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American Soul
Explore the soul of American music on this immersive 11-day Southern USA music tour through the South’s legendary musical landscapes. For travelers comparing a Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans tour, this route adds Muscle Shoals to connect the story of jazz, blues, soul, rock and country across the region. Limited to just 8 participants, the journey moves through New Orleans, Memphis, Muscle Shoals and Nashville with a more personal, music-first perspective.
Starting in the vibrant French Quarter of New Orleans, you’ll dive into Creole cuisine, jazz performances at iconic venues like Preservation Hall, and lively streets brimming with history. In Memphis, feel the roots of rock ‘n’ roll and soul at landmarks like Graceland, Sun Studio, and the Stax Museum. Discover the powerful narratives of the Civil Rights Movement at the National Civil Rights Museum, and experience Beale Street’s electric energy.
The journey continues to Muscle Shoals, Alabama, where legends recorded timeless hits at FAME and Muscle Shoals Sound Studios. Finally, in Nashville, dive into the rich country music scene with exclusive tours at the Country Music Hall of Fame and RCA Studio B. Enjoy evenings at lively honky-tonks, live performances, and Southern dining.
Led by Chaz, a professional drummer deeply connected to Southern music, this tour is more than just a sightseeing trip—it’s an insider’s look into the sounds and stories that define American music. With all ground transportation, select meals, and key activities included, this tour provides a seamless and enriching experience for music lovers looking to connect deeply with the roots of the South’s musical heritage.
Sample Itinerary
Arrive and check in at your French Quarter hotel. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at a top Creole restaurant followed by an authentic jazz performance at Preservation Hall. End the night with an optional bar hop from Bourbon Street to Frenchmen Street, taking in the lively music scene.
Begin with a guided walking tour of the historic French Quarter, followed by a traditional drum circle experience at Congo Square. In the afternoon, enjoy free time to explore or relax. In the evening, you have the option to attend a live jazz performance at a notable venue.
Enjoy a flexible day to explore New Orleans at your own pace. Optional activities include a jazz brunch at The Court of Two Sisters or a scenic Mississippi Riverboat cruise with live jazz. In the evening, discover local dining and live music on your own.
Depart New Orleans in the morning, with a stop in Clarksdale, Mississippi, to visit the Delta Blues Museum and enjoy an optional brief performance or storytelling session by a local blues musician. Arrive in Memphis in the afternoon, check into your hotel, and enjoy a relaxing evening with dinner and exploration on your own.
Start the day with a tour of Elvis Presley’s iconic Graceland estate. In the afternoon, enjoy an included Memphis barbecue lunch. Spend the evening on a musical bar hop along Beale Street, immersing yourself in the city’s vibrant blues, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll scene, with dinner at your own pace.
Begin with a tour of Sun Studio, the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll. In the afternoon, explore the Stax Museum of American Soul Music and optional visit to the National Civil Rights Museum at the historic Lorraine Motel. Enjoy the evening at your own pace, with optional recommendations for the best local music spots.
Depart from Memphis in the morning and arrive in Muscle Shoals by afternoon. Visit the renowned FAME Recording Studios, where legends like Aretha Franklin recorded. Enjoy the evening with dinner at your leisure or explore live music options in nearby Florence.
Start with a tour of the famed Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, known for hosting artists like The Rolling Stones and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Enjoy an included lunch at a local favorite, then spend the evening relaxing or exploring the nearby town of Florence.
Depart early along the scenic Natchez Trace Parkway, stopping at overlooks and historical sites. Enjoy lunch in the charming village of Leiper’s Fork before arriving in Nashville in the afternoon. Spend the rest of the day and evening exploring Nashville’s vibrant neighborhoods, shops, and dining options at your own pace. Optional Grand Ole Opry add-on: contact us for details.
Begin with a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame, followed by a tour of the iconic RCA Studio B. After an included lunch at a Nashville favorite, enjoy free time to explore attractions like the Johnny Cash Museum, African American Music Museum, and many other recommendations and tours we can add on. In the evening, dive into Nashville’s nightlife with a musical bar hop along Broadway, experiencing live country and diverse music styles, with dinner at your leisure.
Spend a relaxed morning exploring or shopping if you have a later departure, with an optional visit to the National Museum of African American Music. In the afternoon, check out and bid farewell to new friends as you head home or to your next destination.
Small Group Tours Up to 8 People
April 1st-11th, 2027
Boutique Musician-Led Cultural Immersion
New Orleans, Memphis, Muscle Shoals & Nashville, USA
Your Host
Chaz Chambers
Led by Chaz Chambers, a seasoned drummer who toured with the Ringling Bros. Circus and grew up in the heart of the American South, this tour offers a unique, insider’s perspective. With his deep roots in Southern culture and music, Chaz will guide you through the rhythms, stories, and landmarks that define the region, providing rich insights into the South’s legendary musical heritage.
What’s included
Special access to unique experiences, such as a drum circle at Congo Square and curated musical bar hops in New Orleans, Memphis, and Nashville.
Daily breakfast, plus 4 curated meals highlighting iconic regional cuisines
All ground transportation, including private transfers between cities and comfortable travel along the Mississippi Delta and Natchez Trace Parkway.
Optional excursions and experiences available, including jazz brunches, riverboat cruises, and visits to additional music landmarks.
10 nights of lodging in carefully selected hotels
Personalized assistance with reservations and recommendations for leisure time, ensuring an enjoyable experience during free periods and optional meals.
Expert local guides, plus a dedicated Music and Culture Tour Leader providing insights into each city’s musical heritage.
What’s not Included
- Round-trip flights between your hometown and the tour arrival and departure cities.
- Comprehensive travel insurance is highly recommended.
- Any recommended or required vaccinations or travel-related medications are the responsibility of the traveler.
- Lunches and dinners not specifically listed.
- Activities not included in the official itinerary, as well as personal expenses.
- Tips for guides, drivers, hotel staff, and musicians.
- Alcohol is only included where mentioned.
- Extra stays before or after the tour are not included but can be arranged at an additional cost.
Dates And Pricing
April 1st-11th, 2027
New Orleans, Memphis, Muscle Shoals, Nashville
Price Per Person
Make Your Music Tour Private
Booking, Payment & Cancellation
- Deposit: $500 per traveler. Deposits are non-refundable, and a place is confirmed once payment clears.
- Final payment: The remaining balance is due 90 days before departure.
- Payment methods: ACH or wire transfer has no additional Musical Getaways processing fee. Credit and debit card payments include a 3.5% processing fee.
- Travel insurance: Comprehensive trip cancellation and interruption insurance is strongly recommended.
Read the full Terms, Conditions & Waiver. If Musical Getaways cancels a tour, deposits and payments are refunded in full under those terms.
Important Itinerary Notes & Travel Pace
Find answers to the most common questions about our tours. If you can’t find what you’re looking for here, please contact us.
Itinerary Structure & Flexibility
The itinerary shown above is a sample outline intended to demonstrate the overall flow, experiences, and inclusions of the tour. Specific days and the order of activities may vary depending on departure dates, recording studio availability, and local event schedules. The American South is a culturally vibrant region where live music set times and festival logistics can shift, requiring us to remain adaptable to ensure the most authentic experience.
We plan carefully and remain flexible, always prepared with multiple contingency options to ensure a meaningful musical and cultural experience. While minor adjustments may occur, the core components of the sample itinerary—including the exploration of New Orleans, Memphis, Muscle Shoals, and Nashville—reflect what we fully intend to deliver on each tour. Finally, date-specific itineraries are shared closer to departure.
Live Music Disclaimer
Because live performance is the heart of the Southern music experience, schedules at iconic venues like Preservation Hall or the honky-tonks of Broadway are sometimes fluid. Changes in set times, specific artist lineups, or designated music venues are part of the reality of a region where music happens spontaneously in every corner. When these shifts occur, we work closely with our local partners and musician hosts to provide equally compelling alternatives. We remain committed to navigating these changes to maintain the creative integrity and historical depth of the tour.
Travel Pace & Activity Level
This tour is moderately paced and involves significant travel between legendary musical hubs. Expect regular walking, including guided tours through the historic French Quarter and sprawling estates like Graceland that may cover several miles over the course of a day. Guests should also expect getting in and out of vehicles during regional transfers and navigating various environments, from urban music clubs to historic recording studios.
While this is not a high-intensity or athletic tour, it does require a comfortable level of mobility and the endurance typical of a multi-city regional journey. This includes the ability to remain active during both daytime historical visits and late-night musical bar hops, as well as managing the humidity and climate typical of the American South in spring.
Accessibility & Private Tours
If you have mobility considerations, accessibility needs, or prefer a slower or more customized pace, we strongly recommend inquiring about a private tour. Given that many historic Southern landmarks, older music venues, and rural studio sites include stairs, narrow passages, and limited elevator access, private tours allow us to tailor the itinerary, transportation, and activity level to best suit your needs while preserving the spirit of the experience.
Tour Gallery
Colorful NOLA
New Orleans, Louisiana
Beale St.
Memphis, Tennessee
Learn more about American Music
Beyond the Neon: 5 Secret Locations Where American Music History Was Actually Made
When you look past the tourist crowds on Bourbon Street or the glitz of Nashville’s Broadway, you find the actual workshops of American music.
Sounds of the South: A Musician’s Journey Through the Roots of American Music
Discover the sounds of the South and their connection to the cultural identity and music history of cities like New Orleans and Memphis.
New Orleans Is More Than Jazz: A Musician’s Guide to the Crescent City’s Sound
The world knows it as the birthplace of jazz, but to reduce the Crescent City to a single genre is to miss the complete story.
