The Stax Museum of American Soul Music is helping celebrate its 16th birthday and the 200th birthday of the epicenter of American music, Memphis, Tennessee, by compiling a list of the 200 most indelible soul songs recorded in Memphis between 1957 and 1975. From Stax stars Otis Redding and Sam & Dave to Hi Records royalty Al Green and Ann Peebles, and all artists, labels, and studios in between, the list covers dozens of artists who recorded at studios throughout Memphis during that golden era of soul music.

The museum invites everyone to participate and VOTE for their Top Ten starting May 15 and running through June 30!

Balloting for the “biSoultennial Countdown” begins immediately, with a special ballot release and conversation event taking place on May 15, 2019. Held in the Green Room of Memphis’ Crosstown Arts at Crosstown Concourse, the listening party and conversation event will feature an all-star panel of Memphis musicians, fans, DJs, scholars, and writers will discuss the song selections. Panelists include Dr. Charles Hughes (Rhodes College), DJ Eddie Hankins (WEVL-FM), Tonya Dyson (Memphis Slim House), Kameron Whalum (Stax Music Academy artist in residence and Bruno Mars’ trombone player), and Jared Boyd (The Daily Memphian newspaper). Each panelist will select and discuss two songs from their choices for Top Ten.

Paper ballots will also be distributed that evening and then throughout the contest at the Stax Museum and other locations around Memphis. People may vote as often as they like between May 15 and June 30, when the voting ends and results will begin being tabulated.

“These are the 200 songs we feel best represent “Memphis Soul,” said Jeff Kollath, executive director of the Stax Museum. “Our only rules were no more than five songs per artist and it had to be predominantly recorded in Memphis between 1957 and 1975. We have created a list that goes across record label, studio, and era. Certainly, there are going to be some songs that the fans want to see represented, but just because it is not on the list doesn’t mean they can’t vote for it – just like a regular election, you can write-in! And we encourage everyone to share their ballots on social media and defend their selections!”

Once voting closes, votes will be tabulated and the Top Ten will be announced during a special celebration at the Stax Museum on Thursday, August 15 at 7pm. Local DJs will spin Memphis classics all night long and current Memphis musicians will announce the Top Ten and present an award to a musician, writer, producer, or family member associated with each of the Top Ten recordings chosen. There will also be an art exhibition of images of the Top Ten artist by Jamond Bullock and limited edition posters for sale by nationally-known known designer Marq Spusta. A Stax Music Academy concert will be held in late October featuring both current students and alumni paired with Memphis music legends.

The Stax Museum of American Soul Music’s‘biSoultennial’ is an official event of the Memphis Bicentennial celebration, A New Century of Soul. For more information, please visit http://mem200.com.

SUPPORT THE STAX MUSEUM

Now in our 16th year as of May 2, 2019, the Stax Museum is the only museum in the world dedicated to preserving and promoting the legacy of Stax Records and all American soul music. What you may not know is that the Stax Museum offers some 40 free programs to the public each year, while also offering great opportunities for young people to embrace the music recorded at this site. It also helps fund the adjacent Stax Music Academy, which is carrying the legacy of Stax Records into the future for generations to come and offers highly discounted tuition to the majority of the potentially at-risk students it serves. Please consider making a donation from one of these categories or any other amount”

Top Ten Hit List: $10

Sweet Sixteen Stax Museum Birthday: $16

200 Hit List: $200

For more information please contact Tim Sampson at tim.sampson@soulsvillefoundation.org.