Random Celebrity Memories! Vol. Six: Sam Phillips

I recently saw "Walk the Line" and remembered a good random celebrity memory for you to enjoy.

A few years back, I was fortunate enough to find myself with a booking in Columbus, Mississippi. I know that doesn't really sound like such a fortunate happening, but indeed it was. I met some great people, saw some beautiful country, ate some outstanding food, and managed to pass through one of my favorite cities - Memphis, Tennessee.

I'd never been to Memphis prior to this trip. Whenever I have long travels ahead of me I tend to leave a day or two early in order to help insure I don't miss the gig due to roadside emergencies. Seeing that Memphis was directly in my path of travel I took it upon myself to explore.

Memphis is just too much fun. They have a fantastic zoo, many museums, Graceland, and if you are a rock music fan (like myself) you simply can't find a better place to roam than Memphis. At the time I was there the Stax Museum of Soul Music had not yet been completed. However, the original Sun Records recording studio was still around and it was certainly a GREAT place to take a tour, especially if moments before you were enjoying the tacky splendor that is Graceland.

Sam Phillips was the owner of Sun Records and arguably, the inventor of Rock n' Roll. He was the first to record and produce such greats as Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, and one of my heroes, Johnny Cash. Knowing I could stand in the same room where some of the greatest rock and roll music was ever recorded I was eager to see Sun Studios.

After completing my tour and spending some cash on CDs and other souvenirs I finally made my way to the car. Upon leaving, I came across two older, bearded guys who, by my estimation, were admiring the edifice of Sun Studios. I assumed they were simple fans, just like myself.

The one gentleman who was doing the vast majority of the talking, pointing, and mentioning historic events, looked somewhat familiar to me. However he looked more like someone with "one of those faces" as opposed to someone I should genuinely be familiar with otherwise. Honestly, in Memphis, you tend to see a lot of older, bearded guys with sunglasses so I saw no reason to take any special notice.

In any event I thought these guys were caught up in the moment and swept away by being in the presence of such a holy place. As I passed them I made a general quip, "It is kind of overwhelming. Isn't it?" The man in the glasses and jacket just looked at me and in an effort to blow me off said with sarcasm, "I've seen it!" I laughed and walked away.

As I got about half-way down the block it dawned on me why the man seemed so familiar to me. I turned around and took as close a look as I could, sneaking back a little bit to get a better look. Indeed I had just walked past the great Sam Phillips. The original Sun Studios is still a functioning recording studio and behind the historic building is a more modern recording facility used by bands from across the world. Of course Sam Phillips could be seen in the area. I felt so stupid.

I thought about returning and trying to shake his hand or something, but thinking about it, I doubt I'd have managed a more stereotypically "Andy" moment than the brief exchange of words I had with a legend. I just walked away, embarrassed and in awe.