Booker T. -- Naming the MGs

Booker T. talks about how the MGs were named:

This was the first single released by Booker T. and the MG's, whose name originally referred to the MG sports car, though it later came to stand for Memphis Group as well.

"The original meaning was a reference to the car, 'cause this guy Chips Moman, who was the engineer for Stax, was driving one: He always had it parked in front, he used to do wheelies in it, and stuff," says Jones. "But back then, we were looking for an endorsement, and they wouldn't even talk to us. So, I thought, 'MG's -- the Memphis Group.' So we named it the Memphis Group."

http://www.nj.com/entertainment/music/index.ssf/2009/04/after_a_lifetime_of_working_wi.html

Dr. House's Ring Tone

In this episode, Dr. House's cell phone rings, and lo and behold, his ring tone is Linda Lyndell's What A Man recorded at American Studios! Hugh Laurie, who plays Dr. House, is a musician -- and a very informed one at that!

But wait, there's more! Download your own "What A Man" ringtone here:

http://blog.georgiamusic.info/what_a_man.mp3

EDITOR'S NOTE: 6/10/09 -- It appears that a retraction is in order. Fellow blogger MizzGrizz has pointed out that there is no concrete proof that any of the Memphis Boys played on "What A Man." As I recall, Dave Crawford, the producer of this record, had often used different rhythm sections for his recordings (STAX, Muscle Shoals, Criteria Sound) and it is possible that he used musicians whose names we may never know. I had always thought it was the Memphis Boys because of the sound of the drums. I have asked Gene Chrisman whether he played on this and he didn't recall doing so. So I guess that's the end of the story. I am on a mission to find out who played on this recording. Stay tuned! - Allen