[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 11, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E20]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO GERALD ``BUD'' CHITTOM

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 11, 2023

  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the late 
Gerald ``Bud'' Chittom, a larger-than-life restaurateur, musician and 
promoter of Memphis' iconic blues throughfare--Beale Street--and my 
friend. Bud passed in 2018 after a career opening and managing dozens 
of Memphis area restaurants and night clubs. He was awarded a Beale 
Street Brass Note in 2011 with the inscription ``A Man You Don't Meet 
Everyday,'' putting him in the company of fellow Brass Note honorees, 
B.B. King, Isaac Hayes, Elvis Presley and Sain Phillips. Bud will be 
honored this week by the Downtown Memphis Commission with its Vision 
Award, which will be received by his daughter, Caitlin. It's well-
deserved. Bud was instrumental in the renewal of Beale Street, creating 
the Blues City Cafe at Second Street, founding Jerry Lee Lewis' Cafe 
and Honky Tonk at 310 Beale, and driving business to other venues on 
Beale and his restored Earnestine and Hazel's on South Main Street, now 
world-renown as the Nation's best dive bar. He didn't rest until the 
area's revival as a mecca for tourism and music lovers was assured. A 
bass player himself, he often sat in with bands playing venues up and 
down the street. After I successfully passed the Tennessee Education 
Lottery as a Tennessee state senator, Bud and Blues City Cafe co-owner, 
Wilbur Hensley sold me the first lottery ticket in Tennessee in 2004. 
The Vision Award recognizes Bud's contribution to our community, and I 
commend the Downtown Memphis Commission for saluting him, and 
congratulate his family and friends for making him a part of our lives.

                          ____________________