(MEMPHIS, TN) -- In an effort to support Memphis’ local music community and engage global audiences, Memphis Tourism’s Music Hub has created a virtual music relay festival. The event will kick off with one performance on Thursday, March 26th, 2020 and continue through Saturday evening with performances scheduled at a variety of times over three days. The festival will be held via a Facebook event, co-hosted by Memphis Tourism and I Love Memphis. Several other pop-up virtual performances will happen throughout the week on Instagram Live to virtually promote the event.

“This is the time to give back to the Memphis music community that has given so much to our city’s cultural identity,” says Music Specialist Jayne Ellen White. “Our music has brought such joy to so many and now is the time to speak to the world through our universal language: music.”

The lineup, which includes headliners such as Mononeon, Ben Nichols of Lucero, and Grammy-nominated band Southern Avenue, also features IMakeMadBeats Cameron Bethany, Derek & Doll, Louise Page, D'Monet, Tonya Dyson, The Stereograms, and Brandon Kinder of The Wealthy West. 

Memphis Tourism's Music Hub is partnering with Music Export Memphis to collect donations for a COVID-19 Relief Fund benefiting musicians who have lost gigs as a result of the health crisis.

Memphians, especially our musicians, have always given back in times of need. This project serves as a way for the global community of music fans to help support the Memphis music community during this challenging time.

“Our local musicians play an integral part of the Memphis destination’s identity as a live music city,” says Kevin Kane President and CEO of Memphis Tourism. “Their talents not only keep Memphis’ music scene vibrant but, now more than ever, they are able to share those talents to lift up, not only our local community but also a world of music fans. As people around the world connect with us during this virtual musical festival, these outstanding artists will have an opportunity to not only share their talents with new audiences, but also share messages of hope.” 

The event page, which is co-hosted by Memphis Tourism and I Love Memphis, can be accessed via this link.

About the Memphis Music Hub

Created in 2019, Memphis Tourism’s music hub serves to connect the city’s current local musicians, music venues, and music organizations with our city’s visitors. It also further identifies the city’s unique musical spirit by highlighting the prolific musicians that use their innovative skills to lay new paths for musicians around the world.

Founded in 1923, Memphis Tourism, a 501(c)(6) membership organization, serves as the official destination marketing and tourism organization for Memphis and Shelby County. The Memphis Tourism sales staff covers the convention, sports and tourism sales market segments and is supported by a marketing department that includes advertising, digital marketing, research, public relations and membership. Memphis Tourism also has representatives for the destination working in Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Japan and the United Kingdom.  Each year thousands visit two Memphis Tourism owned and operated visitor centers in Whitehaven and Arlington, along with a third downtown center that is operated in partnership with the state of Tennessee State Department of Tourism. Memphis Tourism’s commitment to workforce and economic development efforts are managed through its 501(c)(3) affiliate, Welcome to Memphis, which works to ensure tourism and hospitality professionals are equipped with customer service skills and destination knowledge to create a positive visitor experience. The Memphis Sports Council operates within Memphis Tourism and works to bring a variety of large and small sporting events to Memphis and Shelby County each year, in addition to supporting annual sporting events. Memphis Management Group (MMG), a subsidiary of Memphis Tourism, operates both the Memphis Cook Convention Center and The Cannon Center for the Performing Arts.