Jimmie Rodgers Festival kicks off next week in Lauderdale County

Lauderdale County officials are looking forward to welcoming more visitors to the community next week as the 73rd Annual Jimmie Rodgers Festival kicks off May 7-9 in Meridian.

Claiming the title as the longest running music festival in the nation, the yearly event draws thousands to see up-and-coming musical talent and established artists alike pay tribute to Meridian’s “Father of Country Music.”

Born in Meridian in 1879, Jimmie Rodgers worked as a brakeman on the New Orleans and Northeastern Railroad, which led to his moniker as “The Singing Brakeman.” While his music career was relatively short, lasting from around 1927 to his death in 1933, his impact on the music scene has lasted far longer.

In addition to being considered the “Father of Country Music,” Rodgers has been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Blues Hall of Fame, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Alabama Music Hall of Fame and Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame. His influence has also been cited by artists in americana, folk, bluegrass, blues and more.

Visit Meridian Executive Director Laura Carmichael said the Jimmie Rodgers Festival is one of the Queen City’s largest events, and the lineup of artists performing this year looks especially strong.

“Meridian is proud to have that and proud to be the home of Jimmie Rodgers,” she said.

The Jimmie Rodgers Festival kicks off Thursday, May 7, at The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience with performances by The Grascals, Southern Legacy and Becky Buller and Ned Luberecki. It will be followed Friday, May 8, by a performance from Jamestown Revival at the MSU Riley Center.

This year’s festival will culminate with Saturday’s celebration headlined by the Marcus King Band and featuring Brent Cobb, Maggie Antone and Lach Thornton at Meridian City Hall Lawn.

Carmichael said an influx of visitors is expected for the festival and especially Friday and Saturday nights as visitors make a two-day vacation of the event. Area hotels are already reporting increased bookings ahead of the festival.

The festival follows a busy spring for Lauderdale County. The Wings Over Meridian Air Show, Mahjong tournament, Threefoot Festival, Fam Jam, Sipp & Savor and other events have brought visitors near and far to the region. Carmichael said the past few months have been busy, but the increased visitor traffic that comes for the events has a positive impact on the community. Visitors stay in local hotels, eat at local restaurants and shop in local stores.

Visit Meridian is raffling off two VIP tickets to Saturday’s concert with details on the organization’s Facebook page. For more information about this year’s festival or to purchase tickets, visit jimmierodgers.com.

“It’s going to be another great weekend in Meridian,” Carmichael said.