And as the world remembers the Kolossal Kris Kristofferson today we take the opportunity to revisit where Y’all Country roads lead.
Tennessee and Mississippi, the centres of the music world, billing themselves as the birthplace of Country, as well as Blues and rock’n’roll.
You can follow in the footsteps of those titans of their genre, as we did, along the Mississippi Blues trail.
And converge at the crossroads where Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil in exchange for playing the guitar.
And pay pilgrimage at Sun Studio and Graceland to the King of Rock’n’roll in Memphis, Tennessee.
A night at the Opry
Y’all Country roads, we know, end up leading to The Grand Ole Opry which celebrates its 100th centenary next year.
The world’s longest-running radio programme will have more shows on their calendar than ever before in 2025.
All of which give visitors more opportunities to see a performance live and in person all year long.
And all year long too you can live Country music at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum in downtown Nashville.
The world’s largest music museum, it boasts more than 350,000sqft of galleries and displays.
The collection includes Carl Perkins’ blue suede shoes, Elvis’ Cadillac and gold piano and Hank Williams’ Western-cut suit with musical note appliqués.
The current exhibition is Luke Combs: The Man I am.
Get Carters
For those who wish to take the journey on at the Smithsonian The Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol, Tennessee.
And hear the story of the 1927 Bristol Sessions and the Carter family and Jimmie Rodgers shaped Country music.
Through multiple theatre experiences, interactive displays, texts and artifact.
Pathways to success
For a state with only 7 million natives, Tennessee sure punches above its musical weight.
And you can learn more if you take the Tennessee Music Pathways which tells the story of the state’s musical heritage and its influences around the world and its live music scene.
The lives and careers of Mississippi’s trailblazing country music artists, from the “Father of Country Music,” Jimmie Rodgers, to the “First Lady of Country Music,” Tammy Wynette, are immortalized on the state’s Country Music Trail.
Historic markers have been placed throughout Mississippi to mark important country music sites.
And commemorate Mississippians who have contributed to the music genre.
With, of course, Elvis’s birthplace Tupelo, Jimmie Rodgers’ grave in Meridian and Charley Pride’s hometown of Sledge.
New on the scene
And introducing Mississippi’s newest country music attraction Marty Stuart’s Congress of Country Music in Philadelphia, Mississippi.
The five-time Grammy winner is developing a 50,000sqft campus featuring a performing arts centre.
And, coming soon, a world-class country music museum stocked with items from his personal collection.
