Memphis Music at Your Library - Memphis Public Libraries

Memphis Music

We offer ample opportunities to experience Memphis Music. Each night from 6:30 to Midnight, WYPL (FM 89.3 and streaming online) plays Memphis Music from various genres including the Memphis 60s, the Memphis 70s, Gospel, Stax & Hi, Sun, Current, and Blues. See the WYPL FM program schedule for details. Or, Check out our large collection of CDs, Cassettes, and LPs. We also have a large collection of rare CDs and LPs accessible via a listening station in the Memphis & Shelby County Room on the 4th floor of the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library. This listening station contains materials representing every stage of music written and recorded by Memphians and in Memphis. From the Memphis Jug Band, to Justin Timberlake; from Memphis Minnie to Packy Axton; classical, country, jazz, soul, rockabilly, R&B and more can all be listened to and enjoyed in one spot. Additionally, many rare and out-of-print albums are included in the listening station along with local independent releases (of course, Elvis and Stax are here too!).

CLOUD901 - Recording Studio

Teens can lay down the next hit track to come out of Memphis. Record and produce audio using sound isolation booths and professional sound mixing equipment. CLOUD901 resides in the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library on the first and second floor and is open to teens ages 13 to 18. Click here to learn more about music production and recording at CLOUD901! You can also check out the CLOUD901 Basics and Feature pages to learn about all the exciting technologies available. For a complete list of all CLOUD901 programs check out the CLOUD901 Calendar.

5 Fridays of Jazz

Fridays have never sounded so good! Join us for 5 Fridays of Jazz at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library (3030 Poplar Avenue). Offered in partnership with the Levitt Shell and the Memphis Library Foundation, this series of free concerts, will be held this year from March to May, offers customers a chance to sit back, relax, and enjoy soulful sounds by local entertainers. Check out the Levitt Shell page to learn more!

Front Porch Music Series

The Levitt Shell's Front Porch Music and Cultural Series is free and happens the second Tuesday of every month at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library. See upcoming concerts on our Events Calendar.

Family Tunes and Tales Storytime

Make the most of your family time at Memphis Public Libraries' Family Tunes & Tales Storytime, offered in partnership with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. Children, teens, moms, dads, and grandparents are sure to love the adventurous stories brought to life by live orchestra performances! All Family Tunes and Tales Storytimes start at 11AM to 12 Noon. Click here to see if there are any upcoming Tunes and Tales at your Library. To learn more about this program and our partners check out the Memphis Symphony Orchestra!

30 Days of Opera

Each September, Opera Memphis present 30 Days of Opera. Every day in September, somewhere in Memphis, there will be opera. Several of these events occur at various library branches. From Opera Memphis - "Designed to show the city we love what we love about opera, every performance will be free and open to the public."

Memphis Music Listening Party

For the second installment of the Memphis Music Listening Party, the Memphis Public Library and Robert Gordon present Jody Stephens – the drummer for the seminal Memphis power pop band Big Star. Join us as we explore five songs from Jody's career, discussing those songs and the role he played in Big Star's massive legacy. View the event on our calendar.