• 43°
franklin county times

The Father of Country Music's
great-granddaughter attends festival

By Staff
WARMING UP THE NIGHT Grant's Ferry was the opening act for Confederate Railroad Saturday night during the Jimmie Rodgers Memorial Festival at Singing Brakeman Park. Members of the group are, from left, Wess Tabor, Jetson Neal, Christopher Sharp and Ed Dye. Photo by Paula Merritt / The Meridian Star
By Chris Allen Baker / staff writer
May 12, 2002
Dixie Haslett's visit to the Jimmie Rodgers Memorial Festival meant more to her than just listening to music and having fun.
For her, it was a chance to learn more about her great-grandfather the "Father of Country Music."
Haslett's grandmother, Anita Court Rodgers, was Jimmie Rodgers' daughter. Although Haslett is not a musician, she has always been aware of her heritage.
Haslett's first trip to the Jimmie Rodgers Festival was also her first trip to Mississippi. Haslett, her husband, Terry, and son, Tavey, also visited Anita's and Jimmie's gravesites.
Hundreds of people attended the three-day festival that ended Saturday night with performances by local Jimmie Rodgers' impersonator Britt Gully, the winners of two talent contests and bands Grant's Ferry and Confederate Railroad.
The week also included a gospel concert, a golf tournament, a youth talent contest and an adult talent contest. Friday night's concert featured Steve Forbert and the Mississippi All-Stars.
Todd Adkins, president of the Jimmie Rodgers Foundation, said this year's festival was a great success.
Future festivals could be patterned on this year, Adkins said.
Music fan Jayne McKinion of Meridian agreed.

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Mousey Brown

News

Russellville First Baptist Church receives historical marker

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Meeting a higher standard – Russellville High School JROTC

News

RCS BOE announces new superintendent  

News

Miss Dream Girl Pageant names winners

Franklin County

First Metro Bank hosts FAME Girls’ Ranch donation drive

News

PCHS holds annual Shelby Grissom Memorial Fashion Show

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: VFW Post 5184 – ‘No One Does More For Veterans’

Features

Supporting students’ futures

Features

Red Bay Garden Club discusses amaryllis planting

Franklin County

UA announces local students for fall 2023 President’s, Dean’s, graduation lists

News

School news

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Troy Oliver

Franklin County

Appropriations bill passes, allots more than $3 million for new Russellville library/multipurpose center 

Franklin County

Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association names Cattleman of the Year 

Franklin County

Franklin County votes: Unofficial March 5 primary election results 

Franklin County

Funding for new Russellville library, multipurpose community center expected this week

Features

Faces of Franklin County: BTCPA

News

GFWC Russellville Book Lovers Club sponsors downtown art crawl

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Cody Bragwell

Franklin County

42nd annual Miss RHS pageant names winners 

News

Miss RHS pageant takes place Friday

Franklin County

Political announcement: David Hester speaks about run for reelection as county commissioner

Franklin County

BTCPA auditions for final production of season take place March 3-4 

x