Country music legend Marty Stuart unveiled the first marker, in honor of Jimmie Rodgers, for the Mississippi Country Music Trail in his home state on Tuesday, June 1, 2010. Stuart played an instrumental role in developing and campaigning for this program to pay tribute to Mississippi’s stronghold on country music’s history.

“It was a very special day for me to be able to present the first plaque for the Country Music Trail in Mississippi,” says Stuart. “What makes it even more special is that this marker honors the father of country music, Jimmie Rodgers, who is a hero and true inspiration to me. He laid the blueprint for what country music is all about and I’m proud to represent our state and help acknowledge its place in country music history.”

The next marker on the trail will honor Stuart, in his hometown of Philadelphia, Mississippi. Other trail markers will feature Charley Pride, Conway Twitty, Jerry Clower, Faith Hill and Paul Overstreet, among others.

Continuing his crusade to pay tribute to Mississippi’s rich American musical heritage, Stuart will bring his acclaimed traveling personal memorabilia collection, Sparkle & Twang: Marty Stuart’s Musical Odyssey, to Meridian, Mississippi beginning July 10, 2010 and is also set to perform with Merle Haggard at the MSU Riley center on July 25, 2010.