Music Review: Southern Avenue - Rum Boogie
Some songs feel like memories wrapped in music. Rum Boogie, the latest single from Southern Avenue, is exactly that—a time capsule of the band’s earliest days, back when they were just another hungry group of musicians playing for tips, beer, and a shot at something bigger. It’s a song that doesn’t just tell their story—it takes you there.
This is Memphis music in motion. The groove is relentless, the energy is undeniable, and the feel is straight out of a late-night jam session on Beale Street. It’s a road-trip anthem built on deep, rolling bass and locked-in drums, driven by Tierinii Jackson’s unmistakable voice—soulful, gritty, and full of fire. The track perfectly captures that moment when a band is finding itself, one show at a time, in the smoky haze of clubs like Rum Boogie Café, The Buccaneer, and Bar DKDC.
But it’s not just a song about places—it’s about a city that embraced them. Memphis has a way of rooting for its own, and Southern Avenue felt that from the start. They weren’t just another band playing the circuit; they were something special, and people knew it. The sweat-soaked gigs, the long nights, the grind of loading gear in and out of tiny bars—it all led them to this.
One of the song’s highlights is a blistering piano solo from Jeremy Powell, a former member of the band whose playing is as much a part of their history as the venues they name-check. His keys dance over the groove, a nod to the blues and soul that pulse through Memphis like blood through veins. It’s a moment that reminds you Southern Avenue isn’t just carrying on the city’s musical legacy—they’re adding to it.
Since those early days, the band has gone from dive bars to the biggest stages in the world—opening for Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, and even joining Bob Dylan’s tour lineup. They’ve played Farm Aid, Bonnaroo, and more, earning a Grammy nomination and multiple Blues Music Awards along the way. But no matter how far they go, Memphis will always be home.
Rum Boogie isn’t just a song—it’s a reminder of where they came from and why they do this. It’s the sound of a band that has paid its dues, found its voice, and never forgotten the city that shaped it. So turn it up, hit the road, and let Memphis ride shotgun.
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