Downtown Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

James A. Hyter, “Ol’ Man River”

James A. Hyter Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, February 18, 2022

1. James A. Hyter Marker

Inscription. Born in Athens, Alabama, on February 2, 1922, James Alfred Hyter moved to Memphis with his family when he was one week old. From 1978 to 1998, he sang "Ol' Man River" in his deep resonant voice at the annual Memphis-in-May Sunset Symphony. He was accompanied by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, conducted first by Vincent de Frank and from 1984 by Alan Balter At this picturesque site on the mighty Mississippi, tens of thousands of fans clamored for encore after encore. However, Hyter's contribution to Memphis was much more than a song, because his stirring performances brought diverse people together in common celebration of life on the Mississippi River.

Erected by Shelby County Historical Commission and friends of J.A. Hyter.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music.

Location. 35° 8.383′ N, 90° 3.625′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is in Downtown Memphis. It is on Riverside Drive, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 251 Riverside

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Dr, Memphis TN 38103, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Tennessee.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in the Upper South,

in the Mississippi Delta,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: They Passed This Way (here, next to this marker); John James Audubon (here, next to this marker); Alexis De Tocqueville (here, next to this marker); The John Alexander Austin House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Tom Lee Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Gayoso Hotel (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Grand Opera House / The New Orpheum Theatre (approx. 0.3 miles away); Spain (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.

More about this marker. Located along a trail at north end of Tom Lee Park,

James A. Hyter, “Ol’ Man River” Marker (marker is second from right) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 6, 2022

2. James A. Hyter, “Ol’ Man River” Marker (marker is second from right)

near the Mississippi Riverfront.

Also see . . . Tennessee Encyclopedia article on James Hyter (prior to his death in 2009). (Submitted on March 7, 2022.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 7, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,092 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 7, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. 2. submitted on April 5, 2025, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.