08/13/2026
The Ultimate Music Cities Tour!
Are you ready to tap your toes, snap your fingers, and dive headfirst into the very heart and soul of American music?
MCSC is thrilled to present an 8-Day Music Cities Tour, on May 10, 2027! We are hitting the road to explore three legendary hubs of rhythm, blues, country, and jazz: New Orleans, Memphis, and Nashville! This trip is an absolute dream for music lovers, foodies, and history buffs alike.
To get you in tune for this incredible trip, here are some legendary facts about the iconic cities we'll be visiting:
The Birth of Jazz : New Orleans is universally recognized as the birthplace of jazz. It was the only place in the antebellum South where enslaved people were allowed to gather publicly to play music, sing, and dance on Sundays in Congo Square—a tradition that laid the foundation for jazz, blues, and gospel.
A Million-Dollar Jam Session : Sun Studio in Memphis is famous for launching the careers of Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. In 1956, an impromptu jam session occurred there featuring Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins. They were dubbed the "Million Dollar Quartet," and the recordings remain legendary to this day!
The "Mother Church" of Country Music: Nashville’s famous Ryman Auditorium (original home of the Grand Ole Opry) was actually built as a house of worship called the Union Gospel Tabernacle. When the Grand Ole Opry moved in, the wooden pews remained, earning it the affectionate, lasting nickname "The Mother Church."
The Home of Rock 'n' Roll (Memphis): Dewey Phillips, a Memphis DJ, was the first person to ever play Elvis Presley's "That's All Right" on the radio in 1954. He had to interview Elvis on-air immediately afterward to prove to listeners that the young singer was actually from Memphis!
Duration: 8 Days of musical history, culture, and incredible sightseeing
Destinations: New Orleans, LA ➡️ Memphis, TN ➡️ Nashville, TN
Pack your bags and get ready for a playlist of lifetime memories! Contact the Monroe Community Senior Center today to pick up your itinerary, ask questions, and claim your seat on this soulful journey!