The Mississippi Country Music Trail has added two new markers in Hattiesburg, honoring Grammy Award-winning songwriter Craig Wiseman and renowned steel guitarist Lloyd Green. The trail, established in 2010 by Visit Mississippi, commemorates artists who have influenced country music, bringing the total number of markers to 41.
In late February, approximately 50 people gathered on the University of Southern Mississippi’s campus for the unveiling of Green’s marker. USM President Joe Paul, Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker, and country music legend Marty Stuart attended the event, along with Green’s family. The six-foot marker recognizes Green’s contributions to country music, including his work on 116 No. 1 hits.
“This means a tremendous amount to our university…future students can look and be inspired just by this man from a small town,” Paul said.
A month later, Visit Mississippi unveiled a marker in Midtown Hattiesburg for Wiseman, a Hattiesburg native whose songwriting career spans more than four decades. Wiseman wrote 29 No. 1 country hits for artists such as Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, and Chris Young. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015.
On March 27, the Midtown Merchants Association dedicated the Craig Wiseman Bandshell, an outdoor performance space honoring Wiseman’s impact on the music industry and his hometown. That same day, Barker declared March 27 as “Craig Wiseman Day” in Hattiesburg.
“To be honored like this, in the place it all began—it’s hard to put into words,” Wiseman said. “This moment, this marker, this bandshell—it all means the world to me.”
Mississippi tourism officials also recognized the importance of the state’s contributions to country music.
“Mississippi is blessed to have so many remarkable musicians and songwriters who have helped make Mississippi the birthplace of America’s music,” said Rochelle Hicks, director of Visit Mississippi. “Adding Craig’s marker to the Mississippi Country Music Trail is an important milestone in recognizing those who have made Mississippi instrumental to American and popular music.”
Green, a Leaf, Mississippi, native and USM alumnus, played on recordings for artists including Johnny Cash, Tammy Wynette, and Alan Jackson. He also collaborated with Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan. His contributions helped define the steel guitar’s role in country music.
Marty Stuart, who spoke at Green’s marker dedication, emphasized his lasting impact on the genre.
“I love Lloyd Green. He is one of my all-time favorite country music heroes,” Stuart said. “He personifies the term ‘Nashville Cat.’ As one of the leading master architects of country music’s golden era, Lloyd helped write the book on the language of the steel guitar’s role in our culture.”
Green expressed gratitude for the recognition in the city where he once studied music.
“Southern Miss holds a special place in my heart, and I am deeply honored by this recognition,” Green said. “Mississippi has always been home, and my time in Hattiesburg helped shape my journey in music.”
The Mississippi Country Music Trail continues to highlight the state’s influence on country music, honoring artists whose careers have shaped the genre.