Steve Forbert, the Meridian native known for his unique brand of folk-rock music, is making a long overdue return to the Queen City to perform during the 2019 Jimmie Rodgers Music Festival in May.
Forbert, known for his albums “Alive on Arrival” (1978), 1979’s Jackrabbit Slim (which featured the hit “Romeo’s Tune”) and 1980’s “Little Stevie Orbit” is scheduled to close the festival with a show on May 4 at the Temple Theatre for the Performing Arts.
In addition to Forbert’s Grammy nominated tribute album to Rodgers, he will also perform releases from his new album “The Magic Tree.”
Opening for Forbert will be Nashville singer-songwriter Paul Burch, who played last year’s festival.
Earlier in the week, the festival opens on May 2 with a concert by St. Paul and the Broken Bones at the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience on Front Street. Opening the show will be Austin, Texas's Los Coast.
On May 3, the fun continues at The MAX as the center celebrates its first year with a gala with music by the Compositionz.
The festival’s annual talent show begins the morning of May 4 in conjunction with Earth’s Bounty at Singing Brakeman Park.
The festival began in 1953 as a way to honor Rodgers, a Meridian native known as “The Father of Country Music.” The event has grown to incorporate diverse music acts that represent the many genres of American music influenced by Rodgers, and will continue to prove itself as a major contributor to tourism, Jimmie Rodgers Foundation board president Ed Snodgrass said in a news release.