Viewers in the Mid-South region will be able to ring in the New Year from one of the most famous musical streets in the world, Beale Street in Memphis — home of the blues and the birthplace of rock & roll.

LIVE! Beale Street on New Year’s Eve, produced by WKNO, will be presented live on public television stations throughout Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas and throughout the country. The live broadcast will be hosted by filmmaker Willy Bearden and local radio personality Tom Prestigiacomo and will provide a unique look at the rich history of Beale Street with live interviews and lots of great music to welcome 2012. Viewers will be treated to live reports from the street, a survey of the acts currently performing on Beale and an introduction to the Legends of Beale.

The broadcast includes a traditional countdown to midnight with fireworks and the dropping of the Giant Guitar. Revelers will also be invited to “come bury your blues” by dropping mementos and notes into a symbolic coffin. WKNO’s own Jim Eikner will write and read the eulogy for the blues. (Viewers at home will be able to bury their blues by emailing buryyourblues@bealestreet.com). The celebration continues after midnight.

Go to Beale Street on New Year’s Eve Facebook page and click on "like" and then post comments and questions during the broadcast. Some of the viewers comments will be read on the air.

LIVE! Beale Street on New Year’s Eve is sponsored by Performa Entertainment,BSDC, Budweiser, Beale Street Merchants Association and The City of Memphis.