Bill Text: MS SC520 | 2026 | Regular Session | Enrolled

Mississippi Senate Concurrent Resolution 520

Bill Title: Designate official "Rockabilly Districts" in certain Northeast Mississippi communities.

Sponsorship: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 5-1)

Status: (Passed) 2026-03-19 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC520 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2026-SC520-Enrolled.html

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2026 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) McMahan, Sparks, Parks, Chism, Suber, Bryan

Senate Concurrent Resolution 520

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF "THE MISSISSIPPI HILLS ROCKABILLY MUSIC HISTORICAL TRAIL" AND DESIGNATING OFFICIAL "ROCKABILLY DISTRICTS" IN CERTAIN NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITIES.

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi is internationally recognized as the birthplace of America's most influential musical traditions, including blues, gospel, country, and rock and roll; and

WHEREAS, the Hills Region of Northeast Mississippi played a defining role in the emergence of rockabilly music, a uniquely American art form that blended country rhythms with rhythm‑and‑blues energy, shaping the sound that would launch the careers of countless artists and influence generations to come; and

WHEREAS, communities throughout the Mississippi Hills, including Tupelo, Saltillo, Baldwyn, Booneville, Corinth, New Albany, Pontotoc, Amory, Ripley, Guntown, and Mantachie, hold deep cultural, historical, and artistic ties to the origins and evolution of rockabilly music; and

WHEREAS, these communities, in partnership with the newly formed North Mississippi Rockabilly Foundation, seek to preserve, interpret, and promote this musical heritage through a coordinated regional initiative; and

WHEREAS, the creation of the Mississippi Hills Rockabilly Music Historical Trail will establish a unified network of historical markers, murals, interpretive exhibits, public art, and cultural programming that celebrates the artists, venues, stories, and traditions that shaped rockabilly music in the Hills Region; and

WHEREAS, the designation of official Rockabilly Districts within each of the aforementioned communities will support heritage tourism, stimulate economic development, encourage artistic expression, and strengthen regional identity; and

WHEREAS, this initiative aligns with the goals of America's 250th anniversary by honoring Mississippi's contributions to the nation's cultural legacy and by fostering public engagement with the arts and humanities:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That in order to demonstrate Mississippi's commitment to preserving and promoting its musical heritage, we do hereby recognize the establishment of "The Mississippi Hills Rockabilly Music Historical Trail" under the auspices of the Northeast Mississippi Rockabilly Heritage Foundation and designate official "Rockabilly Districts" in the communities of Tupelo, Saltillo, Baldwyn, Booneville, Corinth, New Albany, Pontotoc, Amory, Ripley, Guntown and Mantachie.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we do hereby encourage collaboration among local governments, cultural organizations, tourism partners and the Northeast Mississippi Rockabilly Heritage Foundation to advance this initiative and ensure its long-term success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Mississippi Division of Tourism, the Northeast Mississippi Rockabilly Heritage Foundation and each of the above listed communities and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.