Tommy Peters, 66, a noted businessman, restaurant/club owner, and philanthropist, died Sunday, September 5th, in Orlando, Florida, says his daughter, Bethany Peters Stooksberry.
Peters reportedly contracted Covid-19 in August and had been in the hospital in Orlando for several weeks.
Born in Memphis, Peters was founder, president, and CEO of Beale Street Blues Company, which includes B. B. King’s Blues Club, Lafayette’s Music Room, and Itta Bena and Moondance restaurants. In Orlando, he owned The Wharf and Lizzie’s BBQ. In Montgomery, Alabama, he owned B. B. King’s Blues Club, Lucille, and Itta Bena in Wind Creek Casino. He also owned B. B. King’s Blues Clubs in the Holland American Cruise Lines.
“He has a brass note on Beale he never wanted to accept,” Stooksberry says. “He never wanted to be in the media. He wasn’t very ostentatious.
“My dad got so many awards he never shared with anyone because he was so humble.”
Her dad also was on the cover of his alma mater Memphis University School’s “U Today” magazine in 2020. He was dubbed “Master of Vibe.”
Peters graduated from University of Mississippi at Oxford. He began his career as an accountant and later a venture capitalist before his love of music led him to open B. B. King’s Blues Club on Beale Street, which was “vital in the revitalization of Beale Street,” says his daughter Sara Fay Egan.
“Just going on Beale Street, [people would come up and say] ‘Your dad saved my life,’” Stooksberry says. “He loved his employees. He took care of his employees.”
“Dad created this community 30 years ago and has revitalized downtown and Overton Square,” says his daughter, Grace Peters. “He had a passion for music and a passion for helping others. Our best memories with dad always revolved around music.”
And, Egan says, “We feel strongly that we would like to continue our father’s legacy and continue everything that he started and built. We will continue to do so in his honor.”
In addition to his three daughters, Peters leaves his wife Liz Peters, and a host of grandchildren. Joan Heflin is his former wife.