The Story of The Congress

The spiritual home of country music.

OUR MISSION

Marty Stuart’s Congress of Country Music is the spiritual home of country music, committed to touching lives by sharing experiences, through exhibits, education and performances that inspire dreams for generations. 

OUR VISION

We aspire to touch lives through a real diversity of offerings in an authentic place unlike any other. Unique live programming, exhibits which honor both legends and newcomers and substantial educational offerings reach audiences across the state and country. Major performing artists are regularly featured alongside a solid season of events integrated with revolving exhibits in collaboration with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Our educational offerings will touch all ages and be accredited and recognized for their influence.

We will exceed expectations of those we interact with as demonstrated by high customer services ratings, testimonials about the genuine and tangible impact we have on others and we take pride in a stellar reputation with artists, their team and others within our community.

The Congress of Country Music has strong leadership, within the board and staff, endowed with integrity, financial strength and accountability.

We actively participate in renewing the vibrant character and a new energy in Philadelphia as we engage more than 100,000 patrons from around the nation and world each year. In so doing, our community enjoys a flagship reputation as a music destination in Mississippi.

Recently, when asked what is the most outlaw thing you could possibly do in Nashville these days, Marty Stuart replied, “Play country music.”

MARTY STUART

John Marty Stuart was born September 30, 1958, in Philadelphia, Mississippi. A child prodigy on guitar and mandolin, Marty made his first professional appearance at the age of 12, performing with country legends Carl and Pearl Butler. A few months later, he joined the bluegrass group the Sullivan Family Gospel Singers. A year later, he was touring with Lester Flatt and the Nashville Grass, making his debut on the Grand Ole Opry at just 13. By the age of 21, he was a member of Johnny Cash’s band. Since leaving his mentor’s band, Stuart has become one of the most respected country music artists of our time.

The young rebel, who set out to shake Nashville up, is now regarded as a rogue statesman. Ace musician, distinctive vocalist, skilled songwriter, poet, inspired bandleader, photographer, knowledgeable historian, and exciting entertainer, Marty Stuart occupies a space all his own in the world of country music. Though he is a staunch traditionalist, the five-time Grammy winner encourages the expansion of all boundaries in taking country music to a global audience. ~ Special thanks to Alan Cackett

“If country music had a president, it would be Marty Stuart. He is the embodiment of the culture. His Congress of Country Music is to be his presidential library. It’s a place where all generations will come to study and be inspired. There’s no doubt that Marty Stuart’s Congress of Country Music will be a jewel among the nation’s cultural centers.”
~ Ken Burns

PHILADELPHIA, MISSISSIPPI

MARTY'S WALKTHROUGH of the Congress of County Music

Board of Directors

Pat Thomasson
Liza Cirlot Looser
John Peets
David Vowell
Jackie Hester

Marty Stuart
David Conrad
Marty Gamblin
Kinsey Goldman
Tim Moore

Steve Wilkerson
Jack Conn
Doug Hudson

STAFF

Arden Barnett – Booking / Operations
Loretta Mooney – Ellis Theater Box Office Manager
Natalie Dreifuss – Congress of Country Music Project Manager
TJ Barnett – Marketing
Jonathan Taylor – Production Manager

ellis theater management

Advisory Board

Ken Burns
America’s Premier Documentarian
Walpole, NH

Brian Downes
Executive Director, John Wayne Birthplace & Museum
Winterset, IA

Matt Glaser
American Roots Music Professor
Berklee College of Music
Boston, MA

Manuel
King of Country Couture
Nashville, TN

Craig Ray
Director of Tourism, State of Mississippi
Jackson, MS

Dan Rogers
Executive Producer, Grand Ole Opry
Nashville, TN

Connie Smith
Country Music Legend
Nashville, TN

Rob Stone
Film Historian
Culpeper, VA

Marty Stuart
Country Music Legend
Nashville, TN

John Troutman
Music Curator, Smithsonian Institution
Washington, DC

Kyle Young
CEO, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Nashville, TN

HOW WE GOT HERE

1969-CURRENT

Collection and archives are amassed.

1969-CURRENT

2003

The Mississippi initiative is announced during the Electric Barnyard Tour, featuring Merle Haggard, Connie Smith, Old Crow Medicine Show and Rhonda Vincent, at William Faulkner’s Rowan Oak property in Oxford, MS.

2003

2007

The Marty Stuart Collection is formally established in partnership with the Tennessee State Museum. The Collection is curated and opened to the public in an exhibit entitled, “Sparkle & Twang: Marty Stuart’s American Musical Odyssey.”

After a record-breaking stay at the Tennessee State Museum, the exhibit travels to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Autry Museum of the American West in Los Angeles, the Arkansas State Museum, and the Riley Center in Meridian, MS.

 

2007

2008

The first of 156 Marty Stuart television shows airs. The shows are sponsored by Mississippi Tourism and Neshoba County Tourism.

2008

2009

The concept of the Country Music Trail is spearheaded; with the assistance of Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, the Mississippi State Legislature is lobbied to pass legislation to create the landmark-based attraction.

The Marty Stuart Drive permanent marker is dedicated in Arlington, MS.

2009

2013

Neshoba County donates the old Coca-Cola building in downtown Philadelphia, MS, to house the collection and archives while funds are raised for permanent display space. $1 Million dollars in state bond money is awarded for the renovation of the building. The Marty Stuart Archives/Collection is appraised.

2013

2015

$500,000 in state bond money is awarded for the renovation of the building.

2015