A handful of veterans entertain the Thursday-night crowd in The Boss lounge at 912 Jackson. Bass player Leroy Hodges of the vaunted Hi rhythm section, former Bar-Kays and Soul Children drummer Roy Cunningham, keyboardist Jesse Dotson, and Denise LaSalle's guitarist Kenny Lee Kight make the Memphis Connection with guest vocalists Sugarman and Preacherman.
The Boss’ bossman parks his Rolls Royce out front, lending a touch of class to the squat, black building. Inside, though, it’s all neon, disco décor, and plasma screens. The plasmas might roll with the night’s NBA action, or a kung-fu DVD on repeat. The stage is beautifully framed with mirrors and a red neon sign reminding you where you’re at.
The Boss offers intimate settings and friendly environs, embodying Mel Waiters' anthem "Hole in the Wall": "Smoke filled room, whiskey and chicken wings / People dancin' and drinkin' and no one wants to leave."
These treats can all be enjoyed in abundance at the Boss.
A night at the Boss lounge turns back the hands of time. Ladies and gentlemen get decked out in suits and hats. The North Memphis lounge hosts regular live entertainment during the week, and the occasional big deal coming through town. It's probably our favorite local juke, and we've been there quite a few times, though we've never seen so many folks pack the place as we did Saturday April 7.
The crowd included a who's who of players on the local music scene, including Preacher Man, decked out in red suit and matching Kangol bucket hat, L.D. Conley, owner of C.C. Blues Club and Club Pisces, and at least a half dozen aspiring singers and young talents.
On stage, Miss Nikki and her merry band of French maids gave the men in the crowd the twice-over with their feather dusters while Nikki sang her version of "Clean-up Man." Between acts, MC Steve Ladd bantered, with lines like "I go fishing every day... in my three piece suit... at Kroger," sounding like Rufus Thomas at amateur night at the Palace Theatre 60 years ago.
Charles Wilson (left) headlined on the strength of his hit "Mississippi Boy." The song celebrates downhome, old-fashioned ways, so it makes sense that the venue and crowd would do the same. O.T. Sykes, the "Singing Dentist," a story in his own right, closed things out.
Ladd of WDIA says he's putting together a regular Thursday night affair at the lounge, so you know that'll be strong.