of Memphis in June. Sean, a buddy of mine came down from New Jersey to visit. Click on any image to see larger versions as well.
While he was here we tore up Tn. Interstate and side roads. While making a quick trip to Memphis, I thought we should swing on down to Beale Street to see what was shake’n.
We met Gino sitting at a corner bistro checking people in the door. 
Gino is also a very talented artist in his own right. He whipped out a portfolio of his work. Very talented fellow to be honest. Most of the images were pencil sketches.
We talked a while then moved on. We did catch up with Gino later at shift change, where he let someone else take over his spot.
We moved on down the street, and met up with JOE [green hat]. This guy was a walking encyclopedia. He rambled off more facts about the building we were standing in front of, and some of the history of Beale street and it’s folks, than I could have even dreamed of learning.
After spending some time with Joe, we thought we’d hike on down to the river front, near Mud Island.
While walking under an overpass, Sean spotted Larry. We stopped for a minute and chatted with him as well.
Man it was HOT outside.
One word of caution. HYDRATE while hoofing it in Memphis on a muggy hot day 
It was easy walking down to the River Front. Keyword, DOWN. Making it up back to Beale street, cameras in tow, was sump’n else. 
Larry was a quiet fella.
Not much too say. He may have been thinking to himself, what in the world are these knuckleheads doing out walking the hot streets Mid-Day?
We walked down along the river on the street side, and never got to the water. Didn’t seem like much was going on, and we were at least 1/2 mile from Mud-Island anyway.
We cut back up the block, and Sean wanted to run into a corner store to get something to put on for sun. He was beginning to get a little pink from that Summer Sun
While Sean was getting some lotion, I met up with Calvin near some trollies. I really think Sean was just chilling out, and cooling off on me inside that store.
Love that Stogie Calvin was puff’n on. 30 seconds later, he was gone, taking a peek over his shoulder all the while puff’n that baby.
Around this time, I was starting to get really hungry. Breakfast had been several hours ago, and I knew right up the street, some great food awaited us.
Sean was more of a RIB guy, but I wanted pulled BBQ.
We moved on into one of the first places I could get to, while I could still stand.
Did I say it was HOT OUTSIDE?
We sat down and I shoveled in some BBQ and munched on fries. Yep, that hit the spot. Man did I need that. Sucked down like 100 glasses of Sweat Tea as well. It seemed like 100 anyway.
On the way out of there, I asked one of the employees for a quick shot. Which reminds me. I have to send a print to him this week.
I wish I could remember his freak’n name. Real polite guy too, as were all I met.
Matter of fact, I liked that BBQ sandwich so much, I brought home some BBQ sauce on my shorts.
As my wife would say, “Can’t take you anywhere”.
Now we had to walk off lunch, which I didn’t mind at all. I felt like I had ate half that pig.
Met this charming young lady selling drinks right outside next door where we feasted on BBQ. I can’t remember her name either, but she was a delight to talk to.
One more stop down the street, and we met up with this guy. I think he was a club barker, or that’s what I call ‘em. You know.
Hey folks, great food and drinks right here. Step on inside.
Real kewl dude. He got side tracked though, when two girls to walk up near us. ;)
What cha going to do?
Then we met up with ???? I have no clue to his name either, but he was Very, Very, Very Deep.
He got to reciting some verses of things he wrote. I mean this stuff just rolled off his tongue like water.
I caught like every 5th word.
I bailed out on the conversation the best I could, and we made tracks for the car in the parking garage, and left Memphis in the rearview mirror.
