It was in 2009 that I first saw Mississippi’s welcome sign which stated a new, but tried-and-true state promotional strategy  — that of music.  

    I must say I was impressed.

    It was time Mississippi profited from the many talented musicians, vocalists and entertainers who had, for many years, opened their throats and hearts to the art of music.

Perhaps some of these creative performers never associated their musical talents as a worldwide phenomenon and that makes it all the sweeter. It was a pure lyric presented through raw emotion that commanded everyone’s attention.

    In 2009, when then-Governor Haley Barbour unveiled Mississippi’s new slogan, he said, “It has been known for many years that Mississippi’s musical heritage makes us the real ‘birthplace of America’s music’ – from the blues, to country, to rock ’n roll, to gospel,” Governor Barbour said.

    “These  new welcome signs and the slogan are really designed to recognize and honor all of the talented men and women whose incredible array of entertainment skills put Mississippi on the world’s music map.”

    Yes, Mississippi has country, like no other state, brought by Jimmie Rodgers, Father of Country Music and a Meridian native. Don’t forget the upcoming Jimmie Rodgers Festival beginning May 5. Also May 5-10 is Meridian Little Theatre’s stage production, “Jimmie Rodgers; America’s Blue Yodeler.”

    Mississippi put the star in the crown of rock’n roll through the vocal majesty of Elvis, a native of Tupelo. There is no other blues genre, both authentic and inspirational, than the Mississippi Delta Blues, with greats like Robert Johnson and B.B. King. Gospel music in Mississippi is right up there with all of the others, presenting great performances by the Mississippi Mass Choir, with such favorites as, “This Morning When I Rose” and who could forget Elvis and his “Peace in the Valley?”

    And of course, Meridian is fortunate to have a huge slice in the world of classical music, our Meridian Symphony Orchestra. www.meridianso.org  and don’t forget Highland Baptist Church’s, “Singing Christmas Tree.”

    Oh, if you really love gospel music, join Liberty Baptist Church, Highway 493, Kemper County, on April 17 at 5 p.m. for a performance by Simmons Ridge Church. This group of songbirds is gospel through-in-through. The concert is free and open to the public.

    But I wondered – the musical genres I have mentioned today, is there more?

    Strange as it may seem, our little city of Meridian, Mississippi, during the last century, has had a unique musical opportunity. It is the music of the gypsies. It was in 1915 when the Queen of the Gypsies of North America died and was interred in Rose Hill Cemetery; Meridianites were introduced to   culturally inspired and nomadic tunes, strummed by guitar, plus harmonica and tambourine.  The music was influenced with Indian roots, plus Persian, Turkish and even Jewish musical forms.

    One of the leaders of this musical tradition (Flamenco-Gypsy) is world-renown guitarist, Dr. Juan Serrano, born in Cordoba, Spain, in 1935 and studied flamenco guitar with his father. His connection with the Queen City began in the 1960s when he met well-known Meridianite, Dr. Kathy Baxter. Flamenco-Gypsy music in Meridian has come full circle; it would seem, through Dr. Serrano’s musical influence. He and Dr. Baxter have continued a mutual admiration for the arts and as well great supporters of a tradition of music that is, too, found in Mississippi, via Spain – could anything be better!

    In Meridian, Gypsy Queen Kelly Mitchell, and her tribes, from across the country brought traditional gypsy style music into the fold of Mississippi’s musical scene. Talented local musician, Ted Hennington continues to perform intricate and originally written gypsy-style songs, written with his wife, Gypsy Hennington, who promotes our Gypsy Queen, Kelly Mitchell, throughout her travels, along with the dancers, Queen City Gypsies.

    So could I have an “amen” when adding one more genre to Mississippi’s music? If you listen closely, one may hear the strums of a Romani guitar, the cords of a harmonica and the excitement of a tambourine as raven-haired dancers, dressed in long, flowing skirts of red and yellow, circle a fire and sway in time with the music.

      

    Anne McKee is a writer and storyteller. Visit her website: www.annemckee.net