressed in the King’s favorite colors – pink and black.

Carpenter was among the throng at the Candlelight Vigil, held Aug. 15 in front of Graceland. Fans of all ages turned out to honor the memory of the King on a hot summer evening.

“My hair’s melting,” said 11-year-old tribute artist Nathan Pittorf, whose slick coif accented his lavender shirt, black pants and black-and-white spectator shoes.

Nathan uses three different pomades on his hair: 360, Clubman and Aussie, said his dad, Mike Pittorf. On a “windy, rough day” Nathan uses American Crew pomade, he said.

Asked what the King meant to him, Australian Elvis tribute artist Stuey V said, “The impact he’s made on many lives.”

Stuey V described Elvis as “a humble human being and one of the greatest entertainers who ever lived.”

Keith Easom, who is from England, showed his love for the King with his tattoos. He had 17 Elvis tattoos on just his back.

Kyler Campbell has a special bond with the King. “I doubled for Elvis once,” he said. He portrayed Elvis – ‘50s shirt, slacks and all – as he sat in the backseat of a green car in the “Sun Records” TV series.

His dressing room door had a star on it and the name “Elvis,” he said.

Brian Troy, who participated in the Images of the King tribute artist contest, said this was his first Candlelight Vigil. “It’s wonderful to be able to finally come here and experience this fantastic thing,” he said.

He enjoyed his visit to Memphis, which included a booking at the Magnuson hotel. As for the Vigil, he said, “This here beats it all.”

“You are keeping Elvis alive – truly,” Priscilla Presley told the audience before fans began the walk to Meditation Garden to pay their respects.

Michael Donahue

Frankie Broyles, Doug Bleichner and Philip Frobos of Omni at Growlers.

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“I love Elvis,” said Omni vocalist/bass player Philip Frobos. “I mean, there’s so many things to love about Elvis, but I really love his minimal ballads a lot.”

Frobos and his band, which includes guitarist Frankie Broyles and drummer Doug Bleichner, were in town Aug. 9 to perform at Growlers.

His girlfriend recently sent him the box set of Elvis recordings, “A Boy from Tupelo – The Complete 1953-55 Recordings,” Frobos said. “It’s some really great stripped-down versions of ‘Blue Moon’ and ‘I Love You Because.’ and stuff like that. But I also really like his Hank Williams cover of ‘Trying to Get to You.’ I even love that special where he’s wearing the black leather.”

Frobos began playing bass when he was 14. “I remember saying I would probably never learn a musical instrument or anything like that, which is weird. I was a soccer player. It was kind of my main thing.”

But he stopped playing soccer. “That kind of happened at the time I started dating girls, too. So, it’s like, ‘Music and girls are a lot more fun than waking up at 6 a.m. and running around.’”

Asked how Omni began, Frobos said he and Broyles “would write songs around the house” when they were in their own bands. Frobos was in Carnivores and Broyles was in Balkans and, later, Deerhunter. “But, really, Omni happened, I suppose, after we had written a song that sounded more like proto-punk. And we kind of liked where we went with that and followed that idea.”

The band originally was called “Land Line,” but, Frobos said, “We decided to change it to ‘Omni’ because there’s another ‘Land Line’ in Portland. We named it after the Omni Coliseum in Atlanta. It’s no longer there, but it’s where the Atlanta Hawks played basketball. And David Bowie and Led Zeppelin played there all the time.”

As for their music style when they began, Frobos said, “I don’t think we set out to do any kind of thing, but at the time we were listening to a lot of late ‘70s early rock music. So, rock and roll with a new wave influence. Rock and roll with a sense of urgency. Not necessarily punk, but rhythmic, too.”

They recorded their first album, “Deluxe,” with Trouble in Mind records in January, 2016. “The second one comes out this September. It’s called ‘Multi-task.’ I would say it seems a little more rock and roll than the first record. We definitely don’t want to repeat ourselves. But, also, I’ve never been a fan of people just abandoning their sounds. (It’s) just good rock songs. I think we tend to not be afraid to do things that some people might consider cheesy. Or bigger guitar and drums moments. A little more space in the songs and things like that.”

Frobos, who writes the lyrics to their songs, said, “I would say this new record is a lot of disenchantment and stemming from maybe just common everyday social experiences. I was in a pretty terrible relationship, so there was a lot of anger coming from that. But it doesn’t come out as anger. It comes out as clever.”

Michael Donahue

John Doyle, LInda Thompson, Pat Kerr Tigrett at Linda Thompson’s book signing at Memphis Rock N’ Soul Museum.

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Fans packed Memphis Rock N’ Soul Museum Aug. 13 to meet Linda Thompson and have her sign copies of her book, “A Little Thing Called Life: On Loving Elvis Presley, Bruce Jenner, and Songs in Between.”

The book recounts the years Thompson spent with Elvis and her marriage to Bruce Jenner, now Caitlyn Jenner.

The King’s first words to Thompson after he noticed her at the old Memphian theater were, “Oh, hello, honey.”

Thompson presented an award to Jenner at a charity event in 1979. They began dating and were married in 1981. Thompson never suspected Jenner was transgender.

About 200 attended the signing, said the museum’s executive director John Doyle.

They don’t do a lot of book signings at the museum, but, Doyle said,, “She was such a big draw and, obviously, the Elvis fans that are in town know her, respect her and appreciate her involvement in Elvis’s life. Needless to say, there was almost a guaranteed audience for that.

“Elvis Week presents that unique opportunity because the tourists that are here are very focused on anything associated with Elvis and his career and his life. An opportunity to have her in town and participate in a book signing with her is a great opportunity to tie in with the cool things that Graceland is doing.”

…….

Michael Donahue

Tadd James, Dylan THompson, Mary Catherine and Muriel Gintz at Fam Jam.

Tigerlake and Mellowtonin performed Aug. 8 at Fam Jam at Railgarten.

Commenting on their musical style, Tiger Lake bass player Ian Rone said, “I think we’re trying to go the indie alternative route like every other band nowadays, but I’d say it’s something different. We’re always trying to keep things different and new.”

The band also includes Wallace Leopard and Lucas Davis on guitar, Gary Leopard on drums and Jacob Tims on synthesizer and guitar.

All the band members write the songs, including “Moon Man,” the group’s most popular song. “It’s about this guy and girl in a moon colony,” Rone said. “And she has to leave and he’s sad. She’s leaving to go back to Earth or somewhere else. I’m not exactly sure.”

Asked where “Tigerlake” came from, Rone said, “I was driving in Florida and I saw it. It’s like a county or something in Florida near Pensacola. I was like, ‘That’s a cool name. Guys, let’s do that.’”

Mellowtonin got its name sort of by accident. “We thought we were going to be a band for one show, so we kind of made it as a joke name,” said guitarist/vocalist Wesley Wolffe. “We played our first show and we liked it.”

Mellowtonin also includes guitarist/vocalist Emerson Manley, Turner Wolffe on bass, Ara Hanissian on synthesizer and Grady Leopard on drums.

As for their music style, Wolffe said, “We have three or four different songwriters in the band. I listen to a lot of ‘80s music. Emerson, the other guitar player and singer, likes pop punk and stuff. All the different styles meld into one. So, you can’t put your finger on it.”

They liked Railgarten. “We normally play at our friends’ houses and stuff like that. That was definitely the nicest venue we’ve ever played. We really liked the setup and how nice the stage looked.”

Rone also liked Railgarten. “I really enjoy the space. A lot of people there. It’s a great environment for people to go watch live music for free, which I think is just dandy. It’s a very, very family friendly place.”

Michael Donahue

Chelse Rice and Javarrius Reaves at Lisamorgan soft opening.

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Lisa Morgan, former owner of The Cottage restaurant on Summer, held a soft opening for her new business, Lisamorgan, a boutique in Wolfchase Galleria.

The event included a fashion show hosted by Glen Allen and Jenni Graham of apparel by designers featured at the shop.

Asked why she wanted to open a boutique, Morgan said, “I wanted one for a couple of years and I couldn’t do it. Morgan (Prewett, her daughter) is into fashion and modeling, so I thought it would be good for her as well.”

On hand at the event was Lisa’s father, Billy Franks, who owned The Cottage from 2009 to 2012 before Lisa took it over. Since the store’s party coincided with Billy’s birthday, guests treated him to a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday to You.”