Memphis Blues

Important Stuff

• Main Site
• Older Books
• in progress

Memphis, TN

This deluxe, hand bound coffee table book is designed to honor my friends, my city, and to really show the world a positive side of Memphis.
To give those of you who don't know much about me some sense of place, here's some further information:
Memphis is about the smoke, drugs, noise, and lifestyle that is a part of the musicians' life. There are many musicians in all phases of their career - big stars at the top of their game, unknowns playing gigs in dives every night waiting to be discovered and fallen rock stars who used to be somebodies. You find them everywhere in town. Memphis is a city crawling with character. You will find the night illuminated by Beale Street. By daylight, the neon glow fades to reveal a troubled city in the process of a post apocalyptic decay brought on by the heat, the tensions in the community, and the Mississippi river.

Our city is fueled by a dirty, funky beat of Stax, Sun, and Hi records. This city is the canvas for his art. Many days will find him strolling around decrepit neighborhoods with cameras in tow - the every day activity of our residents may seem mundane to the natives, but to an outsider, there lies a compelling story of poverty, hustle, hope and religion.

About Blake

Blake Billings is a photographer and artist who specializes in a gritty, urban style. His publications include The Commercial Appeal, The Chicago Tribure, The Christian Science Monitor, Mad Magazine and various other magazines and newspapers. Mr. Billings is a Memphis native.

Blake's unique vision of southern music and his access to many musicians drives his unique style of creating images. Memphis is about music - real music, not the synthesized pabulum that is fed to the masses as the junk you hear on the radio every day. Blake's portrait photography reflects this vision.

His work shows a southern gothic tradition reminiscent of William Styron, Harper Lee, William Faulkner, Bill Eggelston, Eudora Welty, and other southern icons. A booze fueled southern landscape marred by a century of neglect, southern sun, and tension of day to day life.

Everybody Wants Some!

There is no shipping charge on local orders.$30
Orders outside of Memphis, TN will be $35.00 (including shipping).
International orders are $40.00, shipped
Memphis Blues can also be purchased @ Tater Red's on Beale
My first book, Memphis In The Meantime will be available again shortly.