Sunbeam Mitchell facts for kids

Andrew "Sunbeam" Mitchell (1906-1989) was an important businessman from Memphis, Tennessee. He owned many places like hotels and nightclubs. These spots were part of the "Chitlin' Circuit", which was a network of venues where African American musicians could perform during a time of segregation. Sunbeam Mitchell ran his clubs for 40 years. He sold them in the 1980s.

In the 1940s, after World War II, Memphis became a popular place for blues music. Many African American musicians came to Memphis to perform and record. During segregation, it was hard for Black artists to find places to play or even hotels to stay. In 1944, Sunbeam Mitchell opened the Mitchell Hotel. It welcomed famous musicians. Soon after, he started opening nightclubs too.

Who Was Sunbeam Mitchell?

Andrew Mitchell was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on November 6, 1906. He grew up near Beale Street, a famous music area. His father worked as a drayman, someone who delivered goods. During World War II, Mitchell worked in a factory in Detroit.

In 1944, Mitchell and his wife, Ernestine, rented two floors above a drug store on Beale Street. There, he opened the Mitchell Hotel. Soon after, he started his first nightclub, the Domino Lounge.

A writer named Preston Lauterbach said that Sunbeam Mitchell helped create the "Memphis sound." Besides his hotels and clubs, Mitchell also ran Mitchell Amusement Enterprises in the 1950s. He helped book shows for musicians like Little Milton and Lowell Fulson. He even started his own record label called Paradise Records. Mitchell also put on dances at places like Ellis Auditorium. Famous artists like Ray Charles performed at these events.

Mitchell kept running his clubs and businesses for 40 years. He passed away in August 1989.

The Mitchell Hotel: A Home for Musicians

Many musicians who played at Mitchell's nightclubs were not allowed to stay in hotels that were only for white people. So, the Mitchell Hotel opened in 1944. It was known as "Memphis' Leading Color Hotel." His wife, Ernestine, managed the hotel. It had 30 rooms and modern bathrooms.

The Mitchell Hotel became a popular spot for famous musicians on the Chitlin' Circuit. Stars like Nat "King" Cole, Count Bassie, Muddy Waters, and B.B. King stayed there.

Sunbeam and Ernestine Mitchell were known for being very kind. They often helped musicians who were struggling. They gave them food and a place to stay. In an interview, Mitchell said, "All of them knew they could come to Memphis and be taken care of." Little Richard stayed at the hotel for weeks when he had no money. B.B. King once said, "Anytime you didn't have any money, or anything, you could always go get a room and a bowl of chili."

Singer Johnny Ace often stayed at the hotel. When he died in 1954, the Mitchells were left with his belongings.

Club Handy: A Famous Nightclub

In 1945, Mitchell opened the Domino Lounge. It was at 195 Hernando Street. After a few years, he changed its name to Club Handy. The club was named after W. C. Handy, who is called "the father of the blues." It was on the second floor of his hotel.

At Club Handy, Mitchell hired dancing girls called the Mitchellettes. He also had a house band led by Bill Harvey. Many famous musicians played there regularly. These included Little Junior Parker, Bobby Bland, and B.B. King.

Even Elvis Presley visited Club Handy. He saw Lowell Fulson perform there in 1954. Other acts like the Five Royales and Ike & Tina Turner Revue also performed at the club. Photographer Ernest Withers took many famous pictures of Memphis nightlife at Club Handy.

Club Ebony: Another Hot Spot

Club Handy was once a roller skating rink called The Hippodrome. In 1955, Mitchell bought this place. He renamed it Club Ebony. It was an R&B club located at 500 Beale Street. Later, another person owned the club and changed its name back to The Hippodrome.

Club Paradise: Memphis's Largest Nightclub

Mitchell ran Club Paradise from 1962 until 1985. It was the biggest nightclub in Memphis. The club could hold 3,200 people. It was located at 645 E. Georgia Avenue. Bobby "Blue" Bland performed on its opening night in 1965.

In the 1960s and 1970s, many soul and funk musicians played at Club Paradise. These included Funkadelic, Sam & Dave, O.V. Wright, Ike & Tina Turner, and the Delfonics. Mitchell also rented the club out for parties and events.

In 2016, Club Paradise reopened as a community center. It is now called the Paradise Entertainment Center.