Mississippi’s rich cultural heritage is something to behold.
I can’t give you exact figures, but the number of writers, musicians, actors, artists and chefs that hail from our home state is grand by any measure.
Is it something in the air, water, or soil here?
I don’t know the answer, but the Mississippi roots of those in creative and artistic fields have spread far and wide in our country.
Let’s take American music for example.
The Mississippi Delta is widely known as the birthplace of the blues. B.B. King, Muddy Waters, and Robert Johnson are just three blues icons out of more than a dozen from Mississippi who birthed the blues as an art form.
Ike Turner, from Clarksdale, is credited with co-writing and recording the first rock and roll song, “Rocket 88,” in 1951 with his band, The Kings of Rhythm.
“The King of Rock and Roll,” Elvis Presley, was born in Tupelo, the hometown where he bought his first guitar and fell in love with gospel music in the community’s churches. Jimmie Rodgers, a native of Meridian and known for his distinctive yodeling, is widely considered “The Father of Country Music.” And that’s just American music!
Don’t get me started on the writers.
Speaking of Meridian, we spent some time for this month’s issue at the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience — The MAX for short — because it’s the only place in our state that celebrates all our creative and artistic superstars.
If you’ve never been, you will want to visit after reading our cover story.
Although The MAX is a clear salute to the legacies of the state’s best and brightest, their mission is solidly forward thinking.
Penny Kemp, The MAX’s president and CEO, told us through the facility’s interactive exhibits, workshops, and live performances, the goal is to engage young people in lifelong learning and creativity.
With The MAX, Meridian has solidified its reputation as one of the state’s most happening entertainment hubs. A destination for a day or weekend visit seems almost essential.
We hope you enjoy this issue.
