2023 Ameripolitan Awards

Visual Highlights from the 2023 Ameripolitan Music Awards

THE AMERIPOLITAN AWARDS ARE HOSTED BY DALE WATSON AND CELINE LEE

Each year, a mix of quirky and eccentric musical artists come together for a reunion and celebration with like-minded people in Memphis, Tennessee. Performers are honored and supported while having fun and sharing their music at the Ameripolitan Music Awards which are hosted by American Country singer and songwriter Dale Watson and his wife, singer Celine Lee. This year’s awards were held at the Guest House at Graceland Feb. 17-19th, 2023.

The event has been on hold for the past few years due to the pandemic but is once again in full swing.

You can find a list of the winners here.

Lucky for Memphians, the event is held right here in Bluff City and it offers hours of endless fun. Their four-day-long party rotates between Hernando’s Hide-A-Way and the beautiful Guest House at Graceland while celebrating Honky Tonk, Western Swing, Rockabilly, and Outlaw genres of music.

Spiffy dancers in their best attire, swing their way across the floor, inspired by some of the nation’s top artists. Vendors come from around the country selling boots, fringe jackets, belt buckles, and clothes, sometimes gently worn, authentic, top-notch vintage outfits. Sunday evening, after brunch and a few rounds of Chicken Sh*t Bingo at Hernando’s, the crowd moves back to the Guest House for the Awards.

All of this takes place just up the street from the home of Elvis Presley, Graceland.

Memphis has become a popular tourist destination, especially for those with a passion for music. With a rich musical history, Condé Nast Traveler named Memphis one of the 23 Best Places to Go in 2023 list and the 3 Best Places to Go in the U.S. in 2023 list.

Alex Greene from the Memphis Flyer did a story to preview the event. https://www.memphisflyer.com/full-schedule-for-ameripolitan-music-awards-released

Giant Pandas Leaving Memphis Zoo

It is hard to believe it’s been 20 years since the pandas came to Memphis from China.

 Today, the Memphis Zoo announced that the aging pandas, Ya Ya and Le Le were both going to live out their days back home in China.

 “After two decades, Memphis Zoo's current giant panda loan agreement with the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens will end and Ya Ya and Le Le will make the journey back to China within the next few months. Ya Ya and Le Le have been integral parts of the Memphis community for the past 20 years and we are grateful for the time we were able to spend with them. During their time at Memphis Zoo, Ya Ya and Le Le helped pioneer research and conservation projects to teach others about the importance of their species. It has been a privilege to host these incredible bears at Memphis Zoo for the past two decades and the impact their culture has had on the City of Memphis will forever be remembered” the zoo said in a statement on Facebook.

 I was fortunate enough to go to China in 2003 on assignment for The Commercial Appeal, when the Memphis Zoo went to pick up the pandas. I feel very connected to them. I have photographed and filmed them very many times over the years.

“China requires foreign zoos that host pandas on loan to allow older animals to spend their final days on Chinese soil. At 24 and 22, respectively, Le Le and Ya Ya have exceeded the giant panda life expectancy in the wild by almost 10 years, according to the spokesperson.” (Reuters, link below)

 I have put together some of the highlights from their stay, which included a Time Magazine cover celebrating their arrival.

All Images Subject to Copyright ©Karen Pulfer Focht

The Giant Pandas in China before coming to Memphis. Matt Thompson, who is now President and CEO of the Memphis Zoo was among zoo officials in 2003 and is seen here with the Pandas, Ya Ya and Le Le in China.

Zoo officials worked closely with China while doing their panda breeding research.

VIDEO BELOW

My photo was featured in the China Daily story which speaks to how well the Memphis Zoo cared for these pandas-

http://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202301/05/WS63b5a51ea31057c47eba7b4e.html

One of the other places you can see Giant Pandas in the US is at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington D.C. Their new baby is shown here playing below.

VIDEO BELOW

XIAO QI JI, born to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo on Aug. 21, 2020 plays in his habitat on June 23, 2021. The male panda cub was born to mother Mei Xiang and father Tian Tian. The Smithsonian’s National Zoo reopened to the public for the first time since late November at the end of May, 2021.

Reuters used my photos and did a story today- The local papers also did a story. The Links are below.

http://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202301/05/WS63b5a51ea31057c47eba7b4e.html

https://www.reuters.com/world/china/bye-bye-ya-ya-le-le-memphis-pandas-be-returned-china-2022-12-21/

https://dailymemphian.com/section/metro/article/33035/memphis-zoo-pandas-yaya-lele-returning-to-china

https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/breaking/2022/12/21/memphis-zoo-giant-pandas-leaving-returning-china/69747274007/

This history of the Pandas-

https://dailymemphian.com/subscriber/section/metrocity-of-memphis/article/33057/memphis-zoo-giant-pandas-big-impact

Panda Conservation-

https://wwf.panda.org/discover/knowledge_hub/endangered_species/giant_panda/panda/panda_evolutionary_history/

Memphis Ukulele Flash Mob at the St. Jude Marathon 2022

There is just something about a bunch of ukuleles playing together that makes people smile. Each year, our Memphis Ukulele Flash Mob entertains the runners in the St. Jude Marathon. Often they are exhausted, they laugh, cry, smile, dance and some even stop to take selfies with us. It’s a wonderful thing to be a part of.

Runners raise millions of dollars to fight against rare forms of childhood cancer. https://www.stjude.org/get-involved/fitness-fundraisers/memphis-marathon.html

I love the story behind St. Jude and the founding of the hospital by Danny Thomas. Praying to St. Jude Thaddeus, the patron saint of hopeless causes, Danny asked the saint to “help me find my way in life, and I will build you a shrine.” It is so inspiring to live in Memphis and see the fulfillment of the promise that Thomas made to St. Jude. It is always a powerful reminder to me, of how each of us has the power to change the world and be a blessing to others. https://www.stjude.org/directory/t/danny-thomas-founder.html

It was his wish that children are treated here for catastrophic childhood cancer, while families never receive a bill so that they can focus on their sick child instead of medical bills.

This video below from 2021 shows what our experience is like. A runner sees us and starts weeping. The event is always bittersweet.

An Evening with Elizabeth King: The Sacred Soul Queen of Memphis

ON THE SEASONED SIDE OF LIFE: Performance Highlights of Gospel Singer Elizabeth King at Crosstown, Memphis

Surrounded by amazing Memphis musicians, 78-year-old gospel singer Elizabeth King pours out her heart and soul while performing at Crosstown Arts in Memphis, Tennessee Aug. 27, 2022. She was accompanied by her daughters. King is experiencing a career resurgence after taking time out to raise 15 children. She has recently recorded on Bible & Tire Recording Company.

King tells the story of how she was “Touched by God” and how he changed her life forever.

New Baz Luhrmann Elvis Movie Tops Box Office

“The King is No. 1 at the domestic box office.

After a heated box office battle, “Elvis” emerged victorious over “Top Gun: Maverick” to claim the top spot on North American box office charts.” Variety

https://variety.com/2022/film/box-office/box-office-top-gun-maverick-elvis-winner-1235304037/

ENJOY SOME PHOTO AND VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS FROM GRACELAND IN MEMPHIS

What does Lisa Marie think about the new Elvis movie?

How does Austin Butler feel about playing Elvis?

In early June of 2022 sneak preview was held in the theater at Guest House at Graceland with producer Baz Luhrmann and the actors in the movie. The actors each spoke about being in the movie before the screening.

Graceland Through the Years

The Wedding Chapel at Graceland

I was fortunate enough to meet and photograph Sam Phillips, the man who discovered and recorded Elvis at Sun Studio. Phillips was a real visionary.

Christmas at Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley, in Memphis, Tennessee.

A short video of Christmas at Graceland, In Memphis, Tennessee

Did you know you can sleep where Elvis slept? The Memphis apartment he lived in can be rented out for the night.

This was Elvis’s favorite horse on the carousel at Liberty Land in Memphis, Tennessee. It is now at the Children’s Museum in Memphis.

Get your Goat!

Mississippi farmer Peter Hellwig, age 90, has been drinking raw milk most of his life. He has been milking animals for over 72 years and considers himself an expert on raw milk. He recently shared his thoughts with me on the benefits of raw milk.

Peter maintained the health of his animals with the help of a local vet who frequently tested his animals for disease.

The health benefits of raw milk have become a bit of a controversial topic. Because raw goat milk is unpasteurized, be extremely careful of the source from which you obtain it and always, you should consult with your doctor before consuming it.

SHORT VIDEO BELOW:

PHOTO GALLERY BELOW: