Memphis Rock n Soul Museum/Memphis Music Hall of Fame Museum

What Memphis Rock n Soul Museum/Memphis Music Hall of Fame Museum does

The Memphis Rock n Soul Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit cultural institution operating a Smithsonian-affiliated exhibition that tells the story of Memphis music from the 1930s to the present, including its intersection with civil rights history. Founded in 2000 and co-located with the Memphis Music Hall of Fame Museum, the organization operates from 191 Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee, on the FedExForum plaza, with a staff of 9. The core product is a self-guided tour through seven galleries featuring over 300 minutes of audio content, more than 100 songs, 30+ instruments, and 40 costumes, supplemented by a 72-page educational curriculum, a Memphis Music mobile app, and the annual Memphis Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

The museum generates earned revenue through admissions ($16 adult, $12 youth), group bookings ($11 adult, $8 youth for 10+ persons), combo tickets ($21 dual-museum, $108 Backstage Pass across four attractions), private event rentals for 60-200 guests, branded merchandise, and a tiered membership program ($300-$1,000 annually). Contributed revenue is sourced from major donors, foundation grants (ArtsMemphis, Mike Curb Foundation, Jeniam Foundation), and corporate partnerships with Memphis Grizzlies, FedExForum, ArtsMemphis, and Levy Restaurants. The customer base spans tourists, K-12 educational groups (including Shelby County students via the 901 Student Passport program), local residents, and corporate event planners.

The organization is currently in a major expansion phase following the March 2024 purchase of the former Hard Rock Cafe building on Beale Street for $5 million, with a $10M Phase 2 capital campaign underway to consolidate both museums under the J.W. & Kathy Gibson Center of Memphis Music brand. Distribution is concentrated in Memphis with growing digital merchandise sales and strategic tourism partnerships across the Southeast U.S. and global tourist markets.

Name

Memphis Rock n Soul Museum/Memphis Music Hall of Fame Museum

Legal name

Memphis Rock 'n' Soul, Inc.

Website

https://memphisrocknsoul.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Memphis Rock n Soul Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit operating a Smithsonian-affiliated music history exhibit on Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee, serving 60,000+ annual visitors including tourists, K-12 students, and event clients through admissions, memberships, and educational programming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Music Museum and Cultural Attraction

NAICS

Museums (71211), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121), Museums (712110)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Cultural Centers & Community Cultural Organizations (BPAGAHAD)

Keywords

• Music museum exhibits
• Cultural heritage attraction
• Smithsonian affiliated museums
• Music history education
• Museum venue rentals

Headquarters

HQ city

Memphis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Museum Admissions: Entry fees for individual and group visitors to the Memphis Rock n Soul Museum and Memphis Music Hall of Fame. Adults $16, youth $12, with discounts for AAA, AARP, military, and Smithsonian members. Combo tickets with both museums available.
2. Gift Shop / Merchandise Sales: Online and in-person merchandise store selling branded apparel, accessories, and memorabilia including t-shirts, caps, mugs, posters, and collectibles.
3. Private Event Rentals: Venue rental for private parties, receptions, seated dinners, and corporate functions. Accommodates up to 200 persons for receptions and up to 150 for seated dinners. Catering provided by Levy Restaurants.
4. Donations and Membership: 501(c)(3) non-profit accepting donations at various levels ($10-$500+) and membership program 'Join The Band' with tiers from $300-$1,000 annually offering exclusive benefits.
5. Combo Tickets and Package Deals: Backstage Pass ticket combining admission to four Memphis music attractions (Rock n Soul, Sun Studio, Stax Museum, Graceland) for $108, representing 19% savings off individual admissions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Memphis Rock n Soul Museum operates two physical museum locations on Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee, featuring the Smithsonian-affiliated "Rock n Soul: Social Crossroads" exhibition and the Memphis Music Hall of Fame Museum. The organization sells museum admission tickets, an annual "Join The Band" membership program, private event venue rentals, and museum-branded merchandise. It also operates a free educational program with curriculum guides and a mobile music discovery app.

Product overview

The Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum operates as a dual-museum organization offering a comprehensive Memphis music experience. The core offering includes the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum (Smithsonian-affiliated exhibit telling the complete Memphis music story from rural 1930s culture through the birth of rock and soul music) and the Memphis Music Hall of Fame Museum (celebrating the heroes of Memphis music through inductees and memorabilia). Supporting offerings include a Digital Audio Tour Guide (300+ minutes, 100+ songs), the Backstage Pass combo ticket (discounted admission to four Memphis attractions), the Sound Education Program with curriculum materials, the Memphis Music App for iOS/Android, and the Museum Store offering branded merchandise. The organization also administers the Memphis Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and operates the 901 Student Passport program in partnership with Shelby County. A major expansion is underway with the 'J.W. & Kathy Gibson Center of Memphis Music' at the former Hard Rock Cafe building.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• J.W. & Kathy Gibson Center of Memphis Music: Future branding for the combined facility housing both Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum and Memphis Music Hall of Fame Museum at the former Hard Rock Cafe location
• Mike & Linda Curb Music Center
• Memphis Music App

Products and services

• Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum Admission General public museum admission to the Smithsonian-affiliated exhibition telling the story of Memphis music from 1930s rural culture through the birth of rock and soul to its global influence, with seven galleries, 30+ instruments, 40 costumes, and a digital audio tour guide. Adults $16, youth $12, with discounts for AAA, AARP, military, and Smithsonian members.
• Memphis Music Hall of Fame Museum Admission Sister museum at 126 Beale Street introducing visitors to the "Heroes of Memphis Music" through inductees, memorabilia, and exhibits. Combined admission with Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum available for $21 per person.
• Backstage Pass Combo Ticket Combo ticket providing admission to four Memphis music attractions: Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum, Sun Studio, Stax Museum, and Graceland Elvis Experience Tour. Priced at $108 (saves $25 / 19% off) and valid for one year from purchase date.
• Memphis Music App Free mobile application for iOS and Android that helps users discover upcoming Memphis music events, meet Memphis musicians, test Memphis music knowledge, and keep up with Memphis music news.
• Museum Store / Branded Merchandise Online and in-person gift shop offering museum-branded apparel, accessories, and memorabilia including t-shirts (e.g., Guitar Grizz T-Shirt at $22), sweatshirts (e.g., Guitar Grizz Sweatshirt at $30), caps, mugs, posters, and collectibles.
• Private Events and Venue Rentals Venue rental service for private parties, receptions, seated dinners, and corporate functions at the museum's Beale Street location. Accommodates up to 200 persons for receptions and up to 150 for seated dinners, with catering provided by Levy Restaurants.
• Join The Band Membership Program Annual membership program with four tiers (Lead Guitarist $300, Headliner $500, Chart Topper $750, Superstar $1,000), providing unlimited museum admissions, guest passes, exclusive party invitations, Memphis Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony tickets, and donor recognition benefits.
• Memphis Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Annual event paying tribute to iconic Memphis musicians through the Memphis Music Hall of Fame, featuring VIP tickets, meet and greet receptions, and opening exhibitions for inductees.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000,000 total visitors welcomed since opening in 2000
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Smithsonian InstitutioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Smithsonian Institution developed the original 'Rock n Soul: Social Crossroads' exhibition. The museum is part of the Smithsonian Institution Affiliations Program, one of over 200 affiliates in 46 states.
• Priscilla PresleycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted the press conference announcing the building purchase and has been a staunch supporter of the project, meeting with Tennessee State Legislators to promote the initiative.
• Lansky FamilymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn the mid-1950s, Bernard Lansky operated Lansky Bros. Clothiers in the building, selling clothes to Elvis Presley, B.B. King, Johnny Cash, Isaac Hayes, Jerry Lee Lewis and others. The museum is preserving this historic legacy.
• Memphis GrizzliesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNBA team whose home is FedExForum, where the Memphis Rock n Soul Museum has been located for 20 years. John Pugliese of Memphis Grizzlies serves as Vice Chairperson of the museum's board.
• Levy RestaurantsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOfficial caterer for FedExForum and the Memphis Rock n Soul Museum, coordinating culinary menus for private events, receptions, and corporate functions.
• MIFA (Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDowntown Memphis interfaith association partnering with the 'Music Feeds the Soul' campaign to help the hungry and homeless in Memphis.
• Memphis Union MissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHomeless shelter partnering with the 'Music Feeds the Soul' campaign to provide meals and support for Memphis' hungry and homeless citizens.
• Withers CollectionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhotography gallery on Beale Street. Museum plans to collaborate with this and other cultural attractions for shared programming.
• W.C. Handy HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric music site on Beale Street. Museum plans to collaborate for educational and cultural attractions.
• Center for Southern FolkloreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural organization. Museum plans to partner for collaborative programming and authentic Memphis cultural presentation.
• Shelby County Mayor's OfficemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunched the '901 Student Passport' program in Summer 2020, providing free museum admission to Shelby County students through neighborhood YMCA locations.
• YMCA of Memphis and the Mid-SouthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the '901 Student Passport' program, distributing student passport cards through neighborhood YMCA locations.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP): Seattle-based music and pop culture museum founded as the Experience Music Project. Comparable as a music-themed museum with interactive audio/visual exhibits and broad pop-culture programming; competes in national music museum rankings and operates at a larger scale.
• Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum: Nashville-based genre-specific music museum and Hall of Fame. Larger, more established music heritage institution operating as a broad incumbent; comparable in mission (music hall of fame + museum) and visitor experience model but focused on country music rather than Memphis rock/soul.
• Musical Instrument Museum: Phoenix-based global music museum with large instrument collection. Comparable as a destination music museum with strong educational programming and ticketed admissions, though broader in geographic scope than Memphis-specific subject matter.
• Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: The most prominent U.S. rock music museum in Cleveland. National brand and broader scope make it a benchmark and competitor for museum rankings (USA Today Top 10 Music Museums); shares the music heritage museum + hall of fame model but at a much larger scale.

Direct peers

• Stax Museum of American Soul Music: Located on Beale Street-adjacent McLemore Avenue in Memphis, this is the most direct peer - another Memphis music heritage museum telling the story of soul/R&B, featured alongside Rock n Soul in the Backstage Pass bundle ticket. Operates as a competing music attraction with comparable visitor profile.
• Sun Studio: The 'Birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll' tour attraction in Memphis. Partner in the Backstage Pass bundle and shares Rock n Soul's focus on Memphis music origin stories, competing for the same tourist audience on a Beale Street-adjacent route.
• Graceland: The iconic Elvis Presley estate and museum in Memphis; partner in the Backstage Pass bundle and the dominant Memphis music tourism draw. Directly competes for tourist attention and group bookings in the Memphis music experience market.
• National Blues Museum: Blues heritage museum located in St. Louis, Missouri. Directly comparable Midwestern music heritage museum sharing genre overlap (blues → soul → rock), interpretive exhibit model, and educational programming focus.
• B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center: Mississippi Delta blues museum honoring B.B. King; directly comparable as a Smithsonian-affiliated, music-pioneer-focused museum with educational programming in the Mid-South region. Shares both subject-matter overlap and Smithsonian affiliation status.

Regional players

• Delta Music Museum: Ferriday, Louisiana-based museum honoring Louisiana/Mississippi Delta music legends. Comparably themed small museum in the broader Delta music corridor; serves an overlapping regional audience focused on roots music heritage.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/memphis-rock-n-soul-museum

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Memphis Rock n Soul Museum/Memphis Music Hall of Fame Museum