The Sidebar

Pedro Velasquez joined Eric Barnes to talk about LifeDoc’s mission, his family’s journey from Venezuela to Memphis, and the organization’s evolution nearly 20 years after its founding.

Phillip Ashley, the founder of Phillip Ashely Chocolates, discusses the evolution of his business as he’s shifted to more branded and business-to-business chocolate sales, including partnerships with Cadillac and other big named brands. 

At its core, Vintage901 is about good food, good wine and the connections people make through eating and drinking together.

For eight years - until she founded the art gallery Sheet Cake in the Edge District in December of 2023 - Lauren Kennedy was executive director of the UrbanArt Commission, an organization which was essential to the spread of so much public art throughout Memphis.

Nykesha Cole joined Eric Barnes on this week’s episode of The Sidebar to talk about her work as the arts and culture liaison for Shelby County Government.

Josh Burgess, who founded Lucy J’s with his wife, Tracy, joined Eric Barnes on this week’s episode of The Sidebar. They talked not only about Lucy’s J’s support of families working to get out of homelessness, but the many ways big and small that the bakery supports these families.

This week, Christine Weinreich, head of the Memphis Library Foundation, joined Eric Barnes on The Sidebar to talk about the foundation’s work in support of Memphis public libraries. 

Holly has written a new book documenting and describing so many cool and interesting places in Memphis: “100 Things to Do in Memphis Before You Die”.

Eric Barnes talked to the organization’s new president and CEO, Metise Moore Sr. this week about his plans to expand the reach of the clubs to more young people in Memphis.

Birdcap, who was born Michael Roy, has an exhibit on display at Crosstown Arts through the end of April, with paintings and mosaics inspired by his interpretation of Homer’s Iliad.

Rory Thomas, the president of the Memphis Medical District Collaborative, join Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

The path from working in social work to leading the Urban Art Commission might seem an odd one. But talking to Lakeisha Edwards, the connections all become clear very quickly as she talks about the ways public art not only beautifies a street or neighborhood, but how it impacts the people who live there.

Cyrena Wages has an album preview party at the Memphis Listening Lab on Feb. 1 at 6:30 pm, including songs from her debut album , a Q&A with the album’s producer, Matt Ross-Spang, and performances of a few of the songs live with Joe Restivo.

Tim Barker joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

Lauren joined Eric Barnes on this week’s episode of The Sidebar to talk about her documentaries as well as the other video production work done by she, her husband, Scott Ready, and their team at Forever Ready Productions. She also talked about her time on local TV and more.

Keith joined Eric Barnes to talk about his work and the people like him who helped make the Wolf River Conservancy - both before he joined and after - what it is today.  

Tommy’s advocacy for and articulation of what Memphis could be was at once impossibly grand and totally accessible, possible and doable. Today, a remarkable amount of the strategies and tactics and passion he articulated has come to life in this city.    

The WYXR festival and fundraiser is December 2 at Crosstown Concourse.

The museum's director talks about current and past exhibits, education programs - and irrigation.

As part of a series of conversations about our anniversary on September 18 - including interviews with board chair Andy Cates, columnist Dan Conaway and more - Eric Barnes sat down with our editorial director, Mary Cashiola, and our digital director, Holly Whitfield.

The Memphis filmmaker and artist on his work and the city.

The long-time and much-loved TV anchor talks about her new show on WREG, her career in local journalism and how she saved Eric Barnes from catastrophic embarrassment during a recent mayoral debate. Plus she dances. And sings!

Eric Barnes, Chris Herrington and Holly Whitfield are live in the WYXR studio for a Sound Bites/The Sidebar "Home and Away". 

A look at the Bartlett arts organizations upcoming schedule.

Janet Boscarino founded Clean Memphis to deal with litter. Now, some 15 years since its founding, Clean Memphis is evolving. While they still lead big volunteer efforts to clean up neighborhoods, the group is also trying to focus on more of the root causes of litter.

As part of The Daily Memphian’s ongoing series of stories and interviews marking the 5th anniversary, Eric Barnes interviews the technical team behind the news organization.

No yelling allowed as two of the co-founders discuss the launch and history.

No yelling allowed as two of the co-founders discuss the launch and history.

As The Daily Memphian approaches its fifth anniversary on Sept. 17, Dan joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar to talk about the launch, The Daily Memphian, his column and more.

Steve Selvidge joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar to talk about the album he recorded with Luther Dickinson and Paul Taylor during COVID.

Writer Brooks Lamb talks about his new book with Eric Barnes.

The head of Memphis River Parks Partnership joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

The chef and restaurant owner joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

Work from MCA artists will be on display along with a history of the school.

The Daily Memphian columnist joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

The Tennessee director of the Trust for Public Land joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

The Daily Memphian columnist and contributor to WKNO and ABC24 News joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar to talk about the importance of local journalism.

It was exactly a year ago that The Daily Memphian was able to hire a full-time reporter, Keely Brewer, to cover environmental issues. The definition is, intentionally, a very broad one, including everything from the aquifer to park spaces to management of the Mississippi River to the question of who will provide electricity to Memphis.

Of the 19 flavors of Lays we tried, I could only score two of them as pretty good. And a few of them were, for lack of a better word, revolting.

Kevin joined Eric Barnes on The Sidebar to talk about how MoSH – which includes The Pink Palace, the Lichterman Nature Center and other facilities – weathered COVID as well as new developments at the museum. 

Stuart, the founder of the development group that bought the Sterick recently, joined Eric Barnes on this week’s episode of The Sidebar to talk about the group’s vision not just for the building but for the neighborhood around it. 

Torey Bates, For the Kingdom’s executive director, and Summerjoy Scott, the director of human development, joined Eric Barnes on this week’s episode of The Sidebar to talk the evolution of the organization.

The leaders of the Memphis Literacy Conference join Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

The Daily Memphian food editor joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

A conversation with Zoe Kahr, the Brooks’ executive director, about new exhibits, live music, how her family led her into the world of art museums and a future exhibit on the legacy of the Memphis College of Art.

An upcoming fundraiser for Room in the Inn aims to help support the group’s mission to help the homeless.

“Exodus: Recreation,” which was produced by The InHEIRitance Project and will performed in Memphis Friday, March 31 through April 3, incorporated the input of 800 people and 2 dozen local organizations.

Writer Billups Allen joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

Tara M. Stringfellow talks about the new paperback edition of her novel, “Memphis,” which she’ll be signing at Novel bookstore Tuesday, March 7 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Ward Archer joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar to talk about just some of the projects and companies he’s involved in in Memphis, from Protect Our Aquifer to Archer Records to Contemporary Media.  

The executive director of the Memphis Black Arts Alliance, Lar’Juanette Williams joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar to talk about her incredible range of experiences in the arts and beyond.

Hamlett Dobbins, a remarkable painter who lives here in Memphis, joined me on The Sidebar to talk about the work he does. 

The Memphis artist joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar to talk about his art, immersive worlds, the Mid-South Coliseum and how maybe – just maybe – the artists’ collaborative Live From Memphis could return.

One of the original owners of The Beauty Shop and now owner of Bar Keough and Cafe Keough talks about belly dancers, his love of chickens and the sweet, wonderful smell of burnt rosemary.

The writer David Williams talks about his second novel, his writing process, and his 30 years as a reporter and editor at The Commercial Appeal on this week’s episode of The Sidebar with Eric Barnes.

Mike Allen, the Botanic Garden’s executive director, joined Eric Barnes on this week’s episode of The Sidebar to talk about all the different aspects of the Botanic Garden and the plans for expansion.

A conversation with John Bass, the director of the Mike Curb Institute of Music at Rhodes College.

The Daily Memphian's new columnist joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

Jennifer Balink, executive director of the nonprofit Kindred Place, which provides support and counseling to parents and families, talks about the dramatically changing attitudes about counseling and mental health over the years – changes that were accelerated during the pandemic. 

The performer joins New Ballet CEO Katie Smythe and Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

Caramelized was once just focused on food. But now it has become something much bigger.

For people who’ve been in publishing in Memphis for many years, there are generally two family trees: The people who came through The Commercial Appeal and the people who came through one of Bob Towery’s companies.

For people who’ve been in publishing in Memphis for many years, there are generally two family trees: The people who came through The Commercial Appeal and the people who came through one of Bob Towery’s companies.

The executive director of Iris Collective, Rebecca Arendt, talks about the evolution of Iris, the new season of performances, and her firm belief that “everyone can learn to sing.”

The head of the arts festival joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

From The Magic Kids to knocking on doors to get out the vote, Bennett Foster talks about balancing a love of a songwriting and work on social and political issues.

Elizabeth Cawein of Music Export Memphis joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

The Power Pop Festival takes place Saturday, September 24 at 4 pm at the Overton Park Shell and includes former Posies member Jon Auer, Van Duren, Your Academy, a tribute to Big Star’s Chris Bell, and the Sonny Wilsons.

Emily Bishop and Karen Lebovitz join Eric Barnes on The Sidebar to talk about how MidtownMemphis.org is working to improve and beautify a section of Madison Avenue.

The Memphis-based graphic designer joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar to talk about props, album covers, toys and more.

The Memphis guitarist, who's a member of The Hold Steady, Big Ass Truck, and who plays with many other combinations of musicians inside and outside Memphis, joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

An innocent conversation about cheeseburgers with Jennifer Biggs, Chris Herrington and Eric Barnes devolves into culinary distractions, general mockery and outright name-calling.

Howard Stovall joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar to talk about blues music, Americana music and Clarksville, Mississippi.

How Coaching for Literacy is working with sports teams nationwide to raise awareness about the massive challenge of illiteracy.

Jennifer Biggs talks to Eric Barnes about the Taste of Summer food series, plus what she eats for breakfast, what food she has in her refrigerator, and her belief that, apparently, all change is for the better.

Carissa Hussong joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar to talk about expansion in the former home of the Memphis College of Art and plans for their campus on the bluff.

The founder of Memphis Teacher Residency and the leader of the Memphis Literacy Conference join Eric Barnes to talk about using science, people and constant effort to help people of all ages learn to read.

Marvell Terry II joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar to talk about his advocacy for the LGBTQ community, his work to support people with AIDS and HIV, and what it means to be a Black gay man.

The head of Crosstown Arts’ artist in resident programs, Mary Jo Karimnia, joins Eric Barnes to talk about opportunities for artists, the role of the arts in the Crosstown building and community, and her near 10-year-history with the Crosstown project.

Molly Quinn, executive director of OutMemphis, joins Eric Barnes to talk about the organization’s work with homeless LGBTQ+ young people, the group’s upcoming Queer Prom, and the progress – and steps backwards – in the environment for LGBTQ+ people.

The food and dining editor joins Eric Barnes on this week's edition of the Sidebar.

Scott Bomar – the musician, Emmy-award-winning film composer, record producer and more – joins Eric Barnes on this week’s episode of The Sidebar to talk about how he became a musician, began to produce soundtracks for Craig Brewer’s movies, his studio’s upcoming move to the Sam Phillips Recording Studio, and much more.

The Associate Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Brooks Museum joins Eric Barnes for a discussion about upcoming exhibits, the future of NFTs in digital art, Maurice Sendak, the Tommy Kha controversy and more.

Along with countless other fans on Twitter, Reddit, Instagram, and TikTok, they’re building new communities where the league’s most knowledgeable, passionate, and funny fans can connect to each other and the team they love.

The emphasis on creative thinking, collaboration, problem solving, and engaging with the real world is one of the things that differentiates XTH from other high schools throughout Shelby County and around the country. 

Two leaders of the organization join Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

The filmmaker, writer and producer joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

The Shell's executive director joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

Ernest Strickland of the Black Business Association joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

Cyrena Wages joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

The head of the Children's Museum of Memphis joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

Two leaders of the Memphis Lynching Sites Project join Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

The photographer joins Eric Barnes on this week's Sidebar.

The founder of Volunteer Odyssey joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

Kerry Hayes joins Eric Barnes this week on The Sidebar.

Nearly 10 years after founding Choose901, John Carroll joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

The singer, songwriter and WYXR staffer joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

Tonya Dyson joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

Music producer, DJ and instructor Jeff Cohran joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

Elle Perry of The Daily Memphian joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

The leader of the Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

The host of the Champions of the Lost Causes podcast joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

The Outdoors Inc. co-founder joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

The head of Teach for America in Memphis joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

The host of Music & Medicine joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

Toby Sells joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

It's a Kit Kat Chit Chat Fever Dream on this week's episode of The Sidebar.

Andy Nix of MyCityRides joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

Listen to Robby Grant and Jared Boyd talk about WYXR's first anniversary on this week's episode of the Sidebar with Eric Barnes.

The leader of Tone talks to Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

Zac Ives joins Eric Barnes on this week's episode of The Sidebar podcast

The photographer from Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair and more joins Eric Barnes on the Sidebar

Eric Barnes talks to Sam Prager about the arts and culture quarterly he founded.

Eric Barnes interviews JD Reager on this week's episode of The Sidebar

Eric Barnes interviews Octavia Young and Mark Fleischer on The Sidebar.

Eric Barnes talks to Josh Horton on this week's episode of The Sidebar.

Listen to author Bill Haltom and Crosstown President Todd Richardson.

Jennifer and Chris join Eric Barnes on The Sidebar podcast.

The head of The Orpheum joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

Heather Nickels from The Brooks joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

Ned Canty of Opera Memphis joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

Kevin Sharp of the Dixon joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

Porsche Stevens of Frayser Connect joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

Library Director Keenon McCloy joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

The executive director of The Shell joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar

Elizabeth Rouse of ArtsMemphis joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar

Elliot joins Eric Barnes on this week's episode of The Sidebar

Jennifer Biggs joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar

Eric Robertson of Community LIFT joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar

Ty Cobb joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar

A look at Slingshot Memphis on this week's episode of The Sidebar with Eric Barnes

Kevin Dean joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar

John Zeanah talks about the evolution of regional planning on this week's episode of The Sidebar

"Life changing" visits and Buffalo vaccinations: Jen Andrews joins Eric Barnes on this week's episode of The Sidebar.

A look at the work of the Wolf River Conservancy on this week's episode of The Sidebar with Eric Barnes.

The writer and documentarian joins Eric Barnes and Chris Herrington on The Sidebar.

The author and filmmaker joins Chris Herrington and Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

Tina Sullivan joins Eric Barnes to talk about the new golf course, Rust Hall and more.

Cody Fletcher joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

Mary Claire Borys from Housing Community & Development joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

The CEO of Memphis River Parks joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

Steve Barlow of Neighborhood Preservation Inc. joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

Anne Hogan joins Eric Barnes on this week's episode of The Sidebar.

Todd Richardson joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

Chip Washington, host of Real Talk, joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

Kudzukian founder Larry Robinson joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar

Toby, the news editor for The Flyer, joined Eric Barnes this week on The Sidebar to talk about how we got started on topical marijuana mentions, plus  Bigfoot (and the Bigfoot festival he’s organized for a few years), alt weeklies and, maybe most importantly, the Radio Flyer show he’s now hosting on WYXR each Friday at noon.

The Daily Memphian columnist joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

The Daily Memphian's food and dining editor joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

The program manager at the newly launched WYXR, Jared Boyd was a reporter at The Daily Memphian when the station started to look for a program manager before launching. Take a listen to this week’s episode and hear how his knowledge of and passion for music is already shaping the station.

Pat Mitchell-Worley, the executive director of Stax Music Academy and host of Beale Street Caravan, joins Eric Barnes on The Sidebar.

Robby joins Eric Barnes on this first edition of The Sidebar radio show and podcast.

Geoff Calkins talks about the challenges of writing columns in a time of such political polarization.

In this week’s edition of The Extra Podcast, John Carroll talks with Eric Barnes about how he set about trying to find ways to talk to people about all the good things in Memphis.

Elizabeth Rouse, President & CEO of ArtsMemphis, joined Eric Barnes on The Extra Podcast this week to talk about the myriad number of ways that artists are trying to connect with people during the shutdown.

Elizabeth Cawein of Music Export Memphis joins Eric Barnes on The Extra Podcast.

A deeper look at the content and mission of the re-branded WUMR with Executive Director Robby Grant and Program Manager Jared Boyd.

Emily Ballew Neff, the director of the Brooks Museum, joins Eric Barnes to discuss how The Brooks Museum is on a "soft pause" as it adapts to the new realities of restrictions on public spaces and an economic downturn. 

President Carol Johnson-Dean talks about how the gift came to be on this week’s edition of The Extra Podcast, as well as the critical role LeMoyne plays for students who most often are first generation college students. 

The issues facing schools as they look to reopen with some semblance of normalcy is almost overwhelming. A bit scary. And in some ways heartbreaking.

The head of the Memphis branch of the Fed – technically the Memphis branch of the St. Louis Federal Reserve, which is part of the overall Fed system – is Douglas Scarboro, Senior Vice President and Regional Executive.
Douglas joins the Extra Podcast to talk about the Memphis branch, but also to give his views on the economic losses associated with systemic racism.

Executive Editor Ronnie Ramos talks about how The Daily Memphian has approached coverage of so many different stories at once on this week’s Extra Podcast with Eric Barnes.

MMDC’s President Tommy Pacello on the group’s effort to support small businesses, residents in need, and future development.

Jeff Kollath, the head of the Stax Museum talks about plans for reopening – and contemplates when live music and events will happen again.

Jennifer Oswalt of the Downtown Memphis Commission gives a status update on the billions of dollars in downtown development in the wake of the Coronavirus shutdown.

The National Civil Rights Museum’s Terri Freeman talks about how the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted inequality, as well as the financial impact the shutdown has had on the museum.

Rhodes President Marjorie Hass tells Eric Barnes about the contingencies the college is planning for as it finishes the year and plans for an opening in the fall.

Ernie Mellor, president of the Memphis Restaurant Association joins Eric Barnes to talk about the heavy economic toll COVID-19 has had on local restaurants – and the difficulties restaurants face in reopening.

Shantelle Leatherwood on how Christ Community Health Services is expanding COVID-19 testing into some of the hardest hit communities and people in Memphis.  

Dr. Scott Morris describes how Church Health has responded to the coronavirus crisis.

Inside the ICU: What Chris Herrington saw and learned in his exclusive tour of Baptist’s COVID fighting efforts.

Recording of a live Q&A with Dr. Stephen Threlkeld, infectious disease expert at Baptist Memorial Health Care, on the impact of Coronavirus on the Memphis area hosted by Eric Barnes.

From supporting laid off restaurant workers to providing translation services to refugees, the Community Foundation is trying to target money to the people who need it most.

Local financial planner Duncan Miller talks about the impact of COVID-19 on the Memphis economy and how people view their retirement planning in the crisis.

Dr. Jon McCullers, an expert on infectious diseases at UTHSC as well as pediatrician in chief at Le Bonheur, talks about the complicated, ethically difficult strategies societies face in a pandemic.

Ned Canty tells Eric Barnes about his journey from watching the Ramones in CBGB’s in New York to heading Opera Memphis.

Eric Barnes talks with Mark Fleischer, publisher and founder of Storyboard Memphis, about how he got started, the role of Storyboard and what it means to connect to local readers.

Tina Sullivan of the Overton Park Conservancy talks about parking on the Greensward, the recovery of the General Services Area, the future of MCA and the Brooks, and new connections between Overton Park and its neighbors.

How Facing History and Ourselves shapes some of the most difficult conversations we can have – and does it with children and teens in schools throughout Memphis.

From its start, The Daily Memphian has been expanding free access. Kesha Whitaker, who’s now leading the effort, talks with Eric Barnes on The Extra Podcast about how this effort is growing.

Ronnie Ramos joins Eric Barnes on The Extra Podcast to talk about his prior work at the Indianapolis Star, the USA Gymnastics investigation, and the future of local journalism.

Ekundayo Bandele, CEO of Hattiloo Theatre, talks about the history and future of the theater he founded. 

Ten years after its rebirth, Natalie Wilson, the executive director of The Levitt Shell, talks about how free music remains possible at The Shell.

Gina Sweat is a life long firefighter and not only the first female fire chief in Memphis, but one of less than ten nationwide.

Eric Robertson, President of Community Lift, talks about the many ways – some complicated, some simple – that economic development can be brought to neighborhoods all across Memphis.

Darrell Cobbins of 100 Black Men of Memphis joins The Extra Podcast to talk about the progress – and impediments – to improving the lives of African-Americans in Memphis.

The Brooks’ executive director walks through the decision to move the museum to the riverfront – and gives a progress report on the new building.

Henry Turley, legendary developer in Memphis, renovated buildings Downtown when everyone else thought he was crazy. “I didn’t know what I was doing,” he says. “And I was scared to death.”

Playhouse on the Square is more than just one building in Midtown, it’s a series of theaters and theater groups, as well as a business that has to be run successfully. Mike Detroit talks about all that and more on the Extra Podcast with Eric Barnes.

Soulsville CEO Richard Greenwald discusses how Justin Timberlake came to visit Soulville and tapped into the musical and cultural legacy of Stax Records, plus what it takes to run a museum, a charter school and a music academy.

A discussion of how the library remains relevant – and then some – in our digital age, with Keenon McCloy, the director of Memphis Public Libraries.

Director of The Dixon Gallery & Gardens talks about the Dixon’s collection, its new education center, how the Dixon connects with the city – and its neighborhood.

Terri Lee Freeman, president of the National Civil Rights Museum, talks about her five years in Memphis, the role of the museum locally and nationally, and the history of systemic racism in the country.

Dr. Elena Delavega and Dr. Gregory Blumenthal, authors of the most recent edition of the 2019 Poverty Fact Sheet, break down the numbers on poverty in Memphis and offer their opinions on why the trends are what they are.

Daily Memphian writers Geoff Calkins, Jennifer Biggs and Chris Herrington on how they came to join The Daily Memphian, their history at other local publications including the Commercial Appeal, and the state and future of local journalism.

Andy Cates joins Eric Barnes to talk about the years of planning that preceded The Daily Memphian.

Waters and Perrusquia join Eric Barnes for this edition of the podcast to talk about their upcoming stories, as well as the state of local journalism. They also share stories of their first jobs at The Commercial Appeal.

Bob Fockler and Sutton Mora Hayes of the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis sit down with Eric Barnes of The Daily Memphian to talk about giving in Memphis, the role of the foundation locally, and whether there are ghosts in their office.