Jimmie Rodgers Foundation announces lineup for 73rd annual festival

Published 8:57 am Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Jimmie Rodgers Foundation board members Gabby Ortiz, left, and Matt Schanrock unveil the poster for the 73rd annual Jimmie Rodgers Festival at Threefoot Brewing on Thursday. Photo by Thomas Howard

Thousands of music lovers will descend on Meridian this spring as the annual Jimmie Rodgers Festival returns for its 73rd year May 7-9. Recognized as the longest running music festival in the country, the festival has been celebrating the legacy of the Father of Country Music since 1953.

Jimmie Rodgers Foundation Executive Director Alana Broughton said this year’s festival will kick off Thursday, May 7, with a free bluegrass concert at The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience. Sponsored by Bluegrass Standard and Turnberry Records, the lineup includes favorites such as Becky Buller and Ned Luberecki, Southern Legacy and The Grascals as the headline for the night.

“They’re awesome,” Broughton said. “We’re talking top of the scale from the bluegrass world.”

On Friday, the MSU Riley Center will host Jamestown Revival, a folk music duo from Magnolia, Texas.

“If you don’t know who they are yet, I’ll admit I get stuck on the Allman Brothers. I don’t always listen to new music, and I’ve started listening to them, and I’m in love,” Broughton said.

Broughton said the Riley Center stepped up this year and is hosting and producing Friday’s programming on its own. More information and tickets can be found at rileycenter.com.

After two days of anticipation, this year’s Jimmie Rodgers Festival will reach a crescendo Saturday with an outdoor festival on City Hall lawn. Broughton said the event had to be moved to the outdoor event space after last year’s crowd grew too large for an indoor venue.

Saturday’s festivities will kick off with the final round of the Jimmie Rodgers Talent Competition, with the winner performing as the opening act for the evening concert. Also playing Saturday will be Meridian’s Lach Thornton, Maggie Antone and Brent Cobb.

Headlining Saturday’s festival will be the Marcus King Band. King previously performed at the Jimmie Rodgers Festival in 2014, Broughton said, and has gone on to find success as an artist.

“If you take a look at the tour schedules tied to this lineup, and one thing becomes clear quickly: these artists are having a big year,” said Broughton. “Brent Cobb is set to perform at Madison Square Garden, in August. Maggie Antone drew national praise for her song “Rhinestoned” that she debuted with on the Grand Ole Opry stage as well as her viral single with Tyler Childers “Johnny Moonshine”. This spring, Meridian’s own Lach Thornton will be releasing a new single from his new album that he has been working on, in Nashville, in country music hall of famer- Cowboy Jack’s studio.”

Proceeds from the Jimmie Rodgers Festival go to support the Jimmie Rodgers Foundation, museum and educational programs. For more information about the foundation, festival or how to purchase tickets, visit jimmierodgers.com.