Memphis In May
Location(s)	Memphis, Tennessee
Years active	1977-Present
Founded by	Memphis In May Events Committee
Date(s)	May 1 - May 31
Genre(s)	All
Website	http://memphisinmay.org

Memphis in May is a month long festival held in Memphis, Tennessee. Memphis is a City in the southwest corner of Tennessee, and the County seat of Shelby County. Also 1977 (album by Ash. Year 1977 ( MCMLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays Events 305 - Diocletian and Maximian retire from the office of Roman Emperor. Events 1279 BC - Rameses II (The Great (19th dynasty becomes pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. Memphis is a City in the southwest corner of Tennessee, and the County seat of Shelby County. The festival itself is split into four main events: The Beale Street Music Festival, the kick-off event which showcases a mix of local and national music acts, International Week, a group of events dedicated to the country that is sponsored that year, The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, one of the most popular barbecue contests in the country, and the Sunset Symphony, a night of classical music. barbeque block party Kansas cityjpg|thumb|right|275px|A barbecue on a trailer at a Block party in Kansas City. Classical music is a broad term that usually refers to mainstream music produced in or rooted in the traditions of Western liturgical and Secular music This event marked its 30th anniversary in May 2006. An anniversary (from the Latin anniversarius, from the words for year and to turn meaning (returning yearly known in English since c. May 2006 was a month with thirty-one days The following events also occurred during the month

The Beale Street Music Festival

The Beale Street Music Festival is a three day music festival that has both a mix of big-name stars performing side by side with local musical acts. Held during the first weekend of May in the city's Tom Lee Park at the foot of Beale Street, it is considered to be the kick-off event of the entire Memphis in May celebration. Tom Lee Park is a city park located to the immediate west of downtown Memphis, Tennessee, overlooking the Mississippi River. It typically hosts 100,000+ people for each of the first two nights of the event, and usually quite large crowds for the ending big-name finales on Sunday night. The festival was added a year after Memphis in May was created. Its history can be traced back to the 1800s, when African-American musicians throughout the South would come to Beale Street and perform.

Lineups by year

International Week

Every year the festival sets its theme around a different country. Ben Kweller (born 16 June 1981, San Francisco, California) is an American rock Musician. Ken Brown or Kenny Brown may refer to Ken Brown (filmmaker Ken Brown (golfer (born 1957 Scottish golfer and BBC golf broadcaster Relient K is an American rock band formed in Canton Ohio Billy Lee Riley (born October 5, 1933) is a Rockabilly Musician, Singer, Record producer and Songwriter. STS9 ( Sound Tribe Sector 9) is an Instrumental band who are known for their live performances G Love & Special Sauce is a three member alternative hip-hop band from Philadelphia Pennsylvania. For the band see Saliva (band; for the village in Azerbaijan see Səliva. The Offspring (sometimes referred to simply as Offspring) are a popular and influential American Smile Empty Soul is a Post-grunge band from Santa Clarita, California. Trapt (træp't is a rock band that formed in Los Gatos California in 1997. Chaka Khan (born March 23, 1953) is a multiple Grammy Award -winning American singer known for hit songs such as "I'm Every Woman" "I Feel Jonathan (Johnny Clegg, born June 7, 1953 in Rochdale (near Manchester) Lancashire, ( UK Juluka was a South African music band formed in 1969 by Johnny Clegg and Sipho Mchunu. Savuka was a band formed in 1986 by English -born South African Johnny Clegg after the disbanding of his first band Juluka. Joss Stone (born Jocelyn Eve Stoker on 11 April 1987 is an English soul and R&B Singer-songwriter and actress. 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Fuel is any material that is burned or altered in order to obtain energy Sister Hazel is a musical group from Gainesville Florida, whose style blends elements of Alternative rock, folk, and Southern rock. Puddle of Mudd is an American rock band from Kansas City, Missouri, United States. For the punk/country band named Lucero see Lucero (band Lucero (born Lucero Hogaza León on August 29, 1969 in Mexico Robert Earl Keen Junior (born January 11 1956 in Houston Texas) is a Texan Singer-songwriter. Jerry Lee Lewis (born September 29, 1935) is an American Rock and roll and Country music Singer, Songwriter Doug E Fresh is the Stage name of Douglas E Davis (born September 17 1966) an American rapper, Record Anthony Hamilton may refer to Anthony Hamilton (musician (born 1971 American R&B/soul singer Anthony Hamilton (snooker player (born 1971 Robert "Wolfman" Belfour (born September 11 1940, Holly Springs, Mississippi) is an American Blues Musician Eric Sardinas is an American Blues-rock Guitarist born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 1970 Bernard Allison (born 25 November 1965, Chicago, Illinois) is a Blues Guitarist based out of Minneapolis, The Bar-Kays are a popular soul, R&B, and Funk group which began performing in 1966 and continue to perform today although with only one Foo Fighters is an American Alternative rock and Post-grunge band formed by singer/guitarist Dave Grohl in 1995 Albert Austin "Sonny" Burgess (born May 28 1931, on a farm near Newport, Arkansas to Albert and Esta Burgess is a Guitarist Drive-By Truckers are a Rock band based in Athens Georgia, though three out of five members (Mike Cooley Patterson Hood and Shonna Tucker originally hail Charlie Daniels (born October 28, 1936 in Wilmington, North Carolina) is an American musician famous for his contributions to Milton "Little Milton" Campbell Jr ( September 7, 1934 &mdash August 4, 2005) was a Blues and Soul vocalist and The Steve Miller Band is an influential American Blues rock band led by Steve Miller on Guitar and lead vocals Josh Kelley (born January 30, 1980) is an American Singer-songwriter. Béla Fleck (born July 10, 1958 in New York City, New York) is an American Virtuoso Banjo player Béla Fleck and the Flecktones is a multi- Grammy winning primarily instrumental group from the USA, that draws equally on bluegrass, fusion Gov't Mule (pronounced Government Mule is a Southern rock / Jam band formed in 1994 as an Allman Brothers Band Side project. Of a Revolution, better known as OAR, is an American Rock band consisting of Marc Roberge ( vocals, Guitar) Tone Lōc (sometimes alternatively spelled Tone Loc or Tone-Lōc, with the second part of the name regardless of spelling pronounced like the "loc" in Three 6 Mafia (formerly Triple 6 Mafia) is an Academy-Award winning American Rap group originating from Memphis, Tennessee James "Super Chikan" Johnson (born 16 February 1951) is an American Blues Musician based in Clarksdale, For the American writer and educator see Richard Malcolm Johnston; for the baseball player see Dick Johnston; for the judge see Richard Johnston (judge Tinsley Ellis ( 1957 - a Blues musician was born in Atlanta Georgia and spent his early years in Florida. 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The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of Alternative country group Morris "Blind Mississippi Morris" Cummings (born April 6, 1955) is an American Blues artist born in Clarksdale Mississippi. Seether is a Post-grunge band from South Africa. They are currently signed to Wind-up Records. Caitlin Cary (* October 28, 1968 in Seville Ohio) is an Alt-country musician originally from Seville Ohio, United States 3 Doors Down is an American rock band formed in 1994 in by Brad Arnold ( Vocals and drums) Matt Roberts ( Guitar Jerry Lee Lewis (born September 29, 1935) is an American Rock and roll and Country music Singer, Songwriter Willie Nelson (born April 30, 1933) is an American country Singer-songwriter and Actor. Sheryl Suzanne Crow (born February 11, 1962) is an American Singer-songwriter and Musician. Stephen Lawrence "Steve" or "Stevie" Winwood (born 12 May 1948 in Handsworth, Birmingham) is an English Singer-songwriter Pinetop Perkins (born Joe Willie Perkins; July 7 1913) is an American Blues Musician. For the American writer and educator see Richard Malcolm Johnston; for the baseball player see Dick Johnston; for the judge see Richard Johnston (judge Susan Tedeschi (pronounced te-DES-ki ( November 9, 1970 in Boston Massachusetts) is an American Blues and soul artist Benjamin Chase "Ben" Harper (born October 28, 1969) is an American Musician. The Gap Band are a US R&B, Funk and Soul music group who rose to fame during the 1970s and 1980s with their heavily-charged dance anthems Popa Chubby (born Ted Horowitz is a New York Blues singer and guitar player Koko Taylor sometimes spelled 'KoKo Taylor' (born Cora Walton 28 September 1928, in Shelby County Tennessee) is an American Blues Jack Johnson may refer to Jack Johnson (boxer (1878–1946 African-American boxer Jack Johnson (musician (born 1975 Hawaii-born singer-songwriter-director-surfer RatDog (often misspelled Ratdog and also known as Bob Weir and RatDog, is an American rock band Anthony Gomes (born in 1970 is a Canadian Blues and Blues-rock Guitarist and Singer. Cory Branan is an American Singer-songwriter who was born in Southaven Mississippi. Ingram Hill is a rock band from Memphis, Tennessee. In the summer of 2000, after attending the University of Memphis childhood Milton "Little Milton" Campbell Jr ( September 7, 1934 &mdash August 4, 2005) was a Blues and Soul vocalist and Morris "Blind Mississippi Morris" Cummings (born April 6, 1955) is an American Blues artist born in Clarksdale Mississippi. Graham Colton is a singer-songwriter from Oklahoma City OK most widely known for his hit song " Best Days " featured on Fox 's ' American Donna the Buffalo is an American band from Trumansburg, New York. For the punk/country band named Lucero see Lucero (band Lucero (born Lucero Hogaza León on August 29, 1969 in Mexico ZZ Top (ˌziːziːˈtɒp is an American rock band formed in late 1969 in Houston Texas. James Todd Smith (born January 14 1968 better known as LL Cool J, is an American Rapper and actor Jimmy Thackery (born May 19 1953, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is a Blues Singer and Guitarist. Hubert Sumlin (born November 16, 1931) is a Blues guitar player known as both a solo artist and central element in Howlin' Wolf 's backup band North Mississippi Allstars is a Blues - rock / jam band from Hernando Mississippi, founded in 1996 Robert Randolph & The Family Band is a Multicultural American Funk and soul band composed of Robert Randolph Marcus Randolph (drums Jim Dickinson is an American Record producer, pianist and singer For the motor vehicle see Ford Model T T-Model Ford (born James Lewis Carter Ford in Forest, Mississippi, 1924 Nickel Creek is an American acoustic music trio Although the group's music has roots from bluegrass, the trio describes itself as "progressive acoustic" Cross Canadian Ragweed is an American Country music quartet The band's name comes from three of the members' last names Grady Cross, Cody Canada Morris "Blind Mississippi Morris" Cummings (born April 6, 1955) is an American Blues artist born in Clarksdale Mississippi. Billy Lee Riley (born October 5, 1933) is a Rockabilly Musician, Singer, Record producer and Songwriter. Matt Nathanson (born 28 March 1973 in Lexington Massachusetts) is a Singer-songwriter whose work is a blend of folk and rock A week of events and publicity, starting the day after the music fest, is dedicated to this country and it showcases the local foods and entertainment of that location. While International Week provides a learning experience for the community at large, the core is a comprehensive educational program for area youth in public and private schools and home-schooled students throughout Memphis and Shelby County. The goal of International Week is for area students, by the time they graduate from high school, to have had the opportunity to experience the customs and cultures of twelve different countries from around the world. Two countries — Japan and The Netherlands — have been featured twice. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands The most recent Memphis in May celebration, during 2007, featured Spain. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula.

The country of Turkey, which has been chosen as the featured country for the upcoming celebration in 2008, marks the first selection from the Middle East since Israel was honored 25 years earlier. Turkey (Türkiye known officially as the Republic of Turkey ( is a Eurasian Country that stretches For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Israel topics.

Countries previously honored:

The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest

History

Although the WCBCC had a small start in 1978, with only 20 teams, it rapidly grew. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Turkey (Türkiye known officially as the Republic of Turkey ( is a Eurasian Country that stretches Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Costa Rica, officially the Republic of Costa Rica ( Spanish: Costa Rica or República de Costa Rica,) is a Country in Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Korea is a geographic area composed of two sovereign countries a civilization and a former state situated on the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Argentina topics. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Morocco (المغرب "al-Maghrib" officially the Kingdom of Morocco (المملكة المغربية is a country located in North Africa Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic (República Portuguesa is a country on the Iberian Peninsula. Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar |utc_offset = -2 to -4 |time_zone_DST = BRST |utc_offset_DST = -2 to -5 |cctld Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 The Kingdom of Thailand (ˈtaɪlænd ราชอาณาจักรไทย, râːtɕʰa-ʔaːnaːtɕɑ̀k-tʰɑj Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar) Côte d'Ivoire (ˌkoʊt divˈwɑː(r ' in English, kot diˈvwaʀ in French) or Ivory Coast, officially the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, is a Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar) Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar) This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) The Republic of Kenya is a country in East Africa. It is bordered by Ethiopia to the north Somalia to the northeast Tanzania to the south Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Year 1984 ( MCMLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar) The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America. Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Israel topics. Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands Year 1981 ( MCMLXXXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 This article is about the country of Egypt For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Egypt topics. Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) Venezuela (ˌvɛnəˈzweɪlə) officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (Spanish República Bolivariana de Venezuela) is a country on the Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar) Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar) Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page Also 1977 (album by Ash. Year 1977 ( MCMLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. The contest drew 50 teams in 1979, 80 in 1980, and 180 teams from nine states in 1981. It has now grown to be the largest pork barbecue competition in the world. ^[2] More than 250 teams from 20+ states and several countries compete, and an estimated 90,000 people attend the competition. Media from around the world, including the BBC and The Food Network, come to town to cover the event. Food Network is a cable network that airs specials and recurring (episodic programs about food and cooking

Credit for the original idea of a barbecue contest goes to Rodney Baber, chairman of the Memphis In May events committee in 1977, and his co-worker Jack Powell, Tennessee's reigning chili champ at the time. barbeque block party Kansas cityjpg|thumb|right|275px|A barbecue on a trailer at a Block party in Kansas City.

The original champion at the first competition was Bessie Louise Cathey, who won $500 for her prize, a sizable return for her $12 entry fee. Today, the prizes for each event range from $300 to $10000 for the main cooking competition, and from $1000 to $7000 for the ancillary contests. Today's entry fees range from $700-$2600 just for renting the necessary booth space, and an extra $60 per competition entry. Some teams regularly budget amounts in excess of $15000 just for the competition and booth. ^[3]

Because of this, most teams are regularly sponsored by corporations. In 1984, Schering-Plough HealthCare began sponsoring teams for Tennessee's leading politicians. Al Gore attended the competition several times when he was a senator and once as vice president. Other sponsors include Gwatney motors, who has their own regular barbecue team, and the Terex corporation. Terex Corporation is a diversified global manufacturer of a broad range of Heavy equipment for a variety of industries including construction infrastructure quarrying

In 1989, when MIM officials discovered that there was a feast in Honolulu which earned the title of "largest barbecue" in the Guinness Book of Records, they calculated the amount of food prepared at the WCBCC. The total was 55297 pounds of pork, and thus earned the WCBCC a record in the 1990 edition. ^[4]

Food Events

The competition has three official meat categories: pork ribs, pork shoulder, and whole hog. There is also the "Patio Porkers" competition, which encourages up to 40 new teams (who have not previously competed in the WCBCC) to enter. ^[5]

There are ancillary food contests, including:

• Anything But - This contest refers to "Anything but Pork" and you are allowed to cook anything you like. There are subcategories to this competition, including: Beef, Poultry, Seafood, and Exotic.
• Sauce - One of the most entered ancillary contests, this includes subcategories of Tomato, Vinegar, and Mustard.
• Hot Wings - Judged on flavor and "heat".
• People's Choice Award - A relatively recent competition, this is more of an event than a contest. People can pay a small fee ($3) and sample five small selections from different competitors. Since normally the competitors booths are invitation only, this allows the general public to try a wide variety of barbecue. Tasters are on-hand to explain how to properly taste and judge the barbecue, and the people can return multiple times to try different foods from different teams. This contest is limited to 50 teams entering, due to the amount of barbecue that is produced and must be handled.
• Baked Beans - A simple contest for the best side dish (coleslaw not withstanding).

Only wood and charcoal cooking is allowed at the event, no gas or any other sort of heat system is allowed to be used^[5].

Special Events

• Ms. Piggie - Teams dress up contestants as pigs, and then perform songs or skits on stage.
• Best Booth - Booths are judged on design, originality and connection with the honored country.
• T-Shirt Design - Shirts are judged on design, originality and connection with the honored country.
• Cooker Caravan - The Cooker Caravan provides the public a behind the scenes look at competition barbecue by offering guided tours to teams in each championship category. ^[5]

Winners by year

2008 Results

Sunset Symphony

The Sunset Symphony is usually a free or low priced event held on a single stage at Tom Lee Park, during the Saturday evening of the last full weekend in May. Tom Lee Park is a city park located to the immediate west of downtown Memphis, Tennessee, overlooking the Mississippi River. The concert is the largest annual performance event of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, and serves as a closing event for the MIM festivities. Featured guest performers, such as Stax recording artist Mavis Staples during the thirtieth anniversary event in 2006, or The Temptations in 2007, sometimes join the orchestra. Stax Records is an American record label founded in 1957 originally based out of Memphis Tennessee. Mavis Staples (born July 10, 1939 in Chicago Illinois) is an American Rhythm and blues and Gospel singer and Civil rights The Temptations (sometimes abbreviated as The Temps or The Tempts) are a Grammy -winning vocal group that achieved fame as one of the most successful . Sponsorship of the concert varies from year to year as well, with past sponsors including SunTrust Banks and Regions Financial Corporation. SunTrust Banks Inc ( is an American Bank holding company. The largest subsidiary is SunTrust Bank Regions Financial Corporation is a publicly held company based in Birmingham Alabama, USA, with the corporate headquarters at the Regions Center.

References

External links

• http://www.memphisinmay.org Official Website.
• Memphis in May Information -- Includes Dates, Events, and More