Sam Phillips launched his Memphis record company in February of 1952 naming it Sun Records as a sign of his perpetual optimism: a new day, and a new beginning. Phillips rented a small space at 706 Union Avenue for his own all-purpose studio. The label was launched amid a growing number of independent labels. In a short, while Sun gained a reputation throughout Memphis as a label that treated local artists with respect and honesty. Sam provided a non-critical, spontaneous environment that invited creativity and vision.

His promotional line was “We record anything, anywhere, anytime”… and so we explore the music that Sam Phillips shared with the world out of his Memphis recording studio. The sounds of blues, gospel, and rockabilly fused into a distinct sound and included the likes of Howlin’ Wolf, Carl Perkins, Rufus Thomas, Little Junior’s Blue Flames, as well as, you know, *that* guy…Elvis. Join Dave Stroud for two hours of ‘fun in the Sun’ … with the music and back stories on Deeper Roots: A Century of America’s Music.