Robert Odell, Jr.

Robert Odell Jr. has lived and worked in Memphis, Tennessee, for several years. He enjoys sharing the rich cultural heritage of his city.

Club Handy: Famous Memphis Destination

Club Handy was named for W.C. Handy, “the father of the blues,” but the establishment was run and operated by Andrew “Sunbeam” Mitchell and his wife, Ernestine. In 1944, the couple leased two floors above the Pantaze Drug Store on Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee, and opened the Mitchell Hotel and the Domino Lounge, the venue that would later become Club Handy. Housed on the second floor and entered by climbing a stairway around the corner at 195 Hernando Street, the club went on to attract some of the biggest names on the “Chitlin’ Circuit.”

Did You Know?

During the years of United States segregation, the Chitlin’ Circuit was an ideal means for African American musicians to perform, hone their skills, and sustain themselves.

What Was the Chitlin’ Circuit?

The Chitlin’ Circuit was the name used to identify the network of clubs and cafes that had a loyal commitment to supporting blues and R&B music. During the years of United States segregation, before the civil rights movement, the Chitlin’ Circuit was an ideal means for African American musicians, entertainers, and comedians to perform, hone their skills, and sustain themselves.

The Mitchell Hotel

From 1945 to ’58, Mitchell’s Hotel was listed in local directories as a “colored hotel,” and was considered the leading one of its kind. Located one floor above the club, the hotel was considered “home” to many headline acts and blues musicians who were booked downstairs.

After renovation, the Pantaze-Mitchell building on Beale Street became the home of the Center for Southern Folklore. The center later moved into the old Goldsmith’s building on Main Street, giving “Wet Willie’s” the opportunity to move into the former Club Handy location. A marker, indicating the historical significance of the site, was placed in the area.

209 Beale St, Memphis, TN 38103, USA

get directions

Sunbeam Mitchell’s “Club Handy” was located on the upper floors of the old Pantaze Drug Store on Beale St. at Hernando in Memphis, TN.

A Major Stop on the Chitlin’ Circuit

The Chitlin’ Circuit was a name given for the clubs and cafes that not only occasionally served chitlins, but also staunchly supported and promoted the performers of traditional rhythm and blues music. Sunbeam was notorious for housing and helping to promote many up-and-coming, as well as headline, artists. As a result, it wasn’t long before Club Handy became a major stop on the circuit. Mitchell used the venue to help up-and-coming musicians who often performed in exchange for their room and board. The docudrama below depicts the club’s support of artists in more detail.

Why Was It Called the Chitlin’ Circuit?

Chitlins (a.k.a chitterlings) are pork intestines. In the past, chitlins were creatively and succulently cooked, served, and eaten by mostly poor Southern Blacks. The term “Chitlin’ Circuit” is still used today to refer to the venues, especially in the South, where contemporary African-American blues singers continue to appear regularly. Chitlins may or may not be served in these establishments.

Boiled chitlins being prepared in onions and other spices. Source: flickr

Fried chitlins at the annual Chitlin Strut in Salley, SC. Source: Danielle Wong Moores

Chitlins and vegetables. Source: wiseGEEK

Big Names at Club Handy

Club Handy attracted some of the biggest names on the Chitlin Circuit, including:

• Ike and Tina Turner
• Nat “King” Cole
• Count Basie
• Muddy Waters
• Little Richard
• Roy Brown
• Lionel Hampton
• Dizzy Gillespie
• Elvis Presley
• Sonny Boy Williamson
• Little Walter
• Howlin’ Wolf
• Fred Ford
• Stan Kenton
• Lou Rawls
• Denise Lasalle
• Joe Simon
• Albert King
• Tyrone Davis
• B.B. King (career launched in Memphis)
• Bobby “Blue” Bland (career launched in Memphis)
• Little Junior Parker (career launched in Memphis)
• Johnny Ace (career launched in Memphis)

The Doors Were Always Open

The doors of Club Handy were always open. Anybody and everybody that traveled the nationwide route of clubs commonly called The Chitlin’ Circuit, were welcomed with a handshake and open arms at Sunbeam’s Club Handy.

Sunbeam Helped Many Artists

The valuable advice Sunbeam Mitchell gave to up-and-coming artists helped to propel many of them into stellar careers. A young B.B. King, who frequently performed on Beale Street, received significant counsel and support from Sunbeam. A young man named Elvis also received valuable counsel from Mitchell which was instrumental in helping to launch his career.

Club Handy became recognized as the place where musicians could receive valuable music and music industry instruction.

An accomplished musician named Bill Harvey led the house band at Club Handy. Harvey was passionate about teaching and loved to share his knowledge of music with others. The guidance of Sunbeam along with the teachings of Harvey caused Club Handy to become recognized as the place where musicians could not only sharpen their skills but also receive valuable music and music industry instruction.

Musicians Played for Room and Board

Musicians played for Sunbeam in exchange for room and board. Lots of wayfaring musicians were given room and board for entertaining the crowds that gathered at Sunbeam’s Club Handy. Sunbeam and Ernestine’s place became the hot spot for musicians to obtain lodging and hone their skills.

Club Handy Was Well Known

Club Handy was well known for many things including:

• Giving musicians room and board
• Helping entertainers to be successful
• The place to perform via the “Chitlin’ Circuit”
• The place to see many big-name acts
• Staunch support and promotion of rhythm and blues
• The place to see homegrown stars such as Bobbie “Blue” Bland and B.B. King
• The best bowl of chili you could possibly eat

Club Handy was known for many things, including serving the best bowl of chili you could possibly eat.

Famous Chili

Sunbeam’s Club Handy had a reputation for not only housing up-and-coming musicians but also nourishing them with a bowl of his restaurant’s famous chili. Some of the best chili in the world was stirred around in huge pots at Sunbeam Mitchell’s Club Handy.

Bibliography

Images of America: Beale Street

The Historic Hippodrome … and Clubs Handy, Ebony, Paradise, Tropicana.

Lauterbach, P. (2006, July 01). Chitlin’ Circuit.

Take Me Back To Beale, Book II (During The Red Ball). Dir. Carolyn Yancy-Gunn. Edited by Robert Odell, Jr. Perfs. Arthur Smith, Tony Patterson, CFA Graduates. DVD. CFA Productions, Inc. Archives

Do you think the Chitlin’ Circuit is alive and well today?

• Yes
• No
• Only In The South

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2015 Robert Odell Jr.