speaking of the House of Blues --off topic slightly--but i was wondering if there were any special reason why a HoB was never opened here in Memphis. I absolutely love the restaurant-venue that is in New Orleans (especially the smaller "Parish Room"). I just thought it odd that a "House of Blues" was never built in the "Home of the Blues".

Tigrett's letter is some angry throw down on his stepmother, Ms. Pat Kerr Tigrett. There seems to be some sort of nasty family feuding going on. I always wondered, too, why Memphis didn't get a House of Blues since the city is the capital of the birthplace of the Blues, the Mississippi delta. Doesn't sound like Mr. Tigrett has any love lost for Memphis, but maybe it's just his stepmother.

More alert readers might notice that the post is very likely a fake. I don't know Mr. Tigrett, but I am pretty sure he doesn't live in India, so don't know why there would be a reference to India in the first line or two. And look at the phone number at the end. (as an aside, why would he post his phone number?) Second, I don't think Mr. Tigrett would be stupid enough to cc the variety of news sources, from the NYT to Rolling Stone, as the writer does in the last line. Third, I am pretty sure Tigrett knows how to write sentences more coherent, and without randomly capitalizing words, than appear in this letter. I hope the editors of the Flyer are kidding and don't actually think this came from Tigrett.

Memphis doesn't need a HoB. We are the HoB. But this leads me to wonder why we even feel like we have to give in to the commercialization of Beale St. in the first place. I mean, I've lived here my whole life and I never go down there: unless I'm with someone from out of town. Why? Because it's become something like a shopping center that serves drinks. If Wolfchase had opened up on Beale its ads would read "Come Shop at the Home of the Blues." Really, how's this any different from what it does now? I mean, how many Beale visitors have even listened to Robert Johnson or BB King? Does Beale even offer them the blues? What we need is our OWN venue--Memphis owned, Memphis run--that offers entertainment and but isn't part of some corporate "packaging." Something unique, genuine and soulful. Somewhere that hosts REAL blues musicians--not Lynard Skynard cover bands.

Nope. Not fake.

last news item i saw about him said he was living in an ashram in india...

jack, obviously you don't know mr. tigrett or any part of his history at all. living in india as well as giving out personal phone numbers on web sites are completely within character for the man. google him for plenty written on the subject.

I googled him & Isaac Tigrett lives on an ashram in India as he is close to his spiritual leader, Sai Baba. The letter is obviously from him. I don't blame him for being angry when he wasn't even notified that his name was being used. Sounds like he's totally pissed off at his stepmother mostly. The whole thing seems like a soap opera.

Ok, my bad. I will admit that I have better things to do than concern myself with the life story of Isaac Tigrett. Apparently, he is a nutbag who can't draft a coherent letter and has major anger issues. Point taken.

Let's see. Am I qualified enough to post? What if I spell a word wrong or dangle my participles? Will you discredit my message too if in the heat of a moment passionate enough to take the effort to post, my tone is interpreted as angry, biased or over emotional? Maybe you are so close to the forest that you can't see the trees. I very rarely post, but this article caught my attention for various reasons, mostly because his message (that Beale Street should pay respect to the musicians that created the legacy, not to popularity driven awardees or patronizing by officials) is ignored and substituted by your flagrant criticism of a man. Ooops, there must be something grammatically incorrect with that sentence . . . I don't live in Memphis, so know nothing about the politics or the Tigrett family. What I do understand though is the passion to protect the reputation of yourself and loved ones. I see that Mr. Tigrett has a legacy to protect and is being very open to the public before it diminishes anymore. While his words may humiliate Ms. Pat Kerr, she too has the freedom to use an open forum to protect her reputation as she sees fit. Unfortunately, celebrity brings the limelight even in personal matters. For every action there is a reaction. As an owner of a restaurant and music venue in California, I have the utmost respect and admiration for Mr. Tigrett. For that reason alone, I come to his defense. While he doesn’t even know who I am, he has been my guiding mentor in creating a culture at my restaurant that is all about respect to each other and our community. I love how Mr. Tigrett brings the history of music to people. He has set the benchmark to me for establishing culture. That Memphis doesn't have a House Blues is not really an issue you should direct at Isaac Tigrett. It is not his decision alone that would land House of Blues in your neighborhood. It is a corporation with many decision makers and from what I know, Mr. Tigrett is no longer associated with the leadership. Be nice to Mr. Tigrett. He has made too many contributions to the legacy of music for you to criticize him for protecting the reputation of his family name.

Just for the record, Isaac grew up in Jackson, Tennessee. He is 2 years younger then me and is the same age as my brother. We are three went to school together and have been friends for years My brother does hear from him from time to time. Isaac was and still is one fine and very interesting person. In fact so are his entire family. Isaacs statement pretty well says it all. He doesn't feel he or his family deserve this award and he felt the need to publically state his position. Nothing more, nothing less. How much easier then that can it be. Oh, one more thing. Isaac if you happen to be reading this, remember the night I took you on a ride on my '69 Harley Sportster? I picked the front wheel up about 18" and carried it for a while. You leaned up and said "I just saw God." See you around ole friend..George & Dan

Tigrett supports the Sai Baba, an Indian con man and pedophile. See both men on this documentary: http://tinyurl.com/36w2jp

Sonic, since you are so blue here why not move? - Olympia, WA -- Gay couples were brought one step closer to same-sex marriage Tuesday when the Legislature voted to extend 170 new rights to them, adding to groundwork begun last year with the passage of domestic partnership rights.

Toast: way to raise the intellectual bar in the discussion at hand.

WTF ever - this story is dead

Toast - dude - this story is not dead. It's a big freaking deal when someone doesn't want his note on Beale St. man! Did you read IT's letter in this week's hard copy? Ultimately, this is about a guy resenting the hell out of a "stepmother" that he thinks has stepped over the line. It's all so Bold and the Beautiful.

My Bad Rantboy - I was being insensitive to the drama-queen population. I am sorry. Gotta get me some sensitivity training ASAP!