Memphis 59 Cuts Debut Record with Trio of Grammy Winners
Music aficionados may remember 1959 as the backdrop for “the day the music died,” but Memphis 59, the Arlington,VA-based roots rock band that took part of their name from that historic year, are betting it’s still got some life left. Although Memphis 59 had yet to play a single show as a unified group just a year ago, they are now mid-way through recording their first album – with a dream team trio of Grammy winners.
Fronted by rhythm guitarist and singer-songwriter Scott Kurt, Memphis 59’s regular line-up includes bassist Rich Lewis and Chris Zogby on drums. The absence of a permanent lead guitarist prompts Scott to jokingly characterize the succession of players as something out of This is Spinal Tap. Rounding out the foursome lately, both in-studio and on-stage, has been Grammy winner John Jennings, who has played with the likes of Mary Chapin Carpenter, Lyle Lovett, George Jones, and the indigo girls. John is also Memphis 59’s producer on the upcoming record.
John Jennings, Scott Kurt, Bob Dawson
Cupcakes aren’t exactly rock ‘n roll, but that makes no difference to the industry veteran at the helm of Bias Studios, first stop for Memphis 59’s recording process. Grammy winner Bob Dawson may be the talent behind the sound engineering, but his wife and Bias business manager, Gloria Dawson, keeps the studio running smoothly and the clients’ (and their note-taking guest’s) sweet tooth satisfied. Just minutes outside of Washington, DC, Bias conjures memories of the 70s with its red brick, shag carpet, and extensive paneling, while state-of-the-art MACs remind us that we are in the 21st century. The studio technology is a mix of digital and old-fashioned analog, and the Hammond organ, which John Jennings skillfully adds to four songs on the record, is a decades-old treasure. Recording on piano for the album is Jon Carroll, one-quarter of the chart-topping Starland Vocal Band, 1977’s Grammy winners for Best New Artist. Drummer Chris Zogby says of this star-studded experience, “It’s like you’re finally in the club.”
Jon Manitta, Chris Zogby, Scott Kurt, Rich Lewis
Despite the seasoned status of many involved, the music is definitively current, American rock ‘n roll, and John Jennings is pleased to be a part of it. He describes Memphis 59’s sound as “ragged but right,” and adds, “This is a dream gig for me. Their tone is good. Their timing is good. Most people get to the studio and are still learning how to do this…I’m happy with just about every note…it’s alive, man.” Scott Kurt confesses that having a Grammy winner on board makes it easier to trust the changes to his song arrangements, and says that John’s unequivocal belief in their abilities and the strength of the songs boosts his confidence in his own work. He shares, “When somebody who has that pedigree comes in and says ‘I believe in these songs, they are good songs’ – it’s contagious.”
Scott Kurt
The strength of Memphis 59′s songs rests with Scott’s talent and passion for songwriting and Chris and Rich’s seemingly effortless, yet rock solid, playing. Naming Tom Petty, Paul Westerberg, and Bruce Springsteen among his major influences, Scott says that he derives inspiration from personal observations. A storyteller at heart, Scott is driven by the challenge of writing a great song and, although he picked up his first guitar long before he ever wrote or sang a note, now considers the instrument much more of a writing tool than his primary role in the band. Leaving the drum and bass parts to the musicians who know them best, Scott credits Chris and Rich’s innate ability to “just get” where a song is going and help to take it there.
A long history of other bands, recording experiences, and shows behind them, the guys in Memphis 59 each say, in their own way, that this band feels more like “home” for them than any other. Rich describes it long-term “like being in three different marriages at once,” and says that he appreciates their capacity to get along and take the music seriously, while not taking themselves too seriously and just having fun. The band’s cohesive momentum is strong, as evidenced by this early record and their recent win in the semi-finals of the First Ever Mid-Atlantic Band Battle, sponsored by the Vienna, VA-based music venue Jammin’ Java. Memphis 59 will play at Jammin’ Java with five other bands in the finals on Friday, 14 August. A video of the performance of their song “Gone” (courtesy of Chris Ricci) for the semi-final competition can be viewed above. On guitar in the video is Jon Manitta, the band’s original lead guitarist.
To stay up to date with the latest news on the band, visit Memphis 59’s MySpace page or become a fan on Facebook. Capitol B will review the album (currently untitled), scheduled to be released this fall – and of course, provide details on the release party and show.
Upcoming Memphis 59 shows:
- Waterfront Hotel in Baltimore (Sunday, 26 July)
- The Lion & Bull in Haymarket, VA (Thursday, 20 August)
- Conneaut Lake, PA, Labor Day weekend (Sunday, 6 September) – opening for The Clarks
Upcoming Scott Kurt solo acoustic shows:
- Riverside Grill in Georgetown (Friday, 7 August)
- Los Toltecos in Alexandria (Saturday, 8 August)
- McGinty’s Public House in Arlington (Friday, 21 August)
