MISSISSIPPI — Communities across the state will celebrate the third annual Mississippi Musicians Month this March with concerts, lectures, educational programs and special performances honoring the artists and traditions that helped shape American music.
The month long celebration highlights Mississippi’s influence on music genres ranging from Delta blues and gospel to jazz, country, rock, pop and classical music. Events will take place in communities across the state, recognizing musicians past and present and encouraging public participation through performances and cultural programming.
Mississippi Musicians Month was officially established in 2024 when Gov. Tate Reeves signed legislation designating March as the annual celebration. Organizers say the initiative was created to recognize Mississippi’s historic role in the global music landscape and encourage communities statewide to celebrate their local musical heritage.
Mississippi is often referred to as the “Birthplace of America’s Music,” producing influential artists whose work helped shape modern music. Early pioneers such as Charley Patton, Son House, Robert Johnson and Jimmie Rodgers helped define early blues and country traditions.
The state later produced internationally recognized performers including Elvis Presley, B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Jimmy Buffett, Faith Hill and opera star Leontyne Price. Mississippi’s impact also extends to songwriters such as Glen Ballard and Craig Wiseman, whose work has produced numerous chart-topping hits.
Organizers say the celebration is intended to include musicians and performances of all kinds, from singer-songwriters performing in coffee shops to blues festivals in the Delta and symphonic concerts.
“Great and timeless music is one of Mississippi’s chief exports,” officials with Opera Mississippi said. “By honoring the past while celebrating today’s artists and inspiring future generations, Mississippi Musicians Month affirms the state’s lasting role in shaping the soundtrack of American life.”
Founded in 1945, Opera Mississippi is the ninth oldest continuously operating opera company in the United States and the state’s only professional opera company.
