parks
A Memphis musician keeping Blues alive on Beale Street
By Marius Payton at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· June 26, 2026
· 3 min read
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WSMV) - In a city known as the Home of the Blues, on a street lined with neon signs, barbeque joints and live music halls, sits a place Rodd Bland calls home. “For me, walking into B.B. King’s Blues Club, it’s second nature, like breathing. Whereas, you know, it’s the namesake of ...
Key takeaway (WSMV) - In a city known as the Home of the Blues, on a street lined with neon signs, barbeque joints and live music halls, sits a place Rodd Bland calls home.
Why this matters in The Nashville
While Rodd Bland's efforts to keep the Blues alive on Beale Street are commendable, Nashville residents may wonder what this means for Music City's own vibrant music scene. As a city with its own rich musical heritage, Nashville can learn from Memphis' experiences in preserving its iconic venues and supporting local musicians. The fact that Beale Street, once a thriving hub of Blues music, has seen its heyday come and go, serves as a cautionary tale for Nashville's own Broadway and its honky-tonk scene. Nashville's city government and local music community can take note of the importance of supporting and investing in its musical institutions, ensuring that the city's unique sound and character are preserved for future generations. By doing so, Nashville can continue to thrive as a music destination, while also honoring its own musical legacy.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WSMV) - In a city known as the Home of the Blues, on a street lined with neon signs, barbeque joints and live music halls, sits a place Rodd Bland calls home. “For me, walking into B.B. King’s Blues Club, it’s second nature, like breathing. Whereas, you know, it’s the namesake of ...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Marius Payton at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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