Memphis bluesman Eric Gales says his songs come from a “place of pain”. Speaking during his exclusive performance at Memphis Tourism’s annual travel trade event in Sydney, Gales – a Grammy-nominated musician – even tells the packed house at the Soda Factory that he should be dead, without going into detail. But even that’s not unusual for a bluesman, whose songs often speak of tough times.
In Sydney and Melbourne this week, Gales breathed life into audiences who may not have known his songs, but recognised their power – and the part Memphis, Eric’s hometown, played in their origin. Because just like Gales, Memphis has also travelled an oft-tumultuous path, only to emerge stronger – and from a tourism angle, able to energise those who journey to the famed Tennessee town.
Or for those who can’t make it there (for now, at least), through the music of artists like Eric Gales, who has more than 18 albums under his belt and has even been compared to Jimi Hendrix for his virtuoso left-handed guitar playing.
Memphis Tourism’s trade events are always a highlight of the travel industry calendar – as the city itself is a highlight of any tour to the States – and in 2025 it was no different.
This year, Memphis Tourism again partnered with United Airlines as well as Globus Family of Brands (GFOB) to host Gales at extraordinary events in Sydney and Melbourne, giving travel agents and wholesalers a taste of the birthplace of blues, soul and rock ’n’ roll.
On Tuesday night at the Soda Factory, more than 150 guests gathered round for side A of the music-inspired roadshow, before over 120 more travel industry professionals took to Melbourne’s The Toff for side B of the show.
With his trade commitments complete, Gales now takes to the stage at the annual Blues on Broadbeach festival in Queensland, an event with which Memphis Tourism has a long association. The festival runs from 15-18 May 2024 on the Gold Coast.
“We were thrilled to see such a great turnout of the travel industry at last night’s event and to share just a taste of the incredible music scene Memphis has to offer,” Memphis Tourism Australia and New Zealand Director Chris Ingram said following the Victorian event.
“This important travel trade initiative wouldn’t have been possible without the invaluable support of our trusted partners, United Airlines and Globus.”
Speaking to Karryon at the Sydney event, Ingram said the US saw 8 per cent more Aussie visitors for the year ending April 2025 than for the previous 12 months. Indeed, Memphis could see some of this extra visitation, as the city ramps up activities in the lead-up to the celebration of the 100th birthday of BB King in September.
You can bet your bottom dollar, Eric Gales will be there.
- Explore more of Memphis at https://www.memphistravel.com/aus
- For more on Blues on Broadbeach, visit https://bluesonbroadbeach.com/
- Learn more about United Airlines at https://www.united.com/en/au
- To learn more about Globus Family of Brands visit, https://www.globus.com.au/
