Frank and Sharon Murtaugh, Chip Googe, and Chris McCoy (Photos: Michael Donahue)

Widespread chill (as in “laid back-ness”) permeated the grounds in front of Radians Amphitheater on day three of the Mempho Music Festival, which was held October 3rd through 5th at Memphis Botanic Garden. A relaxed, happy crowd of people lolling on blankets in beautiful weather enjoyed the event, which, over the weekend, featured 20 performers, including Widespread Panic, Lucero, and Tyler Childers, says Anastazija Pomelov with Mempho.


  • John Mark Lee and Hailey Yount

  • Zach and Jordan Kitchens

  • Kristin Turpin and Marcus Franklin

  • Ada Hood and
    Gage Tegethoff 

  • Bobby and Mona Ford

  • Mary Helen and Alex Willingham

“There was pure magic in the air this weekend and I feel blessed to have been a part of it,” Pomelov says. “The love that the Mempho Presents team has for music and the people of Memphis was undeniable. Although his was my first Mempho Fest, it definitely won’t be my last. And I’m already counting down the days to next year’s.”


  • Holly and Casey Dillon 

  • Amanda Dent and 
    Anastazija Pomelov

  • Ben Nichols

  • Haskel Schaffer and John Nielsen

  • Shanna Welch and Slade Granger

  • TJ Shackelford and 
    Mia Morgan

  • Liv Cunningham and Ollie Williams

  • Noah Riggs and Taylor Cruse

  • Matthew Ryan Self 
    and Danielle Harvey

Michael Donahue began his career in 1975 at the now-defunct Memphis Press-Scimitar and moved to The Commercial Appeal in 1984, where he wrote about food and dining, music, and covered social events until...