SATURDAY, APRIL 3

LOCATION: TBD

What do Elvis Presley, Faith Hill, Randy Houser, Paul Overstreet, and Hayley Williams have in common? The Jimmie Rodgers Singing Competition! The Radio People is bringing this iconic event back and we want you to be a part of it! Tune in to 97OKK, Q101, KISS 104.1, 95.1 The Beat, and Praise 95.9 FM/910 to learn how you, or that talented singer/songwriter you know, can get involved in this historic competition. We are thrilled to kick off the Jimmie Rodgers Music Festival with the new voices of Meridian!

TODD

TILGHMAN

THURSDAY, APRIL 8

LOCATION: TEMPLE THEATER

Once a little-known pastor of Meridian’s Cornerstone Church with vocal pipes, Todd Tilghman is now a nationally recognized musician as the winner of NBC’s The Voice Season 18. Tilghman brings his live stage show to the historic Temple Theater, performing soft rock, country, soulful gospel, and your favorite songs from his time on The Voice!

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We are mighty proud that Todd represents a long  legacy of  talented performers from Meridian, Mississippi, starting with Jimmie Rodgers!

MERIDIAN SYMPHONY

ORCHESTRA

FRIDAY, APRIL 9

LOCATION: MSU RILEY CENTER FOR EDUCATION AND PERFORMING ARTS

The Jimmie Rodgers Music Festival is happy to partner with the Meridian Symphony Orchestra this year for their annual Symphony Doo Dah concert! Bring the entire family to enjoy this magical, musical experience for the entire family in length and content!

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This concert is  concert followed by a Character Parade from the MSU Riley Center to The MAX, ending with a party packed with hands-on musical education activities, crafts, snacks, a meet & greet with your favorite storybook characters, and even more music. 

THE ROYAL

HORSES

SATURDAY, APRIL 10

LOCATION: THE MAX - MISSISSIPPI ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE

Forged deep in the Piney Woods of South Mississippi, Royal Horses embodies the very best of what the region has to offer. The trio pays respect to the musical genres that helped shape the New South, including 70's rock, early blues, rockabilly, and folk. Royal Horses has managed to create a name for themselves – one high-energy performance at a time.

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Enjoy a gritty, powerfully-unique sound built on the strength of Shelby Kemp's incredible vocals, Kenny Paul Mann's driving bass lines, and Daniel Firth's rock-steady rhythm.

ROBERT 

KIMBROUGH SR.

SATURDAY, APRIL 10

LOCATION: THE MAX - MISSISSIPPI ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE

Robert Kimbrough Sr. continues the Cotton Patch Soul Blues style created by his father, the legendary Junior Kimbrough, in North Mississippi.

The Cotton Patch Soul Blues style that Robert plays is a link to the music that his father originated, a deep soul sound that can be traced to his ancestors coming from the cotton fields, singing and ‘hollering‘ as they worked in the tall rows of MS cotton. This distinct and underground style of blues is rooted in hypnotic, rhythms and dance-able grooves. 

CHAPEL

HART

SATURDAY, APRIL 10

LOCATION: THE MAX - MISSISSIPPI ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE

Chapel Hart has an amazing ability to tug on your heartstrings with a tender yet powerful ballad, then have you pumping your fist in unison to the pulse of hard-hitting rock and roll.

The band accentuates the three vocalists, who embody the sweet and southern sound of country with the soulful undertones noting their gospel roots. Chapel Hart has entertained people from all over the world as they visit The Big Easy and they all say there is nothing quite like the Chapel Hart experience.

BRANDON "TAZ"

NIEDERAUER

SATURDAY, APRIL 10

LOCATION: THE MAX - MISSISSIPPI ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE

A young guitar sensation blending the influences of his many musical mentors, Taz's unique sound is popping into a contemporary space that the world has yet to hear. 

Seventeen-year-old Brandon Niederauer, nicknamed “Taz” for his ferocious guitar playing, is living proof that dreams really do come true. Having performed in some of the most legendary venues in America with many of the most prominent musicians of our time, the young guitarist, singer, and songwriter has already earned himself quite the reputation.

JJ GREY

AND MOFRO

SATURDAY, APRIL 10

LOCATION: THE MAX - MISSISSIPPI ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE

From the days of playing greasy local juke joints to headlining major festivals, JJ Grey remains an unfettered, blissful performer, singing with a blue-collared spirit over the bone-deep grooves of his compositions.

His presence before an audience is something startling and immediate, at times a funk rave-up, other times a sort of mass-absolution for the mortal weaknesses that make him and his audience human. When you see JJ Grey and his band Mofro live — the man is fearless.

CHICK

COREA

SATURDAY, APRIL 10

LOCATION: MSU RILEY CENTER FOR EDUCATION & PERFORMING ARTS

23-time Grammy winner and keyboard virtuoso Chick Corea has attained living legend status after five decades of unparalleled creativity and a staggering artistic output. Chick is the fourth-most-nominated artist in the history of the Grammys, with 65 nominations. 

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From straight ahead to avant-garde, bebop to fusion, children's songs to chamber music, along with some forays into symphonic works, Chick has touched an astonishing number of musical bases in his illustrious career while maintaining an inspiring standard of excellence. 

JAMAL

ROBERTS

SUNDAY, APRIL 11

LOCATION: TEMPLE THEATER

Jamal Roberts is an award winning millennial gospel artist who, at such a young age, has appeared on many radio channels and gospel stages alongside gospel's elite, including Grammy Award-winning Kirk Franklin.

Roberts is best known for representing Meridian, Mississippi, as a Season 10 Finalist on BET's Sunday Best. He brings soul, energy, and heart to the historic Temple Theatre stage as the closing act of the 68th Annual Jimmie Rodgers Music Festival.