Preston Lauterbach's Blog, page 2

Blues Hall of Fame

Here’s the second installment of the Blues Hall of Fame podcast series, a story about Alberta Hunter. She grew up listening to W.C. Handy perform live in Memphis, wrote the beautiful “Downhearted Blues,” and traveled the world, before disappearing from the biz for reasons explored here. The great Guy Davis reads the script, produced by […]

The Chitlin’ Circuit on BBC Radio 2

BBC Radio 2 produced a two-part documentary on the chitlin’ circuit. One of the voices in there belongs to me. See if you can guess which one. Part I chronicles the big band era and Part II delves into the rise of rock ‘n’ roll. Segments run an hour, hosted by Welsh singer Cerys Matthews. […]

Beale Street on Backstory

Amid multiple reports in my home state of radio listeners hearing my voice describing a pair of xxx-large, heart designed female undergarments, the following interview with the wholly legitimate and educational program Backstory should prove my capability of discussing more serious matters. The show, hosted by a panel of erudite historians, features stories of local […]

The Future Begins With Destruction

Here’s a history meets the headlines longview. The better part of a year in the making, “Memphis Burning” follows the smoke signals and the millions to the story of inequality, power, and race in a vital American city. Along the way, you’ll meet Bob Church, Boss Crump, witness burning, bombing, and veer into a sex scandal. Thanks […]

The Future Begins With Destruction

Here’s a history meets the headlines longview. The better part of a year in the making, “Memphis Burning” follows the smoke signals and the millions to the story of inequality, power, and race in a vital American city. Along the way, you’ll meet Bob Church, Boss Crump, witness burning, bombing, and veer into a sex scandal. Thanks to Places Journal, Andrea Morales, and the Kresge Foundation.

Super Tuesday, Beale Street, 1920

History connects with the headlines in this salon.com piece, recalling Bob Church, an early 20th century political genius and a forgotten triumph of African-American voters.  

Beale Street Dynasty Paperback!

I’m launching the BSD paperback with a man who called himself the biggest Elvis fan on the South Side of Chicago, Chauncey DeVega. We went way past Beale Street on his podcast. Enjoy!  

New York Times reviews Beale Street Dynasty

“…not even a bullet in the head could stop [Bob] Church, who became the star mega-mogul of Beale Street. Like many of the district’s czars, he was both valiant and corrupt, a charmer and a thug. In a startlingly rebellious move, he opened what Lauterbach — the author of ‘The Chitlin’ Circuit’ — calls ‘sex […]

New York Times reviews Beale Street Dynasty

“…not even a bullet in the head could stop [Bob] Church, who became the star mega-mogul of Beale Street. Like many of the district’s czars, he was both valiant and corrupt, a charmer and a thug. In a startlingly rebellious move, he opened what Lauterbach — the author of ‘The Chitlin’ Circuit’ — calls ‘sex slavery plantations,’ brothels stocked with white women….’Beale Street Dynasty’ adds a fascinating chapter to civil rights history. But for all the hatred it depicts, this gracefully written book never loses sight of the fun that made [W.C.] Handy exalt that stretch of dirt road.” New York Times

Talking B.B. King

I’ll be talking B.B. King today at 11:45am est with NPR On Point. I’m not worthy, but somebody’s got to do it. http://onpoint.wbur.org/ways-to-listen