"100 Years of Blues" Kickoff Exhibit Featuring Never Seen Before Photographs by Dr. Ernest C. Withers

The Withers Collection Museum and Gallery proudly announces the opening of a landmark photographic exhibit on Saturday, June 7, 2025, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM, launching Memphis’ official 100 Years of Blues Celebration, in honor of BB King’s Centennial Year. This special evening marks the beginning of a powerful new display that will remain on view throughout the Celebration, offering an in-depth look at a seminal 20-year span of perhaps the most important genre of American music.

This eve of the opening celebration will feature a live performance by Bobby Porter, and complimentary hors d’oeuvres alongside the chance to explore the exhibit during this exclusive first look.

Curated from the extensive archive of iconic photojournalist Dr. Ernest C. Withers, the exhibit features both legendary figures—B.B. King, Howlin’ Wolf, Ray Charles—and underrecognized talents such as Evelyn “The Whip” Young and Big Maybelle. Withers, a trusted and embedded figure in the Memphis music scene, captured rare, behind-the-scenes moments with an artist’s eye and a community insider’s access.

In honor of this centennial milestone, the Withers Museum has been actively uncovering never seen before images from its archives. These newly revealed works will debut as part of the exhibit, offering a fresh and intimate look at the blues musicians who helped shape American music.