69th Annual
Jimmie Rodgers Music Festival
MAY 7-15, 2022
America's Longest-Running Music Festival
The Jimmie Rodgers Foundation is proud to announce the lineup for our 69th Annual Music Festival. Much like Rodgers who influenced all genres of American music, the lineup will include artists performing blues, rock & roll, country and gospel music. The 2022 lineup will take place over nine days in May, with events spanning Meridian's historic, diverse performance venues.
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TICKETS
2022 LINEUP
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SATURDAY MAY 7
Meridian City Hall Lawn, 11AM - 3PM
Think you got what it takes to make it on stage before a live audience? If you do, we're looking for you! 97OKK presents the Annual Jimmie Rodgers Singer/Songwriter Competition, which will take place during the Bud N’ Boilin’ Crawfish Cookoff!
PRIZES INCLUDE:
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$1000 Adult Division from 97OKK
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$500 Youth Division from 97OKK
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Recording Studio Time from Blue Sky Studios in Jackson
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Guitar from DC Guitar Studio
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Professional Headshots by Revere Photography
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Open for the Eli Young Band on Saturday, May 14th, during the Jimmie Rodgers Festival
SATURDAY MAY 7
Meridian City Hall Lawn, 11AM - 3PM
We’re kicking off America’s longest-running music festival with a finger-lickin’ good time! Local teams will be boiling up fresh Louisiana crawfish – come sample crawfish from all 25 teams until it’s all gone, enjoy live music and refreshments, and vote for your favorite boil!
SATURDAY MAY 7 & SUNDAY MAY 8
Meridian Community College, 7PM (Sat) & 2PM (Sun)
JIMMIE RODGERS: AMERICA’S BLUE YODELER, a play by Douglas Pote, tells the inspirational rags-to riches-to rags story of a young railroad worker from Meridian, Mississippi. Jimmie Rodgers, like Elvis Presley thirty years later, took elements of traditional black and white musical styles and forged them into a unique sound that was instantly popular and widely imitated. As such, every subsequent country music star who ever wore a cowboy hat (which is almost all of them) owes a debt of gratitude to Jimmie Rodgers.
MONDAY MAY 9
Dumont Plaza, 6-9PM
In the spirit of Jimmie Rodgers, we invite local musicians to join us for a jam session remembering longtime Jimmie Rodgers enthusiast and volunteer Rick Courtney. Hosted by Multi-Grammy nominated and world-renowned Mississippi blues legend Vasti Jackson and DC Guitar Studio owner and guitarist, Dan Confait; this open session is for all musicians and will offer artistry, refreshments, and fun!
This event will be a scheduled jam session where musicians will be required to register for free by May 4, 2022 to ensure a designated slot. It is open to any and all musicians (including vocalists, guitarists, bassists, drummers, full bands, etc) and free to the public to attend.
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*House band will be provided along with vocal mics, instrument amps, and drums. Anything other than those we ask you please bring your own instrument. Registered musicians will be contacted ahead of the session for their assigned time slot.
TUESDAY MAY 10
Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience (The MAX), 6PM
Join us for a music history symposium focused on the life and legacy of the father of country music. Presentations include Who Wrote What?: Borrowed Lyrics in Early Country and Blues Recordings by Ben Wynne and Blues, Country, and the Murkiness of Genre Labels by Greg Johnson.
Enjoy a live performance by Britt Gully, a Mississippi musician who has portrayed Jimmie Rodgers from New Orleans to New York and points in between to rave reviews. Britts’ musical talent is enhanced through his masterful storytelling, as he shares with his audience a wealth of facts, anecdotes and just plain good stories.
FREE ADMISSION
WEDNESDAY MAY 11
The Temple Theater, 7PM
Once a little-known pastor of Meridian’s Cornerstone Church with vocal pipes, Todd Tilghman is now a nationally recognized musician as the winner of NBC’s "The Voice" Season 18. Tilghman brings his live stage show to the historic Temple Theater, performing soft rock, country, soulful gospel, and your favorite songs from his time on "The Voice!"
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We are mighty proud that Todd represents a long legacy of talented performers from Meridian, starting with Jimmie Rodgers! *LIMITED SEATING AVAILABLE*
THURSDAY MAY 12
The Temple Theater, 7PM
The evening starts with opening performances by Lach Thornton, Hannah Whatley, and Emily White. Next, don’t miss Randy Houser and his full band performing #1 hits such as “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight” and “Goodnight Kiss” right here at the Temple Theater!
With an inimitable voice the New York Times describes as “wholly different, thicker and more throbbing, a caldron bubbling over,” Randy Houser has racked up three consecutive No. 1 hits with his Stoney Creek Records album, How Country Feels. It’s sure to be one hell of a show! *LIMITED SEATING AVAILABLE*
FRIDAY MAY 13
Meridian City Hall Lawn, 5:30PM
The party starts with a beer wagon parade through Downtown Meridian — the Clydesdales are coming! Enjoy a musical performance by Tristan Tritt. The son of country music legend Travis Tritt and the brother of country artist Tyler Reese Tritt, Tristan Tritt brings a heavier, rock driven performance compared to his family’s Outlaw Country music roots.
Next, Virginia natives Crawford & Power perform their unique sound with roots in country, Americana, and southern rock. Finally, headliner Frank Foster brings his “Rowdy Reputation” to City Hall Lawn! This rural Louisiana native and former oilfield man has taken his songs from the campfire to the coliseum.
SATURDAY MAY 14
Meridian City Hall Lawn, 5PM
Enjoy performances from the winners of The Radio People Talent Competition, followed by world-renowned guitarist & vocalist, Cultural Ambassador, 2012 Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame inductee, and 2015 Albert King Lifetime Guitar Award recipient Vasti Jackson!
Next, Parish County Line brings 90’s country music back to the South, followed by Meridian’s favorite trio Chapel Hart! Named as CMT's Next Women of Country Class of '22, the trio is known for hit songs including "You can have him Jolene" and "Jesus and Alcohol!"
Finally, multi-platinum hitmakers Eli Young Band come to Meridian following their fourth career #1. This true band of brothers who cling fast to their Texas roots have maintained an impressive trajectory with singles earning ​Billboard​'s #1 ​Country Song of the Year​ and ACM Awards ​Song of the Year​.
SUNDAY MAY 15
Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience (The MAX), 1-3PM
Close out the week with a big, boozy New Orleans-style brunch! Enjoy the soulful vocals of Joyful and the Spirit of New Orleans Gospel Choir, featuring members of world class gospel groups. This Cathead-sponsored event includes a catered brunch, mimosa bar, and a true NOLA party! *LIMITED SEATING AVAILABLE*
FESTIVAL FAQ
You can bring your lawn chair. There will be a sectioned off area for lawn chairs only, you must keep your chair in this area.
No coolers or outside food and beverages will be allowed inside the gates.
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IDs will be checked for 21 and up inside the gates and a wristband will be given to you.
Red sponsor bands grant access to Bud n' Boilin, Jimmie’s Jam, Music History Seminar, and all events Friday 5/13-15.
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Blue VIP bands grant access to all shows except The Blue Yodeler at MCC.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2022 FESTIVAL SPONSORS
TITLE SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSORS
BRONZE SPONSORS
Kelly and Scott McQuaig
Lou & Clayton Cobler
