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Special Exhibtion:

Pictures Tell the Story: Ernest C. Withers

This exhibition & a monograph by the same title
are supported by a generous grant from the

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To Make a Shining Light - The Music of Beale Street

By the late 1930s and early 1940s, Memphis, Tennessee, was a prime destination of the "great migration" that attracted rural farm workers to larger urban centers throughout the nation. In Memphis, migrants comprised approximately 60% of the city's population, and it is no surprise that they brought their musical talents and tastes. When these musicians looked for a place to showcase their talents and to earn a living, they gravitated to the clubs, Palace Theatre, and street corners of Memphis' infamous Beale Street. It was in this setting that Ernest Withers established his first photography studio, and was able to photograph so many (now) famous musicians.

The musical explosion in Memphis was shaped by one of the South's severest segregation policies. Out of necessity, African Americans created a "city within a city" along Beale Street. This tradition had begun early in the 20th century when W.C. Handy, the "Father of the Blues", encouraged musicians to gather and perform along the street. Ernest Withers felt comfortable taking photographs on Beale Street for two reasons; 1) he was one of the first black policemen in Memphis, a role that provided open access to all of the clubs, and 2) Withers was connected to Nat Dee Williams, the nation's first important on-air African American personality, which provided an insider's perspective on the music scene. In this setting, Withers was able to record a variety of musical performers, ranging from the Beale Street Jug Band to such well known stars as B.B. King, Howlin' Wolf, Jimmy Reed, Muddy Waters, Billy Eckstine, Count Basie, Ruth Brown, Ray Charles, Isaac Hayes, and Elvis Presley. Other photographs show Lionel Hampton, Aretha Franklin, Lou Rawls, Al Green, Ike and Tina Turner.

Classroom Activites:

This photograph was taken in 1957. Research the segregation laws that shaped society in the American southeast at this time to decide why this photograph is so unusual.

As a class project, create a timeline that traces the development of African American music from Colonial times to the present. Be sure to include such contributions as field music, spirituals, gospel, dance music, blues, big bands, rock and roll and the music of today. Listen to examples of each of the above (and more) in the classroom.

From the above list of famous African/ African American musicians and/or singers photographed by Withers, select one individual as the subject of a research paper.

Resources:

Pictures Tell the Story: Ernest C. Withers, Reflections in History, Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA 23510