Author: paulryburn

This morning, I asked ChatGPT, “Conway Twitty or Merle Haggard?” The AI bot admitted I had a tough choice, with Conway being more romantic and Merle being more gritty.

Did you know you can take country line dancing lessons Downtown every Sunday 5 to 7? Just come on up to the Memphis Made taproom and instructor The Boss Lady will get you moving. The class is family friendly and $5 per person.

Today is National Cheese Pizza Day. If you’ve never had the cheese pizza with vodka cream sauce base at Aldo‘s Pizza Pies, let today be the day.

A 16-year-old has been charged in the 901 Day shooting on Beale Street and his mother has been charged with being an accessory after the fact.

RIP Giorgio Armani.

Jason and Travis Kelce have their own beer company and it’s valued at $200 million. When are we gonna see Garage Beer at the Saucer?

Saturday is wrestling night at the Redbirds. nWo Z-list star Buff Bagwell will appear. Enjoy pregame matches on the plaza beginning at 5 PM and a main event after the game.

A new 8-week trivia league begins at Momma’s this Monday. Grand prize includes

• Wiseacre brewery tour for four
• Four $25 Wiseacre gift cards
• Four tickets to the Nov. 5 Grizzlies vs. Rockets game

ALSAC, the fundraising arm of St. Jude, seeks a specialist in social media communications and engagement.

The Trumpster plans to sign an executive order reverting the Department of Defense to its former name, the Department of War. Yet this is the president who desperately wants to win a Nobel Peace Prize.

Thanks to those of you who donated in multiples of $6, I have the funds to stay at the Union Mission tonight and will avoid the storms rolling through. A third night in a row of 10+ hours sleep sounds like heaven. Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

The NFL regular season begins tonight as the Philadelphia Eagles meet the Dallas Cowboys. Kickoff is set for around 7:20 Memphis time and the broadcast will be on NBC.

Dallas fans – my recommended place for you to watch the game is Earnestine & Hazel’s, where you’ll have Allison to cheer on DEM BOYZ with. This is not your father’s E&H, with one 35-inch cathode-ray tube TV with wavy lines all over the screen. These days the haunted dive bar has 65-inch flat screens with all the game packages. Plus, burger and beer specials!

Philly fans, I recommend you watch the game at E&H too. You can join the other bartender Danielle in rolling her eyes at Allison’s fandom of a team that hasn’t been relevant in 30 years, other than in a “what’s Jerry Jones done now” kind of way.

There’ll be a rare Friday NFL game tomorrow as the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers travel to Sao Paolo, Brazil. 7 PM, YouTube.

The Peabody Hotel will celebrate 100 years at its Union Avenue location this afternoon. The festivities begin at 4:30.

In other hotel news, South Main’s Central Station Hotel has been listed for sale. Memphis Tourism CEO Kevin Kane says that sales are common in that industry and this is not a negative indicator for Memphis.

Don’t put those summer clothes away just yet. A high of 96 is predicted for Memphis tomorrow.

Today is Eat an Extra Dessert Day.

MPD seeks two people of interest in the Labor Day shooting on Beale Street.

Loflin Yard will host a speed dating event for singles in their 30s and 40s on Wednesday, October 15. They’re guaranteeing an equal number of men and women. I wonder how they can guarantee that? It reminds me of an episode of Leave it to Beaver where Ward and June made The Beav take dancing lessons. There were more boys than girls, and Beaver was at the end of the line. It looked like he might get out of dancing due to lack of a partner.

Then the instructor, who had to be 75 if she was a day, said, “Mr. Cleaver, you may have the honor of dancing with me.”

That’s all for now. Back tomorrow.

I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

Let’s have a look at college football games of interest this week. All games listed below are Central Time on Saturday.

• 20 Ole Miss at Kentucky, 2:30 PM, ABC
• East Tennessee State at 22 Tennessee, 2:30 PM, SEC Network
• South Florida at 13 Florida, 3:15 PM, SEC Network
• Arkansas State at Arkansas, 4:00 PM, SEC Network
• Memphis at Georgia State, 6:00 PM, ESPN+
• Louisiana Tech at 3 LSU, 6:30 PM, SEC Network
• 11 Arizona State at Mississippi State, 6:30 PM, ESPN2
• 15 Michigan vs. 18 Oklahoma, 6:30 PM, ABC
• UL Monroe at 21 Alabama, 6:45 PM, SEC Network

In other sports news, the Memphis Tigers basketball teams (women and men) will play home exhibition games against Arkansas on October 27. Yep, versus ex-Tigers coach John Calipari. It’s the St. Jude Tip-Off Classic.

Memphis Rap Tour is once again hiring tour guides.

The Redbirds host Rochester tonight at 6:45.

Music’s biggest one-album wonders

Back tomorrow with more news. Thanks for those of you who offered help getting my computer’s trackpad to be less annoying. So far nothing has fixed it. I’m gonna install an updated driver and see if that helps. Then I’m gonna go pay the $6 fee to get in the Union Mission for a shower, dinner, and sleep.

I gratefully accept tips:
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

Before we get started with the news, I have a question: Does anyone know a way to disable “tap-to-click” on an HP laptop?????

That’s the “feature” that causes the computer to treat it as a mouse button click when you touch the trackpad.

I HATE IT. It, in conjunction with the trembling I experience from early-stage Parkinson’s, tap-to-click has KILLED my productivity, dropping my typing speed from 45-50 words per minute to about 10. I’ve looked and looked and looked for a setting to turn off tap-to-click, but can’t find one.

If anyone has a solution, email me: paul.ryburn@gmail.com  I surely can’t be the only one with this issue.

And now, on to the news…

The little girl who went viral got to perform “Chickenhead” with Project Pat, but the Beale Street 901 Day celebration took several wrong turns. Videos of multiple fights on the street were uploaded to social media. About 10:15 PM there was a shooting at Beale and Main.

I’m now hearing PBR will return to Memphis around the 15th of this month.

The Flying Saucer will have half-price wings for Thursday Night Football this fall (7-10 PM).

Last night at Earnestine & Hazel’s, a couple tabbed out and left around 7:30 because they didn’t want to be in the building with the ghosts after dark. Oh for heaven’s sake. Simply respect that you’re in their home and they are unlikely to have a problem with you.

Olivia Ellen Lloyd and Chelsea Lovitt will perform 7-9 Saturday at South Main Sounds. Olivia is said to be an emerging country star.

The Memphis Symphony Orchestra will perform Brahms Symphony No. 1 at the Halloran Centre Thursday night.

Ugh, my least favorite book I was forced to read for high school English class is now a stage play. Austen’s Pride comes to the Orpheum September 9-10.

The burger special this week at Momma’s is the Tex-Mex: pico de gallo, avocado spread, pepper jack, and Momma’s mayo on a half-pound Angus beef patty.

Today is World Coconut Day. Good day for a pina colada.

The Redbirds host Rochester tonight at 6:45. Three weeks left in the regular season.

Back to the Future wraps up the DNA’s summer movie series at Slider Inn Downtown Wednesday evening. DNA members who show membership cards get 20% off food.

Learn the art of fermentation Saturday at Soul & Spirits Brewery. Sandor Katz, author of 6 books on the subject, will be your presenter.

There will be a celebration of the life of musician Earl “The Pearl” Banks tonight at 7 at Blues City Cafe.

The writers of the I Love Memphis Blog invite their readers to a happy hour Wednesday 4:30-6:30 at Belle Tavern.

That’s all I can take of this trackpad for one day. Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips:
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

Last week I mentioned that a Mitchell’s Breakfast Burritos location will be coming Downtown. Now they’ve announced where… the Rumba Room will be pulling double duty. During the morning and early afternoon hours, it’ll serve the burritos. In the evening, it’ll continue to serve the Latin food and music it’s so well known for.

RIP Arch Manning’s 2025 Heisman hopes.

Our Memphis Tigers rolled to a 45-10 victory over ‘Nooga yesterday.

Use this similar song finder to enhance your playlists. Playing at the chess club as I type this: “Californication” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The song finder recommends

• “Holiday” by Green Day
• “Alive” by Pearl Jam
• “The Pretender” by Foo Fighters

Let’s do one more: “Only the Good Die Young” by Billy Joel

• “Hot Blooded” by Foreigner
• “Ohio” by CSN&Y
• “Stay – Remastered” by Jackson Browne

We may not see PBR in local bars again for a while. Pabst contracts with a third-party brewery to brew its flagship Blue Ribbon beer, and I’m told the contract recently ran out without being renewed.

WREG has a preview of tomorrow’s 901 Day celebration on Beale.

Fun night at E&H last night… my friend Colbey’s band played upstairs last night. They were so original and refreshing and had the whole room chanting “ONE MORE SONG!” I’ll let you know next time they have a gig scheduled.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips:
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

I have first-hand knowledge of a donation need the Union Mission at 383 Poplar currently has: men’s underwear. They’ve been running out, causing men who take a shower late in the day to put back on the same pair of underwear they took off. They need all common sizes (medium-2XL) and styles (briefs, boxers, boxer briefs).

A semi truck went the wrong way across the I-55 bridge yesterday. Kudos to the cops who got the truck stopped and detained the driver before anyone got hurt.

BWOK BWOK. Chicken chicken. BWOK BWOK. Chickenhead. A 9-year-old karaoke queen who went viral will join Project Pat on stage at the Beale Street 901 Day celebration.

For those not familiar, 901 Day – September 1 – is a day of civic pride in Memphis. That day was selected because 901 is the local area code. Choose901 has a list of 901 Day events.

University of Memphis students, staff, and faculty, you’ve got some yumminess coming your way. Edge District hip-hop pizzeria Slim & Husky’s is opening a location on campus.

The restaurant family that includes the Majestic Grille and Cocozza American Italian seeks an event and catering specialist.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips:
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

The Farm Market Co-Op will open soon at 300 S. Main. southeast corner of Main and Pontotoc in the former Cupcake Cutie space. A Facebook post says they will have

• clean produce
• real dairy
• pasture-raised meats
• artisan goods
• homestead staples
• small batch sips

Check out the co-op’s website for more info and to meet some of the vendors.

It’s official folks… TSwift is off the market. Travis Kelce put a ring on it. Betcha Jason throws him one hell of a bachelor party.

Last night I ran into Pete the Trivia Guy who hosted trivia at Flying Saucer 2005-14… he’s still running a trivia night, although it’s not Downtown. It’s at Board to Beers, which is currently moving from its old location at Poplar and Humes into the McAlister’s Deli space near Poplar and Highland. Pete hopes to have his Thursday trivia nights up and running on September 20.

It’s National Banana Lovers Day. Celebrate with an Elvis special, the fried peanut butter and banana sandwich, at The Arcade.

Mitchell’s Breakfast Burritos is expanding to Downtown.

Big thanks to a friend who offered me his spare room last night… I sure was grateful to not be outside all night in 57 degrees in a T-shirt and shorts.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips:
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

We’ve got some chilly weather (for August) coming at us. The low tonight in Memphis is predicted to be 57, which would beat today’s previous record low of 58.

Thanks to clouds and rain, the high Thursday is expected to top out at only 72. That would be 18 degrees below normal and a record cool high for that date.

The Downtown Blue Monkey is hiring a prep cook/line cook.

Will your car perform better if you put premium gas in it? (SPOILER ALERT: For the vast majority of vehicles, the answer is a big fat NO. All it does is waste money.)

Melvin Bledsoe, founder of Blues City Tours, has died at 70.

Congratulations to Wonky’s, the candy store next to Alcenia’s on N. Main, on its recent 100 on its health inspection.

The Grizz will be Around Town during the month of September, including

• 9/1: 901 Day on Beale Street, 11 AM-7 PM
• 9/14: B.B. King’s 100th birthday on Beale Street, 2-6 PM
• 9/20: Grizzlies Day with the Redbirds, AutoZone Park, 1:30 PM
• 9/26: South Main Trolley Night, 6-8 PM
• 10/4: Open practice at FedExForum
• 10/6: Taste of the District at Health Sciences Park, 4-6 PM
• 10/18: Boo at the Ballpark, AutoZone Park, noon

Hilton Garden Inn across from the ballpark is hiring a food & beverage manager.

The I Love Memphis Blog is hosting a happy hour at The Brass Door Thursday from 4:30 to 6:30. They’ll give away 4 tickets to any remaining Redbirds game. They will also have a “Split the G” Guinness contest with prizes.

The pumpkin spice latte is back at Starbucks.

A women’s pro baseball league is coming next year.

Despite the cold, I’m staying out tonight. It’s Memphis trivia night at the Saucer and I think my chances of winning a gift certificate are pretty good.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips:
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

I need to start off this post with some IMPORTANT PBR NEWS. If you tried to order the best beverage in the world, Pabst Blue Ribbon, at a Memphis-area bar this past weekend, you were probably told they were out. This is an issue at the distributor level and not a matter of bars failing to order enough PBR. So, please, cut ’em some slack.

I’m told PBR will make its return Tuesday, although I don’t know what time.

Let’s have a look at this coming weekend’s college football games of interest to Memphians and readers of this blog.

Friday

• Auburn at Baylor, 7 PM, FOX
• Georgia Tech at Colorado, 7 PM, ESPN

Saturday

• 1 Texas at 3 Ohio State, 11 AM, FOX
• Syracuse at 24 Tennessee, 11 AM, ABC
• Mississippi State at Southern Miss, 11 AM, ESPN
• 8 Alabama at Florida State, 2:30 PM, ABC
• Alabama A&M at Arkansas, 3:15 PM, SEC Network
• Chattanooga at Memphis, 3:30 PM, ESPN+
• SE Missouri State at Arkansas State, 6 PM, ESPN+
• 9 LSU at 4 Clemson, 6:30 PM, ABC
• Georgia State at 21 Ole Miss, 6:45 PM, SEC Network

Sunday

• 6 Notre Dame at 10 Miami, 6:30 PM, ABC

Monday

• TCU at North Carolina, 7 PM, ESPN. Bill Belichick’s college coaching debut.

Loflin Yard will host a Vols watch party at 11 on Saturday. Game on big screen TVs with sound, brunch menu, family-friendly. Now, readers, please don’t hate on Loflin for this – they’re providing a valuable service. They’re providing a space for those orange-and-white gingham-wearing ass-clown UT fans to gather so they don’t crap up the rest of Downtown’s bars.

Today is Motorist Consideration Monday. From Checkiday: “Motorist Consideration Monday is dedicated to being considerate, patient, and courteous while traveling, no matter what one’s mode of transportation is—whether it be by car, bike, public transportation, or even by walking.” This holiday is not observed in Memphis.

Ladies R&B Kickback comes to the Orpheum Friday. $63.45-$207.65.

Encanto is the free movie this week at Slider Inn Downtown 7:30 PM Wednesday, part of the Downtown Neighborhood Association’s summer movie series. Show your DNA membership card for 20 percent off food.

Alley Dayz returns to Barboro Alley at Main this Wednesday 5:30-7:30 PM. Live music, local vendors, discounts at local neighborhood hotspots. 50 people will receive tickets for a free drink from Belle Tavern – look for the DMC staff in blue shirts handing these out.

Back tomorrow with more news.

I gratefully accept tips:
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com

Bardog had a new dessert on the specials board yesterday. Of course, I had to try it.

Blueberry bread pudding! A huge slice of it, too! The whipped cream had a lemon flavor that complemented the blueberries well. It’s good to see new chef Nick add his touch to the menu.

To make sure everyone gets max enjoyment from the taste of their food, Bardog has gone nonsmoking both upstairs and down during weekend brunch hours.

They also have a new playlist during Saturday brunch. It’s called Golden Hour and it’s a Spotify list.

I’ll be back tomorrow with that college football preview and whatever other news I can find.

I gratefully accept tips:
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
Apple Pay: paul.ryburn@gmail.com