| Memphis blues music has a very rich and | | | | music is the jug. To replace the sound that an |
| interesting history that is packed with many of | | | | expensive bass guitar would make, people would |
| the biggest names in American music. Created in | | | | blow into various sized jugs to create a deep and |
| the 1920s and 1930s, Memphis blues music was | | | | hollow sound. Of course, some of the people in |
| created by musicians that lived in the area, like | | | | Memphis blues music were able to get their hands |
| Furry Lewis, Frank Stokes, John Estes and | | | | on traditional instruments such as violins, banjos |
| Memphis Minnie. At first, it was only popular in | | | | and mandolins. |
| vaudeville and medicine shows, but soon it quickly | | | | Memphis blues music never really featured any |
| grew to capture the interest of the entire nation. | | | | electric instruments until after World War II, when |
| Memphis blues music really got its start on Beale | | | | Memphis blues music musicians slowly started |
| Street, the place where the nightlife and culture | | | | buying and using them. Memphis blues music also |
| of Memphis was (and still is). There have been | | | | started to transform itself as new musicians |
| several books written, dedicated only to Memphis | | | | came onto the Memphis scene. This is because |
| blues music and Beale Street, including Goin Back | | | | many African Americans started to migrate away |
| to Memphis by James L. Dickerson, which came | | | | from impoverished rural areas in search of cities |
| out in the year 2000. | | | | and good jobs. Among those making the trek to |
| Memphis blues music gained a lot of popularity | | | | Memphis were Willie Nix, Ike Turner, Howlin Wolf |
| very fast, largely in part to its unique sound. | | | | and B.B. King. |
| Because many of the musicians were poor and | | | | Still, Memphis blues music remained confined to |
| could not afford to buy traditional instruments, | | | | the area of Memphis. That is, until Sun Records |
| they were forced to improvise using household | | | | took an interest in Memphis blues music and |
| items that were previously not known for their | | | | started signing local artists as fast as they could. |
| sound producing capabilities. For example, | | | | Eventually, Memphis blues music would go on to |
| washboards, kazoos and Jews harps were all | | | | influence rock and roll, modern jazz and rhythm |
| prevalent in early Memphis blues music. | | | | and blues music, and has been cited by several |
| Quite possibly the most unique and frequently | | | | famous musicians in their songs. |
| used odd instruments found in Memphis blues | | | | |