Memphis has got the Delta Blues

Clarksdale’s world-famous Ground Zero Blues Club shakin’ things up downtown

By Roger Stolle • Photography by Jay Adkins

Muddy Waters once sang that “the blues had a baby, and they named it rock ’n’ roll.” That baby may have been delivered in Memphis, but its proud parents hailed from the Magnolia State.

Now, once again, things are coming full-circle with a brand new Mississippi blues venue moving on up to the bright lights and big city of Memphis, Tennessee. It’s Ground Zero Blues Club number two, and it’s ready to boogie.

“Memphis rock and soul music is rooted in the blues, and we’re here to celebrate that,” explains Bill Luckett, co-owner of the new restaurant and club. “We’re offering customers the real deal—down-home blues, the Mississippi juke joint experience and great Southern food.”

Located at 158 Lt. George W. Lee Avenue (one street off Beale), the new Memphis venue comfortably holds over 200 blues fans and features live music most Wednesdays through Saturdays.

The original Ground Zero in Clarksdale opened its well-weathered doors in May of 2001, taking its brand from visiting tourists and music fans that nicknamed Clarksdale “Ground Zero for the blues.” Since opening its doors seven years ago, tourists from around the globe have beat a constant path to its door, and the business has been featured on CBS, 60 Minutes, CNN, Turner South, The Food Network, The Travel Channel and The Discovery Channel. It has also played host to film projects such as “Last of The Mississippi Jukes,” “Blues Divas” and “M For Mississippi.”

Luckett hopes to share some of the original location’s lucky mojo with the new Memphis spot by continuing down the same blues path started in Clarksdale. “Our mission is still to showcase the best of today’s Delta Blues musicians, those who carry on the tradition of Charley Patton, Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker,” says Luckett, adding, “We’re excited to bring that heritage to Memphis.”

For those who’ve visited the Clarksdale location (what Memphis manager Pete Thomas calls the “mothership”), the new venue’s musical line-up should come as no surprise. It’s an authentic, down-home mix of Delta and Memphis blues and boogie acts like Terry “Big T” Williams, Jimbo Mathus, Terry “Harmonica” Bean, Butch Mudbone, Bill “Howl-N-Madd” Perry and Eric Hughes. Other recent guests at the club have included James “T-Model” Ford, Ruby Wilson, Little Howlin’ Wolf and Preston Shannon.

Ground Zero Blues Club’s Memphis location is co-owned by Academy Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman, Memphis executive Howard Stovall and Memphis developer John Elkington. Acting as a team, they’ve worked with contractors and staff to build the ultimate blues venue from the ground up.

The inside of the building itself may not be as “juked up” looking as the Clarksdale location (yet), but it is well on it’s way with Christmas lights, vintage show posters and retro signage. The new Memphis-meets-the-Mississippi-Delta menu includes some signature dishes cooked up by veteran Memphis restaurateur Mac Edwards. “You can call it juke joint nouveau,” suggests Edwards. These soon-to-be classics include fried green tomato BLTs, sweet potato fries, Big Muddy chicken, Delta burgers, catfish and Memphis barbecue.

Most importantly for visiting music fans, the Peavey sound system, seating and dance floor at the new venue are all top-notch and designed with blues lovers in mind. It’s a great look and feel that mixes big club excitement with the intimacy of a classic Delta juke.

Visiting tourists should find Ground Zero Blues Club Memphis a nice break from the street-party crowds of modern-day Beale Street and a memorable spot to catch the best of the region’s thriving blues acts. No rock, no R&B. Just the real deal blues that made Mississippi famous, done Memphis style.

For information and music calendars see www.groundzerobluesclub.com. DM