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Saint Blues Guitar Workshop and the non-profit Memphis Music Foundation have joined forces to showcase some of Memphis’s best emerging artists at the National Association of Music Merchants Summer conference in Nashville, Tennessee next week. The Saint Blues Memphis Music Speakeasy is scheduled for Friday, July 17^th at B.B. Kings Blues Club, 152 2^nd Ave. North from 6:00pm-Midnight. In honor of the 25^th anniversary of Saint Blues Guitar Workshop, the Speakeasy pays homage to the boutique guitar manufacturer’s fundamental vision to cater to musicians’ needs from garage to stage. 

“As the history of Memphis music and its effect on the rest of the world is something we are proud to be a part of, and associated with, we are equally excited to join with another important Memphis organization dedicated to furthering the cause of music in our historic city,” explained Brian Halley, Director of Sales and Marketing.  From the days to where the “Southern cross the yellow dog” to Elvis, to today’s River City Tan Lines, we support the artists and music of Memphis and the Delta region, and equally support the Memphis Music Foundation.

Saint Blues produces a line of vintage style guitars and basses distributed through over 150 independent dealers around the United States and overseas. The manufacturer’s NAMM booth

(# 1323) presence will feature the complete line of St Blues model guitars, live performances and demonstrations.

“The Memphis Music Foundation is dedicated to the success of Memphis music. Showcasing emerging artists at Summer NAMM is a wonderful opportunity to spotlight our present-day talent while also supporting our city’s largest instrument manufacturer, Saint Blues. Theirs is a success story that displays independence, creativity and quality product – characteristics that reflect the essence of Memphis music past and present,” stated Foundation president Dean Deyo.

Saint Blues Memphis Music Speakeasy will feature performances from John Paul Keith and the 1,4,5’s (Fat Possum Records), Jeremy Stanfill (Ten Star Records) and Ryan Peel. The evening is a partnership with the Memphis Music Foundation, Vintage Guitar Magazine and True Fire TV.

History and Background of Saint Blues                                www.saintblues.com

The roots of St. Blues started in the 1960’s, when Tom Keckler (also known as TK) went to work for Mike Ladd’s Guitar City.  Mike was well known in the Memphis music scene.  He had gone to high school and played with Greg and Duane Allman but was unable to join them in The Allman Joys. However, he was in a band call The Breakers which was so popular at the time that The Yardbirds opened for them when they played Memphis. Mike customized guitars and soon he and TK built a reputation for some of the best custom work in the country. People like Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page were customers of Mike’s.  Page liked what they had done so much he asked them to go on tour and tech for him. Many other guitar legends followed over the years. The shop, located across the street from Graceland, ended up building a special guitar for Elvis as a birthday present from his dad.  This one-of-a-kind guitar can be seen played by Elvis in his “Elvis, Live from Hawaii” video.

After a long illness, Mike closed Guitar City in 1972. TK moved his custom shop to Strings & Things, the legendary Memphis music store founded by Chris Lovell and Charlie Lawing.  In 1978, TK left Memphis to hook up with Tom Anderson and David Schecter turning Schecter Guitar Research from a parts supplier to a guitar company.  In 1983 he moved back to Memphis rejoining Chris and Charlie to build custom guitars for Strings and Things. These first generation guitars were called S&T Custom Workshop Guitars. Dealers were wild for the guitars but not for the name. The name was changed to Saint Blues in 1984 and the brand was born. 

The first original guitar prototype designed for St. Blues was the Bluesmaster. Its unique shape, vintage appearance and playability created a lot of interest from players. The list of Bluesmaster players includes U2’s Bono on the Rattle and Hum album, Elliot Easton of the Cars, Eric Clapton, Marshall Crenshaw, Jeff Carlisi of .38 Special, Buck Dharma of Blue Oyster Cult, Scott Page of Pink Floyd and Toto, Billy Squier, Martin Briley, Elvin Bishop, Joe Walsh and Glenn Frey of the Eagles, Dave Edmunds, Albert King, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and many more. 

The guitars were a critical success. However, in 1989, with the dollar at an historic low against the Yen, St. Blues, single sourced by ESP in Japan, was priced out of the market.  Without the capital to retool elsewhere, they mothballed the line but continued to build custom guitars.

Interest in the line has never waned, with sales of vintage St. Blues models on eBay going for record prices.  In 2004, Vintage Guitar Magazine wrote several articles about these guitars. With Jeff Carlisi singing its praises above all of his other guitars these articles created a new demand.  Players and dealers alike wouldn’t let it go. In 2006 St. Blues was reborn by investment from Memphis Ventures and Bryan M. Eagle III with Tom Keckler back at the wheel. Today, every St. Blues guitar is finished and set up in Memphis and will always have its roots in this hallowed ground. St. Blues markets its line of vintage style guitars and basses through over 150 independent dealers around the US and overseas.

About Memphis Music Foundation                                         www.memphismeansmusic.com

The Memphis Music Foundation is a 501(c)(3)not-for-profit organization dedicated to working with the community to cultivate a viable economic engine for Memphis by providing musicians and the music industry with resources and opportunities for growth and independence. The Foundation exists to educate the music community about music business systems and trends, help artists develop plans for future business growth, and create dynamic marketing and promotional opportunities for Memphis music. The Foundation’s anchor program, the Music Resource Center is an interactive, living library and workspace that offers a devoted staff, tools, and educational programs to help area musicians and music professionals.