Memphis Music Hall of Fame

04/11/2026

Today in Memphis Music history, Isaac Hayes won his Academy Award for Best Original Song, "Theme from Shaft," on April 10, 1972. This win made him the first African-American to win an Oscar in a non-acting category.

03/16/2026

🎉 Happy Birthday to Memphis legend Al Bell!

A visionary behind Stax Records and a 2014 Memphis Music Hall of Fame inductee, Al Bell helped shape the sound that shaped the world. His influence, his ear, his storytelling — pure Memphis soul. https://memphismusichalloffame.com/inductee/albell/

Celebrating a true icon today. 💙🎶

03/12/2026

Bobby Rush, Eric Gales and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram will perform as part of a musical tribute to "Sinners" during the Oscars ceremony. See link below ⬇️

📸 Denny Simmons / The Commercial Appeal

03/07/2026

Memphis Music’s biggest night of the year is coming! Save the date for Friday, October 2, at The Cannon Center for the Performing Arts for the 2026 Memphis Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, where we honor the legends who shaped the sound of our city and the world. This year’s inductees will be announced in May—stay tuned for a lineup you won’t want to miss.

03/06/2026

03/06/2026

Since 2015, the Porretta Soul Festival has co-produced, in collaboration with DD & Company Producciones of Las Palmas, to bring the heart of Memphis soul to the Maspalomas Costa Canaria Soul Festival—spotlighting some of the most iconic Memphis artists on an international stage.

Last week, Maspalomas Costa Canaria Soul Festival inaugurated its new Boulevard de las Estrellas, transforming the promenade to San Agustín Beach into a permanent tribute to the festival’s legacy and the artists who have shaped it. As the festival celebrates its tenth anniversary, this boulevard stands as a powerful testament to the cultural impact the event has built over the past decade, becoming Spain’s largest soul festival and one of Europe’s premier celebrations of the genre.

We are honored that five of the first nine plaques unveiled recognize Memphis talent:
The Memphis Music Hall of Fame Band
Wendy Moten
Chick Rodgers
Bobby Rush
Willie Walker

Their names now live permanently along the shores of Gran Canaria, a reminder that the Memphis Sound continues to resonate around the world.

The Maspalomas Costa Canaria Soul Festival—presented in collaboration with the Porretta Soul Festival—returns July 17–19, 2026, carrying forward a shared mission: to celebrate, elevate, and spread the music of Memphis to audiences everywhere.

03/02/2026

Today we celebrate the birthday of Willie Mitchell, one of the great architects of Memphis music. A gifted trumpeter, producer, and visionary, he crafted the warm, unmistakable Hi Records sound and helped launch classics that still echo around the world.

Here’s to the man who made Memphis soul unforgettable.

https://memphismusichalloffame.com/inductee/williemitchell/

03/01/2026

Meet one of the newest members of the Memphis Music Hall of Fame— Art Gilliam. A true Memphis trailblazer, Gilliam has spent his life breaking barriers in media, business, and community leadership.

Born in Nashville and raised in Memphis, he became the first African American writer at The Commercial Appeal and the first African American on‑air reporter and anchor on Memphis television at WMC‑TV. After earning degrees from Yale University and the University of Michigan, he returned home to shape the city’s media landscape.

In 1977, he founded Gilliam Communications, Inc. and purchased WLOK, making it the first African American‑owned radio station in Memphis, in Tennessee, and in the entire Southeast. Under his leadership, WLOK became a powerhouse for gospel music and community engagement, hosting beloved events like the annual "Stone Soul Picnic."

02/27/2026

Happy Birthday to MMHOF Inductee Johnny Cash, one of country music's biggest stars and a true American icon. He would have turned 94 years old today.
https://memphismusichalloffame.com/inductee/johnnycash/

02/19/2026

Did you hear the good news? Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum has been named one of USA TODAY's 10Best Music Museums of 2026!

The Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum has once again been voted among America's top music museums in a poll conducted by USA TODAY.

02/08/2026

It’s the LAST DAY to vote, Memphis — this is it. Before the Super Bowl kicks off and everyone settles in for the big game, take one minute to make your voice count for the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum, nominated for Best Music Museum in USA TODAY 10Best's Readers’ Choice Awards.

You can vote once today, and today is the final chance. Every single vote could be the one that pushes Memphis over the top. Let’s show the nation that nobody brings pride, passion, and hometown spirit like we do — on the field and in our music.

👉 Vote here: https://10best.usatoday.com/qr/55786/

01/27/2026

Are you looking for something to do? Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum and Memphis Music Hall of Fame are open today!