November 24-28 Karen and I traveled to Memphis, TN to hang out with her niece Jenna Reneau and watch her referee the NBA game between the Grizzlies and Timberwolves.Beale Streetwas the center of our tourist activities and we chose the original B.B.King Blues Club for awesome BBQ and music anchored by the BB King’s Blues Club All-Star Band on our first night.We kicked off day two with the 11AM Peabody Duck March.Located in the Peabody is Lansky Brothers which has been selling attire to stars like Roy Orbison, Isaac Hayes and Elvis Presley since 1946. Dozens of autographed guitars decorate the ceiling and walls.The luxurious Peabody Hotel was built in 1925 and maintains it’s classic charm.Jenna’s parents Shane and Jamie arrived on Saturday and we immersed ourselves in an overview of Memphis’ music history starting at the Memphis Music Hall of Fame. The Memphis Music Hall of fame combo ticket added the Memphis Rock n Soul Museum to our itinerary. The Rock n Soul Museum included headphones for the self-guided tour and a ton of original songs on jukeboxes scattered throughout the facility. It was a feast for blues-loving ears.Jeanna got us tickets for the Memphis vs Minnesota game at the FedExForum which is one block from Beale Street and we settled in to root for the Ref.Watching an NBA game while focused on the referee provides an unusual perspective. What’s it take for a woman to become one of the handful of female referees in the NBA? According to Fanbuzz, “Long weekends working tournaments, watching film, a love for basketball and most importantly, capability.”The Blues Hall of Fame rounded out our music education on this trip to Memphis.We lucked into catching the Free World band that’s been playing every Sunday night in the Blues City Cafe’s “Band Box” since 1991. If you go, get the ribs and get down with one of the tightest groups in town. They play requests and appreciate “shots for the band” from the crowd. An added bonus for our Jenna visit was watching her referee the Grizzlies’ G-LeagueHustle play in Southaven, MS about thirteen miles south of Memphis.We had a great time in Memphis with Jenna, Shane and Jamie. Great food, incredible music, basketball games and family to share it all with. Rock on, Ms. Jenna!
