2015 November 10, Tuesday, A Trip to Meridian, MS

I looked out the window the sun was coming up, it was a great day for traveling so I ask my husband if he was up for a four hour drive to Meridian MS he said yes. 
After I cooked oatmeal, eggs, and bacon for breakfast, I packed a overnight bag just incase we wanted to spend the night. 

Loaded into the van my Nikon Camera, my phone, luggage and all my travel information about Meridian MS.
We programed the GPS but did not want to go in the direction it was taking us.
We decided to drive to Russellville and then program the GPS for Meridian MS.

We took hwy 43 through Hackelburg, in Hamilton hwy 43 becomes hwy 17, through Detroit, Sulligent, in Vernon it becomes hwy 18 crossing into Mississippi on hwy 12 through Steens, to Columbus, MS

Sulligent, AL

In Columbus we stopped at Chick-fal-A for lunch. 
I ordered chicken nuggets, fries, tea and small ice cream. My husband ordered a chicken sandwich, fries, coke. 

Ice Cream, Chicken nuggets, Waffle fries 

In Columbus we took hwy 45 into Meridian, MS. 
A rough highway with noting to see except where log trucks had taken away all the timber that had been cut, left behind was stumps, brush, and spinel trees. 

Birthplace of
Jimmie Rodgers
Born Sept 8, 1897, at Meridian, MS
Known as the "Singing Brakeman," Rodger's recordings of
Southern blues and ballads greatly
contributed to the world~wide
popularity of a distinctly American musical form. 

Our first stop was the Jimmy Rodgers Museum/Birth home. 
We watch a ten minute film about the early life of Jimmy Rodgers.
Jimmy's  father worked for the railroad.
Jimmy's mother died at a early age of TB, as did Jimmie. 

Our curator gave us a history lesson on the Jimmy Rodgers guitar.
The guitar was opened for display behind a glass case, in a temperature controlled vault. 

The Original Jimmie Rodgers Guitar
Presented to Jimmie Rodgers in Washington DC by Mr C Fredrick Martin, President of The Martin Guitar Co July 27, 1928. This specially made guitar is also seen in the worlds famous "thumbs u" photographs
courtesy Anita Rodgers Court 

Hanging on the wall next to the curators counter was a quilt with history
191 Music Artist were sent three or four bow ties with the request for a signature.
This quilt was to be a tribute to Jimmy Rodgers legacy.
Each and every bow tie was returned with the signature of that artist.
Each bow tie, with its own unique color and signature was placed on a square block.
Ten blocks across and nineteen in length except for one block at the top giving information about the quilt. 
There were two quilts made this one and one given to Elvis Presley.

There were letters, photograph, suits, furniture, albums, and so much more information about the wonderful gifted Jimmy Rodgers.

Well dressed Jimmy Rodgers

We took pictures outside of the engine and caboose.

His is the music of America.
He sang the songs of the people he loved,
of a young nation growing strong.
His was an American of Glistening rails,
thundering boxcars and rain-swept nights,
of lonesome prairies, great mountains
and a high blue sky.
He sang of the bayous and the cotton fields,
the heated plains, of the little towns, the
cities, and the winding rivers of America.
We listened, we understood
JIMMIE RODGERS
The singing brakeman- America's Blue Yodeler
HIS MUSIC WILL LIVE FOREVER
dedicated by his many fans and
the Folk Artist of America
May 26, 1953

We rode to the historic downtown area of Meridian to the walk of honor to see 
Hartley Peavey, Mac McAnally, Moe Bandy, Walt Anderson and International Sweethearts of Rhythm Musician which were located in the Dumont Plaza Park across from the famous Riley center.

A performing arts center, a conference center, an educational center, a major downtown restoration project these are all accurate ways to describe the MSU Riley

Hartley Peavey

Mac McAnally

Moe Bandy

Walter Anderson

 International Sweethearts of Rhythm Musician

Distributed throughout the town of Meridian were Carousel Horses.

This Carousel Horse in next to the old Train Depot.

I took pictures of several Blues Markers, 
On 5th street and 22 avenue was " Country Music Comes of Age."
On 1901 Front Street was "Jimmie Rodgers & The Blues", & Moe Bandy."
Corner of 7th street and 23 avenue was Meridian Rhythm & blues and Soul Music."
At Oak Grove Cemetery was Jimmy Rodgers Father of Country Music.

Our last stop before getting onto I20 to head home was the Oak Grove Cemetery to see where they lay Jimmie after his death, which was nothing fancy, only a small stone rock.

"Jimmie"
James Charles Rodgers
Sept 8, 1897
May 26, 1933
American Blue Yodeler 

We stopped at Outback in Tuscaloosa, Alabama at 6:13 PM where I enjoyed a bowl of Taco Soup.

Taco Soup

My husband ordered a hamburger.
We were home by 9:30 both exhausted from the days travels.