The Peabody Memphis' Bluesy Backstory Revealed with Release of CD

A little known piece of Memphis' music history was recently revealed with the release of “Peabody Blues,” a compilation of influential early blues recordings created at The Peabody Memphis hotel. “Peabody Blues” is now available in The Peabody Memphis gift shops.

In 1920s Memphis, just two blocks north, and seemingly worlds away, from the seedy bars of Beale Street, music by now-legendary blues men was being recorded in posh guestrooms at the Peabody Hotel. Major labels like Brunswick and Vocalion hosted recording sessions over four days in September 1929 for Furry Lewis, Robert Wilkins, Charlie McCoy, Speckled Red, and Garfield Akers, in which several significant blues tracks were originally recorded. “That's No Way To Get Along,” recorded by Robert Wilkins during the Peabody sessions, went on to be re-recorded or influence future recordings by the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin.

Prior to the release of “Peabody Blues” in 2014, little was known about the recordings that took place at The Peabody. “We knew that the recording sessions happened, but we didn't have any details, like dates or names of the musicians and the songs they recorded,” said Douglas Browne, General Manager of The Peabody Memphis. “Now, to find out that so many important songs were created here and to be able to listen to all of them together on one compilation CD…. it's like finding buried treasure.”

According to research, hotel room recording sessions like the Peabody sessions were fairly common during that time. However, it is very rare to have so many important songs recorded in one place, among them “The Dirty Dozen,” “Rowdy Blues,” and “Cottonfield Blues.” In addition, few locations where these recording sessions took place are still standing today or can be visited.

Legendary for its charm, elegance, and gracious Southern hospitality, The Peabody Memphis has been made world-famous for its five resident Mallard ducks, who march daily through the Grand Lobby at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. The luxurious downtown hotel opened in 1869 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Having recently completed a major renovation and restoration of the entire property, The Peabody Memphis continues to carry the distinction of the “South's Grand Hotel.”

The Peabody Memphis is a Forbes Four-Star, AAA Four-Diamond property of Peabody Hotels within the portfolio of the Peabody Hotel Group, Memphis, Tennessee, and is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and Historic Hotels of America.