TheBirthplace of Country Musicannouncesannounces a historic event that will further connect two great music cities along Mississippi’s Country Music Trail as it honors two of Mississippi’s iconic figures in country music, Jimmie Rodgers and Marty Stuart. Earlier this month, BCM unveiled a historic marker commemorating the 1927 Bristol Sessions across from the Ellis Theater and Congress of Country Music in Philadelphia, Miss. The marker is a special gift honoring Philadelphia native and Grammy Award-winning country music artist Marty Stuart and Jimmie Rodgers, the “Father of country music,” who was born in Meridian, Miss. in 1897. The 1927 Bristol Sessions included the first recordings of Rodgers, the Carter Family, and others, and catapulted country music into the mainstream.
“It is with such pride that we honor the city of Philadelphia, Marty Stuart and Jimmie Rodgers at the beautifully restored Ellis Theater where Stuart, much like BCM, works to preserve the history and culture of country music for future generations,” said BCM Executive Director of Advancement Leah Ross. “Rodgers’ legacy has made a lasting impact on the music of today. Marty Stuart is a true ambassador of country music and has been a great friend and supporter of BCM for many years.”
In November of 2019 Stuart and representatives of Visit Mississippi came to Bristol to dedicate a marker recognizing Rodgers’ participation in the Bristol Sessions as part of the Mississippi Country Music Trail.
The Bristol Sessions Marker represents a symbol of gratitude and respect from BCM to two legendary artists who have made indelible contributions to country music. Stuart, a renowned singer, songwriter, and musician, has been a tireless advocate for preserving and promoting country music’s heritage. His dedication to the art form mirrors the commitment of Jimmie Rodgers, whose pioneering recordings in Bristol in 1927 laid the foundation for modern country Music.
For more information about The Ellis Theater and Marty Stuart’s Congress of Country Music, visitCongressOfCountryMusic.org.
For more information about the Mississippi Music Trail, visitmscountrymusictrail.org.
BCM, located in Bristol, Va.-Tenn., is the parent nonprofit of theBirthplace of Country Music Museum(an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution), the annualBristol Rhythm & Roots Reunionmusic festival, andWBCM Radio Bristol, which broadcasts daily from the museum. For more information, visitBirthplaceofCountryMusic.org.
