EXPERIENCE THIS

CELEBRATING 22 YEARS OF MUSIC,

LIVE AT THE GARDEN

TEXT BY SHERRY MAY, CO-DIRECTOR, LIVE AT THE GARDEN & RADIANS AMPHITHEATER

june 15, 2001. That was the date of the very first concert at the Memphis Botanic Garden. And who better than Memphis’ own Isaac Hayes to kick -off a new outdoor summer concert series that would become known as Live at the Garden. I will always remember that night and seeing the vision that so many had worked on become a reality. Over 3,000 people purchased tickets. I knew we were on to something good!

Live at the Garden was special from the start. Renowned artists performing outdoors under the stars. A place where you could bring your own picnic, sit at a table or on a blanket on the lush lawn that the Garden offered. No matter where you sat, you were part of a Memphis garden party. A place to see old and new friends and listen to great live music, no matter what the genre. That was always the vision.

Picnicking, fashion, and tablescapes took on lives of their own. People planned their menus weeks in advance for each concert. You would see wine glasses, centerpieces, candelabras and bedazzled coolers everywhere. Live at the Garden had officially become an annual event, and people had to plan their outfits accordingly. Stylish, cool and comfortable attire was a must!

In those first few years, we didn’t have a permanent stage but what we did have was 96 acres of beautiful landscape at the Memphis Botanic Garden. Our first stage was a fabric domed shell and in addition to Hayes, in those early years we attracted such artists as Lyle Lovett, Harry Connick, Jr., Ray Charles, Chris Isaac and Wynonna just to name a few.

with each passing year, Live at the Garden grew bigger and better with more and more season table and lawn pass holders supporting the 5-show series. By 2005, we felt that we had outgrown the makeshift dome stage so we moved our location east, down the hill, to another open area within the Garden that would accommodate larger audiences. We brought in a larger stage from Louisiana that would load in before the first concert in June and leave us after the last show in September. On that stage, we saw performances by legends such as Rev. Al Green, Joe Cocker, Diana Ross, Tony Bennett and Donna Summer. We saw the up-and-comers such as Michael Buble and Sugarland. We saw fan favorites like Chicago, Earth, Wind & Fire, Huey Lewis & the News, and ZZ Top.

In 2013, we dreamed big. We felt like we could take Live at the Garden to the next level, but that would require a permanent stage and backstage area that could accommodate larger touring acts. We kicked off a capital campaign, raised 6.5 million dollars from foundations, companies, and fans and broke ground. As the final sod was still being laid, we opened the 2014 series with country supergroup Little Big Town on a world-class stage with the proper infrastructure in place for us to be able to handle most any artist in front of over 7,400 people.

Although Covid cancelled what would have been our 20th season in 2020, we celebrated the milestone by constructing a Can’t Stop The Music Donor Wall, which is permanently located on the west side of the stage. It is filled with Live at the Garden sponsors and fans and their sentiments

regarding the long-running series. We were able to come back with the series in June 2021 and celebrated our 100th concert with Brad Paisley and Jimmie Allen.

I often have to pinch myself when I go back in my mind to the beginning and recall of all of the amazing memories of performers that have entertained us and made music lovers of all ages want to get up and dance in the Garden!

Our next season is upon us and this year’s lineup is sure not to disappoint! First-time artists to perform at Live at the Garden Steely Dan and Lady A, alumni artists Darius Rucker, Chicago and the Doobie Brothers with Michael McDonald comprise the 5-show concert series for 2022.

so, start planning those menus, dust off the candles and get out your dancing shoes. We are ready to rock. See you this summer at the Garden! PHOTO BY JAMES WESSELLS