Experience the heart and history of the music of America's Deep South

12 August 2024

Graceland, the Grand Ole Opry, New Orleans’ French Quarter… These iconic sites are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the extraordinary musical heritage of the Deep South. This region isn't merely a treasure trove of history; it's alive with rhythm and energy, offering an unparalleled musical experience. Whether you're swaying to the soulful blues, tapping your feet to jazz, feeling the country twang, or getting lost in the lively sounds of Cajun accordions and riverboat calliopes, the Deep South dances to its own unique beat. It invites you to join in the fun, where every note played and every song sung adds to the rich legacy of an area that truly pulses with life and creativity.

Experience the heart and history of the music of America's Deep South

Hearing your favourite music in the flesh at an intimate, authentic bar or club can be one of life’s most unforgettable moments, from bluegrass in Kentucky or jazz in Louisiana to the Grand Ole Opry in Tennessee, Alabama's revered Muscle Shoals studios (where The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, and Bob Dylan all recorded hits) or Morgan Freeman's Ground Zero blues club in Clarksdale, Mississippi.

There are many ways to experience the Deep South and we can help you find the route that suits you. This region of the US is a classic road-trip destination, inviting you to soak up the joy of the open road between musical sites and performances. There are also guided tours for those who like everything organised for them, or you could embark on classic riverboat rides combining legendary music venues, Civil War history, and delicious southern cuisine.

Must-dos on any kind of Deep South trip are a guided tour of Elvis' home Graceland in Memphis; hearing live blues on Memphis' Beale Street with its music venues such as B.B. King's Blues Club; taking in some jazz and blues in the French Quarter in New Orleans; and catching a performance at the Grand Ole Opry, Nashville’s legendary country music auditorium, where all the greats have performed.

The fascinating state of Alabama, with its landmarks from the American Civil Rights Movement, has everything from beachside music venues to raucous juke joints in cities such as Birmingham, Mobile, and Gulf Shores. Standouts here include Florence, home of ‘The Father of the Blues’ WC Handy, FAME recording studios in Muscle Shoals, and The Hank Williams Museum in Montgomery, honouring the country superstar.

From the nightlife of New Orleans to festivals in Lake Charles, Shreveport, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and Thibodaux, Louisiana is all about live music that came about from its rich mix of cultural influences. Music is a huge part of everyday life here, in live venues as well as restaurants, homes, and neighbourhoods. This was the birthplace of jazz, but blues, rock ’n' roll, country, and gospel are also in plentiful supply, and the live Cajun music in Lafayette is not to be missed.

Mississippi, meanwhile, is known as the birthplace of the blues but you can also experience other genres, from bluegrass and country to rock 'n' roll. An easy way to take in many of the sights in the state is the Mississippi Country Music Trail, which includes Tupelo, the two-room house in which Elvis was born. There’s also the Mississippi Blues Trail, which includes many of the highlights of Clarksdale's rich blues heritage.

Tennessee is another destination for electrifying live blues, especially in the neon-lit clubs along Memphis’ Beale Street. Memphis is home to the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, where you can dance to your favourite music videos, while in Nashville you can see stars in action at the Grand Ole Opry and the Ryman Auditorium. But the state’s smaller musical landmarks shouldn’t be overlooked, including Knoxville's Visitor's Center, home to The Blue Plate Special radio music show, Bluegrass Underground at Cumberland Caverns, and the Tina Turner Museum in Brownsville.

To book your music-themed holiday in the Deep South, call your Travel Counsellor today.

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