The Real Memphis Mike (don't settle for imitations)

 I first wrote about this on Facebook on March 8, 2020...just about the time the plague hit.   I've heard it said that as we get older, the world gets smaller. This is one of those tales.  As a musician, its usually tougher to get local radio play than in other markets. Why? Because they know  ya...they see ya at the grocery store in sweatpants and flipflops. No matter how good ya are, you ain't special. You're just another 'local' musician. (I could reference League Of Gentlemen here..."It's a local shop....for locals!"...and I guess I just did) I'm always grateful when I do get airplay, especially locally. I don't tour anymore, so local is where I perform on the rare occasion that I do. The airplay helps put butts in seats. (No matter how much you think your reputation may precede you, if the masses don't know that you're performing at their favorite venue, they ain't gonna be there)  Here's where it gets fun! My song "Wh...

 I was chatting with a singer friend in London today. We played catch up, talked about family, life in general and old radios. While discussing getting older and feeding critters in parks, I made a reference to an incident I experienced in London's Hyde Park. Her curiosity piqued, she asked for and received the following tale. In 2002, I got to do my first overseas tour. A handful of dates in the UK, arranged for me by my friend 2-Tone. It was indeed an experience to remember. My first trip outside of North America and by myself to boot. The tour, in many ways, validated my years of working as a musician. Stand or fall, I got to do it because someone thought I was definitely good enough to do it. I got to spend 3+ weeks in the UK, with my last couple of days in London, which were scheduled as days off/tourist visit time! I'm a nerd. Always have been. I read lots of Sherlock Holmes and other British literature as a kid and devoured hours of British comedy on TV, in film, on reco...