A Season Full of Ups and Downs and Unknowns

This Grizzlies season has been full of many ups and downs and unknowns; it’s been a season full of emotion for the players, the fans and the coaches.

Marc Gasol got to play hard in front of Zach Randolph, who watched him try and break a record from the bench. Fans cried as their beloved Marc Gasol was traded and it was the first time there was not a Gasol on the team since the Grizzlies moved to Memphis. Super fans Bongo Lady and Growel Towel Carol became double trouble as the two became seat mates. They cried together with Marc Gasol’s mother, when she came to a game to watch Pau shortly after Marc was traded. They held hands.

LeBron James gave Briane Miller, an assistant equipment manager for the Memphis Grizzlies, his shoes during a game, she cried, he hugged her and the story went viral.

Rookie Jaren Jacks Jr. hula hooped on Beale street and won over Memphis fans with his charm, moxie and basketball skills.

The fans have embraced Joakim Noah, Jonas Valanciunas and many other new Grizzlies.

The Japanese media was here most of the season watching Yuta Watanabe.

Chandler Parson hardly played and then came back and played hard.

Mike Conley is the last man standing of the core four, and it is unknown if he will be back in next season.

People said the Grizzlies were fun to watch again by the end of the season and that the games were more exciting.

It has been a season full of shocks, including Thursday when the Grizzlies sent Chris Wallace and Bickerstaff out to speak to the media and a few hours later, fired Bickerstaff and reassigned Wallace.

It is an evolving process. We will see what next season brings.

As always you can follow Geoff Calkins in the Daily Memphian for excellent coverage.

https://dailymemphian.com/section/sports/article/4426/Calkins-No-words-to-explain-how-the-Grizzlies-treated-Wallace-and-Bickerstaff

https://dailymemphian.com/article/4444/New-Grizzlies-leadership-addresses-changes-new-philosophy

Most Rev. David Talley Installed as Bishop in Memphis

Most Rev. David Talley installed as sixth bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Memphis at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on April 2nd, 2019.

Tigers beat Tulsa for a 66-63 victory Saturday night

Tigers beat Tulsa for a 66-63 victory Saturday night.

Memphis mayor Jim Strickland declared Saturday to be Jeremiah Martin Day.

To read more about it see stories in the Daily Memphian @

https://dailymemphian.com/article/index/3657/Season-One-Chapter-18-Jeremiah-Martin-saves-the-day-his-day

https://dailymemphian.com/article/3662/Victory-over-Tulsa-caps-Senior-celebration-builds-momentum-for-AAC-Tourney

The 31st Folk Alliance International conference in Montreal, Canada.

Industry professionals got intimate concerts and opportunities to connect with artists at the 31st Folk Alliance International conference in Montreal, Canada. Artists showcased their music all around the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth hotel.

Conference attendees and folk friends around the world were invited to join a live-streaming a performance of “Give Peace a Chance” from their own beds on February 16th at 9:30 am ET.

“In 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono staged a bed-in at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth hotel in Montréal, Canada where they penned and recorded the iconic pacifist song “Give Peace a Chance.” 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of this historic moment in music history, and our conference is taking place in the same hotel!” Folk Alliance International~

This weekend 78-year-old singer -songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie, who had a string of hits in the 60’s and 70’s was honored at the event. She is a peace activist and a very private person who seldom leaves her farm in Hawaii. She recently released a biography.

In what was a folkies paradise, thousands of folk music fans came together to hear music legends in the historic Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal. While it was frigid outside, the warmth inside between old friends was palpable. I was sitting next to Tom Paxton as he whooped it up and gave a thumbs up to Livingston Taylor after he performed Somewhere Over The Rainbow. As soon as the set was over, Paxton approached the stage and the two embraced.  Both artists have been able to maintain longstanding careers in the folk industry. 

The reporter I was working with and I looked for every opportunity to slip into the space where Livingston Taylor was giving his delightful performances. His warm and inviting style was very engaging; his vocals soothing and his guitar playing joyful. But what made Livingston special to me was his performance charisma. Frequently interrupting himself, as to never let a teaching moment pass, he's filled wisdom and humor and eager to share both with his audience. This says a lot, when you think that more than 1,000 singers, songwriters and musicians from around the world were competing for the attention of industry professionals. 

There is just something about Livingston that speaks heart to heart.

~~Young artist connected to industry professionals and each other, while showcasing their own music.

Story by award winning reporter Mike Sangiacomo, Cleveland Plain Dealer. https://www.cleveland.com/arts/2019/02/folk-alliance-conference-unites-musicians-from-around-the-world.html

Next years event will be in New Orleans.

VIDEO OF LIVINGSTON TAYLOR SINGING SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW ABOVE WITH APPROVAL OF TOM PAXTON AT THE END.

Marc Gasol Traded to Toronto Raptors

It has been such an honor and a pleasure to photograph Marc Gasol. As a freelance photojournalist in Memphis, I have had the opportunity to cover NBA basketball star Memphis Grizzlies Marc Gasol in a variety of way for a variety of clients. He has meant so much to this community as this photo gallery reflects. It is about much more than basketball. This city loves Marc and Marc has loved Memphis back.

Marc is Memphis.

GOOD LUCK ON YOUR NEW JOURNEY MARC!