Bright Lights of Memphis at the Commodore Hotel
As my lovely friend, Reid Davidson, would sing “I’ve seen the bright lights of Memphis and the Commodore Hotel”. We attended a wedding in Memphis over the weekend and it was so much fun. Memphis is a great weekend getaway from Atlanta. Our wedding invitation never arrived. We thought we might be getting one but apparently, the Post Office had a hard time reading the caligrapher’s handwriting. A text the Tuesday before the weekend wedding was our advance notice. We were ready for a quick Atlanta getaway weekend and just made it happen
Our first stop was the River Inn in downtown Memphis. We got a late start out of Atlanta and just barely caught the sunset from the hotel rooftop bar. What a view. After sunset, the bridge over the Mississippi River lights up with multi-colored lights. It is quite breathtaking. After sunset, we went downstairs to Paulette’s which is a fine-dining kind of restaurant. We chose to eat in the bar which was a bit more private. We both had a loverly redfish and crab entree. It was so good.
After a really nice breakfast at the hotel Saturday morning we got going with some sightseeing. Tim lived in Memphis from 1979-1980 and he wanted to see some of his old hangouts. However, we started at the new Bass Pro Shops which is right on the river. There are hotel rooms inside that have screen porches overlooking the store inside. Then we visited an architectural salvage store on South Front Street which had tons of stuff but nothing that worked for us. We stopped at several antique markets looking for items to decorate Tim’s pub. Then it was time for lunch at Central BBQ. We did not order well. Should have ordered the ribs but we tried to eat light and ordered chicken. The chicken was yummy but the ribs look delish. After lunch, we hit a vintage store. Then we stopped in at Murphy’s Oyster Bar for a beet. Well, half a beer. We split a Guinness as we knew we were going to be going all out Saturday night. Tim apparently spent quite a few nights at Murphys with his Memphis buddies in the early ’80s.
The wedding was lovely. The bride was gorgeous and so was her dress. Tim reconnected with his Memphis Mafia and life is good.
In Memory of Reid Davidson. Our Bestie and our favorite Musician.
Dixie ChickenSong by Little Feat
I’ve seen the bright lights of Memphis and the Commodore Hotel
And underneath a street lamp, I met a Southern Belle
Well, she took me to the river where she casts her spell
And in that southern moonlight, she sang the song so wellIf you’ll be my Dixie Chicken, I’ll be your Tennessee Lamb
And we can walk together down in Dixieland
Down in DixielandWell, we made all the hot spots, my money flowed like wine
And then that lowdown southern whiskey began to fog my mind
And I don’t remember church bells or the money I put down
On the white picket fence and boardwalk of the house at the edge of town
Oh, but boy do I remember the strain of her refrain
And the nights we spent together, and the way she called my nameIf you’ll be my Dixie Chicken, I’ll be your Tennessee Lamb
And we can walk together down in Dixieland
Down in DixielandWell, it’s been a year since she ran away
Guess that guitar player sure could play
She always liked to sing along, she’s always handy with a song
Then one night in the lobby of the Commodore Hotel
I chanced to meet a bartender who said he knew her well
And as he handed me a drink, he began to hum a song
And all the boys there at the bar began to sing alongIf you’ll be my Dixie Chicken, I’ll be your Tennessee Lamb
And we can walk together down in Dixieland
Down in DixielandSource: MusixmatchSongwriters: George Lowell T / Kibbee Martin FyodorDixie Chicken lyrics © Naked Snake Music, Naked-snake-music
