New Marker on Mississippi Country Music Trail Unveiled at Grammy Museum Mississippi

CLEVELAND, Miss. – Officials and residents gathered on Tuesday, July 16, at 5 p.m. at Grammy Museum Mississippi to unveil a new marker on the Mississippi Country Music Trail. The marker will honor some of the state’s greatest country music artists, including Tammy Wynette, Marty Stuart, Faith Hill, Charley Pride, Bobby Gentry, LeAnn Rimes, Carl Jackson, and Paul Overstreet.

“We are honored to receive this marker on the historic Mississippi Country Music Trail,” said Grammy Museum Mississippi Executive Director Emily Havens. “Mississippi has made incredible contributions to country music, many of which have been celebrated by the Grammy Awards and continue to be honored at our museum.”

Since the inception of the Grammys in 1958, country music artists from Mississippi have received 3,637 nominations and 775 wins. Mississippi has more Grammy wins per capita than any other state in the U.S.

Currently, the Mississippi Country Music Trail has 38 markers across the state and one in Tennessee. The new marker at Grammy Museum Mississippi will be Cleveland’s first.

Giants of country music—its Father, First Lady, High Priest and even its “Hillbilly Cat”—were born here in Mississippi. The state has produced several influential country artists. Artists such as Charley Pride, who broke barriers as the most successful African American artist in country music. As well as Faith Hill, who crossed over to pop stardom, expanding the genre’s fan base. Beyond these stars, many other Mississippians have left lasting impacts on country music, challenging stereotypes and broadening its appeal. The Country Music Trail commemorates their many varied contributions and influences as well as the places that cradled their creativity.

This article first appeared on Supertalk.fm and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.