245 plays245 View all likes5 View all reposts2 bealestreetcaravan 637 followers637 297 tracks297 John Kilzer is a lot of things: Former NCAA basketball standout at the Univ. of Memphis, college professor, major-label recording artist , and a behind-the-scenes songwriter for the stars. Most recently, he's added minister to the list. For some rock and rollers, that would indicate quite a departure. But for John Kilzer, it's all part of a bigger plan. On this week's program, we catch up at the Levitt Shell in Midtown, Memphis and talk about songwriting, his friendship with Teenie Hodges, and how his ministry uses music to touch lives.

This week on Beale Street Caravan we have vocalist and songwriter, D’Monet, whose latest project, Chrysalis EP, showcases her brand of soulful music. Grammy nominated blues man, Guy Davis, will be with us to deliver an installment of the Blues Hall of Fame, an exploration of the lives of the pioneers and innovators enshrined in the Blues Hall of Fame, here in Memphis, TN, brought to you by the Blues Foundation.

This week on Beale Street Caravan, listen to highlights from the 2025 Blues Music Awards, held at the Renasant Convention Center in Downtown Memphis, TN. The episode features performances from Southern Avenue, The Ronnie Baker Brooks Band, and a tribute to B. B. King featuring Castro "Mr. Sipp" Coleman.

This week on Beale Street Caravan, we have a soul-stirring performance from gospel duo, The Sensational Barnes Brothers. As the name implies, brothers Chris and Courtney Barnes draw from their musical roots to create a sound that is as much soul music as it is gospel, with a distinct Memphis flavor. Listen in live from the Beale Street Music Festival in Memphis, TN.

This week we feature the mysterious, inscrutable, ever changing Sons of Mudboy. Also joining us will be BSC contributor, Jim Spake, exploring the legendary sidemen from the early years of rock and roll that played rock’s original lead instrument in a series called "Crazy About a Saxophone."

From the Caravan vault: We’re excited to feature the world’s oldest teenager, Rufus Thomas. Rufus is synonymous with Memphis and Beale Street, having began his career at 10 years old tap as a tap dancer on Beale. His prodigiousness was passed to his offspring, Carla, Marvell, and Vanese, who, with their father and on their own, crafted influential music careers.This week’s show captures Carla performing at BB Kings’ Blues Club on Beale Street back in 2001. A young Pat Mitchell is there and she sits down with Carla and her father for an interview that you absolutely must hear.

This week on Beale Street Caravan we’ve got one of the newest, most exciting groups on the Memphis scene, Black Cream. The band joined together two years ago. The four members Derek, T.O., Courtney and Chris are Memphis natives with years of experience backing others and playing solo. Black Cream combine melodious vocals over power trio instrumentation for a sound that is as edgy as it is soulful. They released their first single, “All I Need Is You,” earlier this year. Check out Black Cream on this week’s show.

This week on Beale Street Caravan, we have an electrifying performance by the Reba Russell Band, recorded live at The Green Room at Crosstown Arts in Memphis, Tennessee. Fronted by the iconic Reba Russell, this show featured a special appearance by her niece, Brittany Russell, whose soaring vocals added yet another dynamic layer to the performance. Grammy nominated blues man, Guy Davis, will also be with us to deliver an installment of the Blues Hall of Fame, an exploration of the lives of the pioneers and innovators enshrined in the Blues Hall of Fame.

This week on Beale Street Caravan we have blues ensemble, Ghost Town Blues Band. Their latest release, “Shine” debuted at #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart. Grammy nominated blues man, Guy Davis, will be with us to deliver an installment of the Blues Hall of Fame, an exploration of the lives of the pioneers and innovators enshrined in the Blues Hall of Fame, here in Memphis, TN, brought to you by the Blues Foundation.

Will Graves and Soul reunite after nearly a decade for a special birthday concert at the Green Room in Crosstown Arts, delivering their high-energy mixture of soul, R&B, funk. Lead singer and keyboardist William Graves II, whose standout talent earned him a Grammy showcase win from the Memphis chapter of NARAS, leads a lineup of Memphis’s finest musicians through electrifying performances. From soulful originals to surprise guest moments, this reunion concert honors Will’s enduring influence on the Memphis music scene and the power of live celebration.

This week on Beale Street Caravan we have Grammy Award winning saxophonist and Memphis music icon, Kirk Whalum. Kirk releases a new album, Humanite, on October 11. Also this week, we mark BSC host, Pat Mitchell-Worley's 20th year hosting the show!

This week on Beale Street Caravan we feature Gospel stars, The McCrary Sisters. Their father, Sam McCrary, was a minister and founder of Gospel legends, The Fairfield Four. We’ll hear them in a performance captured at the Levitt Shell in Midtown Memphis and, later in the program, we sit down and catch up with The Sisters. Grammy nominated blues man, Guy Davis, will be with us to deliver an installment of the Blues Hall of Fame, an exploration of the lives of the pioneers and innovators enshrined in the Blues Hall of Fame, here in Memphis, TN, brought to you by the Blues Foundation.