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Memphis Blues |
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I spotted the Hardees sign and hit the turn lane to make the right into the parking lot. Roy and Jeannie were standing just outside the door sippin’ on a cup of coffee when we shut em’ down.
This trip started out as the result of an invite from the Blues City Victory Riders. We threw dates back and forth before finally settling on a the October 25th weekend. This time of year gets a little hectic and given that, along with just finishing the first “Autumn in Dixie Victory Ride” event a couple of weeks back, I wasn’t expecting much participation. I was pleased that by the time the date was here we had 8 riders going. |
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When we left at 7:00 from Pam and David’s it was still dark and overcast. The sun didn’t peek through till we were well out of Decatur. The plan was to meet Roy and Jeannie for a quick bite, and Hardees is usually acceptable to all. So, we scarffed down a biscuit and hit US-72 heading toward Corinth.
Once in Corinth we made a quick stop for gas before making the last 70+ miles to Collierville. We made a left on W Poplar Ave and a mile or so later I pulled in to the parking lot of the Hampton. I wanted to see what time check –in was before we hit FRS. As it turned out they let us check-in early which gave us the opportunity to unload the bikes.
With a few turns and a little help from Chuck’s |
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By - Wendell Rogers - Aka: Rocketcitymadman, Photography by Everybody |
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Somebody forgot to turn on the heat! |
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FRS Powersports in Germantown, TN |
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GPS we were parked out front of the local dealer in Germantown in no time. After getting the bikes settled and the introductions out of the way we made our way over to the lunch wagon and got us a good hunk of Bar-B-Que provided by the fine folks at FRS.
We spent the rest of the afternoon visiting with the guys in the local chapter and browsing through the Victory goodies inside the shop. We took advantage of the 50 % off sales rack and stocked up on some apparel in the process. The dealer was having a customer appreciation day and as part of that they had a bike show. Juan and Chuck pulled their bikes over to the line already set up to take a shot at the prize. I didn’t do a count but it looked like they had somewhere between |
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15 and 20 bikes. In the end Juan took first prize which was a $100.00 gift certificate. A group of the local guys along with a visitor from the west side and us from the east side made plans to take a few roads back toward where our hotel was. While we were getting things together Juan headed into the toy store to get rid of his prize money.
We took the round about way through the area and ended up back at our hotel in Collierville where we got a group picture. I wished I had done it back at the dealership but it never crossed my mind. They say that memory is the first thing to go and I can’t remember what the second is. Anyway we bid farewell to our hosts and hit the rooms to freshen up before heading into Memphis. Juan and Chuck had a hotel downtown and left us with plans to call them when we started in.
By 6:30 we were on the road. It was about 20 miles to Beale Street. It seemed like we were never going to get there. We missed every light between Collierville and Beale Street and believe me there were many to miss. On top of that the first parking garage we stopped at didn’t allow motorcycle. So we circled back out and made it one street over and found another one. We rounded the corner out of the garage and there stood Juan and Chuck. With a short walk and a visit with one of the locals giving us the run down on his life’s story, we turned the |
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Juan takes the prize. |
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Wished I’d done this back at the dealership! |
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Hidden Treasures! |
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corner into another world. The sweet soulful sounds oozing from a multitude of instruments behind club doors, mixed with the neon glow from signs in numbers as far as the eye could see, and the night came alive.
I must have looked like one of those tourist in New York City staring up at the skyscrapers as we made our way down the first block. We passed a group of firefighters standing n front of their engine at the crosswalk and someone, not sure who, in our group asked where Dyer’s was. They all pointed toward the direction we were headed. Once on the other side of the crossing the neon sign protruding |
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from the side of the building just ahead of me spelled out, one letter at a time, D-Y-E-R-’S. The night before, Glen told us whatever you do you have to get you a deep fried burger from Dyer’s. They’ve been making burgers since 1912, so the sign says, and from what I hear it’s the same grease. Needless to say it was as good as advertised. The onion rings were excellent to. Thanks Glen, excellent choice.
Back out on the sidewalk we were like kids in a candy store not know which goody to sample first. Finally Roy says “Y’all wanna hit B.B. Kings?” We all swapped looks and nods and away we went. A few minutes later and we’re pushing our way through the |
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B.B. King’s is Awesome! |
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First things first, a beer! |
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crowd trying to find a spot to land. The place was packed and the atmosphere was electric as the Blues wafted from the stage. While we were looking for a place to sit, Blind Mississippi Morris was just finishing and I wished we had been there in time to see his show. What little we did hear was pure Blues.
I spotted an empty table with a bench along the wall and headed for it. It wasn’t big enough for all of us but it was the only thing available. David and I stood while the others took a seat. We placed our orders and before our waiter was back with the drinks David spotted a group getting up to leave. He pounced on it and we moved to a table right next to the stage with enough seats for all of us. We couldn’t have picked a better place. In a few minutes the waiter was back with the drinks. With a group toast, the night was underway!
By the time the main entertainment of the night hit the stage the whole place was rockin’. The B.B. King All-stars brought the house down with song after song of Motown classics, with a little bit of soul, R&B and funk. The six man line-up grabbed you by the musical note and drug you along. I especially loved the Hammond organ and the way it made me feel like I had just stepped into church. Believe me, the worship service was uplifting.
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Words can’t describe! |
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Somewhere, nobody knows where, a bra makes it’s way to the dance floor. Some guy had it wrapped around his neck and he was feeling no pain while he sought dance partners from all points in the club. He was not disappointed as girl after girl, and I’m not sure but I think a few guys as well, joined him. That bra saw more action that night than anyone or anything.
The table of women behind us kept the dance floor hoping all night. I don’t think there was a man, or woman for that matter, that escaped them. The second floor had it’s rowdy’s as well sending shout after shout down to the band all night. At one point the bra ended up |
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The “Queen of Beale Street” takes the stage! |
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on the stage in front of the horn player within reach of Juan. Next thing I know David’s looking at me and I knew exactly what he was going for. I readied the camera just in time to catch a picture of him wrapping that bra around Chuck’s neck. Judging from the look on his face in the picture I think this is familiar territory for him. But, maybe it’s just me, I’ll let you decide.
The band finished the first set and was half way through the second when they introduced Ms. Pearl. known as the “Queen of Beale Street” this local girl gave a dynamic performance that was nothing less than theatrical. Her portrayal of Proud Mary and Private Dancer brought the energy level |
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The Latin Lover Strikes! |
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to a new high and had everybody shaking their tail feathers, including her own. At one point she spotted Juan sitting next to the stage and zeroed in on him. Once again I grabbed the camera and before I could say hold it, she commenced to giving him a lap dance, the likes I’ve never seen. Our table along with the entire crowd roared. She worked him over for several minutes before returning to the stage. Pam threw him a cigarette cause he sure looked spent.
Let me tell you, it don’t get no better than this! We had planned to work our way all around Beale Street but ended up staying at B.B.’s all night and not a one of us was disappointed. The night seemed to just fly by and before we knew it, it was 2:30 in the |
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It don’t get no better than this! |
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morning. We left Juan and Chuck to finish the night and from what I heard the next day, Ms. Pearl was just getting started with Juan. Not sure what all happened after we left and I won’t venture to speculate. All I know is that there was mention of “Big Daddy” shakin’ his booty. You’ll have to get him to spill the beans the next time you see him.
We made our way back to the bikes and as an added bonus to the already perfect evening, the garage attendant waved us on through. After a small misdirection and a short stop at Krystal for a corrected course we were headed toward Collierville. It was well pass 3:30 by the time we got back to the hotel and settled for the night.
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Thanks guys, we had a blast! |
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The next day found us headed toward Memphis again around 11:00 with a coordinated rendezvous with Chuck and Juan at Graceland. Once we found out the cost of a tour started at $27.00 we opted to just take a look from the cheap seats and get a group picture out by the gate. We were on the road by 1:30, tired and a little sad that it would soon be over, but we had plenty of good stories to tell and memories to look back on.
We made a few stops on the way back and each one was a chance to relive the events of the weekend with laughter all around. By the time Chick and I pulled in the garage it was a little passed 7:00. It wasn’t long before the |
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Sweet Soulful Sounds! |
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lack of sleep took it’s toll and the inviting bed won out.
Can’t say enough about the group of people we have. Each time we get together it’s a recipe for fun. The only thing that would have made it any better is if more of you could have made it. You definitely missed a good time. But, not to worry. Even though this is probably the last scheduled event for this year, Spring will be here before you know it and we’ll be at it again. I can’t wait to see what we come up with next!
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