About the Murals of Philadelphia, MS
A message from Shawn Byars
I’ll start at the beginning….I have known Marty my entire life – I have watched him grow and have always been proud of and inspired by him. When I got wind of the dream that Marty wanted to see to fruition in the form of the Congress of Country Music I was very interested. The idea that he would bring it to his and my hometown and entrust us with it was incredibly heart-felt to me. I expressed to Marty how excited I was about it and that I was here to help in any way I could.
Well…it was the winter of 2023, and Marty and Doug Hudson shared with me their vision of our little town covered in flowers through a project to have floral murals covering the walls of our buildings. They asked if I would take it on. I knew absolutely nothing about murals, but I said, “yes,” because I meant it when I said that I would do absolutely anything to help. The idea was to highlight country music songs that have a floral significance in some way, create art to enhance the lyrics, and honor the musicians who brought the songs to life. We would connect it with the community, loved ones, fans, and families through the opportunity of sponsorships and special occasions. We would call it Flowers on the Walls.
It was launched just in time for the Dolly Parton mural to be unveiled during her visit here that summer. It’s been a great experience for me – it’s brought immense gratification, it’s challenged me in more ways than I can list, but mostly it has given me the opportunity to work and play with some amazing people – from artists to musicians, from members of the community to the companies behind the scenes. And a little tid-bit I’d like to share with you about Marty Stuart is that his eye is as good as his ear…..he has taught me so much along the way! This project is turning out to be a powerful bonding and feel-good journey for Philadelphia. We are in awe of the special connections they have spawned, the old memories they have revived and new ones they have brought forth, and the beautiful life that it has taken on its own. We will continue to grow more murals on our walls for a long time to come.
I want to say personally that I am so touched by the support that I and the program have received from the community and all who are watching us grow and, on behalf of our little home – the birthplace of Marty Stuart – we invite everyone to visit the murals in downtown Philadelphia, MS – we’d love to add your beautiful spirit to our garden.
“Flowers..Beautiful Flowers”
The Mural Walk
The Murals
Information written by Shawn Byars
“Wildflowers” by Dolly Parton – Art by Daniel Ethridge – Sponsored by Megan McCoy Wheelock and Dick Wheelock — 08-2-23
This was our first mural and is very special for many reasons. It honors Dolly Parton, who performed at the Ellis the afternoon before its unveiling. At the unveiling, Dolly and Marty performed her song “Wildflowers” outdoors in front of our first gorgeous mural and a glorious crowd of fans. For so many people, seeing Dolly live in all her beauty, talent, and glory was a dream come true!
I had no idea where to begin. While pondering, I happened to see a magazine cover of the Meridian Art Collective painting a giant mural. I called them right away, and the rest is history. Daniel shared his first stab at the art, and Marty loved it—it was meant to be.
The Collective, made up of incredible artists and teachers, painted the mural and invited the entire town to help. Folks showed up in droves! The mural was gridded and numbered, allowing participants as young as 2 and as old as old can be to paint by numbers and actually have a hand in its creation—super special!
Finding the right sponsor was easy. I reached out to my dear friends Megan and Dick, because they love Marty and Dolly, and they considered it an incredible honor to be our first sponsors. The magic had begun, and it just continues to grow!
“Wildflowers don’t care where they grow!”
“Jolly Roger” by Roger McGuinn – Art by David Howell and Casey Byars – Sponsored by The Citizens Bank, Gary Nowell, Joe Jordan, Dick and Terry Molpus, Don and Ellen Kilgore, Ken and Patrice Turner, Jody and Leah Jarrell, Head Auctions and Realty, Chris and Ann Edwards, John and Diana Howell, Mark Howell and Stephanie Artz, Fent DeWeese Family, and Lannie Byars Family — 10-14-23
This mural was the first vinyl installation, created by Mitchell Signs in Meridian. We were behind schedule and didn’t have time to paint the mural directly on the wall, so Mitchell Signs saved the day—finishing installation the very morning of the event!
One of the artists, David Howell, is a huge Roger McGuinn fan, having grown up on The Byrds’ music. Scores of friends and fans joined the sponsorship and the unveiling, where we used a huge sail to cover the art, adding to the feeling of a pirate ship on the rocky sea, just as the song suggested.
Everyone was in awe of seeing Roger in person after years of enjoying his music. He shared stories of touring on the bus long ago, its movement reminding him of the golden days of sail. Marty and Roger’s live rendition of the song to the crowd was the icing on the cake—we all got it, and we loved it!
“Pull away, me lads o’ the Cardiff Rose, and hoist the Jolly Roger!”
“Flowers” by Connie Smith – Art by Casey Byars – Sponsored by Dorette Sarachik — 04-06-24
Connie and Marty wrote a song specifically for this mural, designed in honor of Connie. The song, “Flowers,” is as genuine and beautiful as its title. Marty played it for me as we began to discuss the art. I’ll never forget the conversation. He said, “I want the sky to be as blue as Connie’s eyes, as her eyes are the most beautiful I’ve ever seen…and I want there to be a heart somewhere in the mural because Connie has the biggest heart of anyone I know.” His words brought tears to my eyes, as he could hardly contain his love for Connie.
Once the art was completed, I sent the render to Marty and Connie. Connie called to say, “That is the most beautiful mural I have ever seen.” I knew we had a winner!
Dorette Sarachik jumped at the chance to sponsor, as she has been a Connie Smith fan for a very long time and cherishes her new connection with Connie. Mitchell Signs brought the mural to life—including the blue sky to match Connie’s eyes and a dewdrop in the shape of a heart on a red rose.
We have adopted Connie into our little community with much love, and were thrilled that Marty and Connie gifted us a live performance we’ll never forget.
“I woke up this morning—a little sad and blue—took a walk in the country—looking for the truth… Flowers… I saw flowers.”
“Love is a Rose” by Linda Ronstadt – Art by Kim Kilpatrick – Sponsored by Bob and Jean Mills Yacobucci in Memory of Rose Garrett, Bobby Jean Mills, and Larry Mills — 04-12-25
With help from Mitchell Signs for a last-minute vinyl installation, we have a gorgeous quilt-inspired work of art created by the sponsor’s niece, Kim Kilpatrick. As these murals seem to do, this one wrapped so much into the piece—just like a quilt. Kim remembers fondly her mom and dad, Larry, one of whom the mural honors, dancing to this song when she was young.
Kim incorporated fun and meaningful details into the art. When I shared her vision with Marty, he loved it but asked for one change—the color of the cowboy boots. In his collection, Marty has a pair of Linda’s actual boots, which are purple, so Kim made the change and called it a wrap! Look closely and you’ll also see Linda’s initials carved into her tree of love.
Family is at the heart and soul of this mural—memorializing several loved ones and capped off with the music of Kim’s dad, Larry, who had been a teenage rock-and-roll singer in a local band when Marty was a boy. Marty listened to them growing up and even rode Larry’s school bus during his few years in school here.
“Love is a rose, but you’d better not pick it, only grows when it’s on the vine.”
“I Believe” by Loretta Lynn – Art by Loretta Lynn and Bill Lauderdale – Sponsored by Mike and Cynthia Lauderdale Case, Sarah Lauderdale, Tyler and Family, Eliza and Cade Parsons and Family, Frances Phillips Potts, LiLi and Don Kirkpatrick, Charlie Godwin, and Ann and Ben Weathersby in Memory of Bill and David Lauderdale — 04-12-25
Loretta Lynn often painted while traveling on her tour bus and even gave some of her art to Doug Hudson years ago. We knew we wanted one of her fun, primitive pieces on a wall, larger than life—and found just the one! She painted the two sunflowers that Mitchell Signs adhered to the side of the bakery building.
As I searched for a sponsor, Cynthia Lauderdale showed me a painting by her late husband Bill. It was so stunning and vivid, and such a perfect complement to Loretta’s piece, that we decided to marry them together on the building. Bill had been a much-loved artist and musician here, and now his art shines on us every day.
The unveiling of this mural-combo was deeply moving, with Loretta singing “I Believe” and Cynthia and Bill’s late son David remembered through his own original song. The audio-visual experience touched us all to tears, reminding us how important love and connection are.
“Every time I hear a newborn baby cry, or touch a leaf or see the sky, then I know why I believe, I believe.”
“Broken Halos” by Chris Stapleton – Art by Daniel Ethridge – Sponsored by Mike and Tracy Tinsley, Jack and Angie Conn, Douglas Hudson, Grace and Henry Dabbs, Craig and Melody Vowell, Stacy Brantley, Eric and Ellen Prince, Kent and Mitzi Stribling, David and Roberta Byars, Philadelphia Gun and Pawn, Tribal Chief Cyrus and TaRita Ben in Memory of Fallen Officers from the Choctaw Police Department, Philadelphia Police Department, and Neshoba County Sheriff’s Department — 04-12-25
We wanted to honor our fallen law enforcement officers with a powerful message, and Chris and Mike’s song was the perfect choice. Friends and supporters came out of the woodwork to back the effort. The ethereal canvas, dotted with pink blossoms, became the perfect background to spotlight the song’s themes of comfort and pain, life and death.
Mitchell Signs did another outstanding job. We were fortunate that Chris and his wife Morgane attended the unveiling. They were as touched by it as we were by their presence and performance. It was a somber experience, highlighted by the thrill of seeing Chris and Morgane up close—so gracious, embracing our community and vision.
“Seen my share of broken halos, folded wings that used to fly. They’ve all gone wherever they go, broken halos that used to shine.”
“A Rose Between Two Thorns” by Crystal Gayle – Art by Liesa Allen – Sponsored in loving memory of Hugh Thomasson, by his wife Helen Thomasson and his daughter PatThomasson – 11-14-25.
The song depicts a beautiful, delicate young girl who is caught in the middle of two parents who are the total opposites of her, and who create a painful existence from which she cannot escape. As heartbreaking as the subject matter is, the song manages to land very tenderly.
It was very important that the mural be as beautiful, tender, and delicate as the song, and Liesa Allen, local artist and art teacher, was chosen because of her magnificent control of the watercolor paintbrush, particularly in depicting flowers of all kinds. Her response to my request that she create art for this mural was tears in her eyes – what a tender moment that was, mainly because her deceased parents thought that Marty and Connie hung the moon! This was a very big deal for her and she did not disappoint us. The color that the rose would be was a controversial subject all the way up until the deadline, but those of us involved all looked at each other in the end acknowledging that, once again, Marty knew best.
This mural graces the wall of the Busy Bee Cafe, which is quite a historical building in downtown Philadelphia, having been a hub for black musicians during Marty’s young days. Marty has powerful memories about the building and the impact that the people there had on him and his entire life. That energy obviously enhances the mural, and makes it shine top to bottom! For sponsorship I chose the Thomasson family because the patriarch of the family, Hugh Thomasson, who besides having been a skilled businessman and community leader during his lifetime, also became quite a skilled gardener who cultivated beautiful roses. Hugh gave so much to the community, and with his generosity, the roses were the icing on the cake. We all feel reassurance knowing that Hugh is tending this rose well too, this “Rose Between Two Thorns”.
“Will the Roses Bloom” by Ricky Skaggs – Art by Casey Byars – Sponsored by Julie Kilgore Joyner and Rick Joyner and Jamie Pappas.
Ricky Skaggs had been a big part of the opening ceremony of the Ellis Theater years ago, and now he was coming back to perform again. We wanted to honor him with a mural. This song deals with such a deep and serious subject, but in a light, high energy, toe tapping style. We wanted the mural to give just a glimpse into the landscape describing the scene.
We found the perfect wall with the side of the City Jewelry building. In its very old days the building was a state-of-the-art bank, and it had tall, narrow windows all along the length of the wall. The windows, however, at some point, had been removed, and brick replaced them. We decided to play on that, and give the effect that windows were still there, but this time, looking out onto a beautiful outdoor setting with the somber vision of a rose-covered grave with a dainty heart marker. The sponsors of this mural made the “soft” unveiling of this mural very special and lots of fun.
I actually first met Ricky Skaggs at the Neshoba County Fair many years ago, as he was pickin and singing with Julie, one of the sponsors, on the front porch of her fair cabin. Julie’s parents, to whom she dedicated the mural, had Philadelphia roots, and though Julie grew up away from here, she visits often and still considers Philadelphia at least one of her homes. She and Ricky Skaggs have been dear friends for a long time, with Ricky even playing at her daughter’s wedding. The other sponsor, Jamie Pappas, hails all the way from the St. Louis area, yet she visits our little town often to find outstanding entertainment – so much so that she is even hoping to move here so she won’t miss a single note! She is a dedicated Marty Stuart fan and actually helps quite often with mural sponsorships.
As usual, the mural wasn’t completely adhered to the wall until the day before Ricky’s performance. It was touch and go because of the weather…..of course…..The day before Ricky was scheduled to perform, the installers began the process with their fingers crossed – lo and behold it stuck! Miracles happen around here all the time! The day of the “soft unveiling” it was cold and drizzly, but Ricky was a real trooper and paid no attention to anything except the honor being bestowed upon him. Ricky loved it and graciously visited with the sponsors after his show that night. We had the true unveiling as part of a mural parade with Marty and Connie along for the walk and stopping to bless the mural on 04-25-26.
“Sunflower” by Neil Diamond – Performed by Glen Campbell – Art by Hunter Thrash – Sponsored by The Marty Gamblin Family, Morgan Tile Carpet One, Arden Barnett, Jamie Pappas, Cynthia Jordan, and Joe Jordan.
There was a magnificent portion of a prominent wall calling to me everyday when I turned the corner headed to town. It stood stately, tall and thin, and begged to be beautifully adorned with an important message. I looked at it for quite some time considering different options for a mural. I knew that Marty and Connie love sunflowers, and one day it just struck me how magnificent a glorious sunflower would be towering and watching over us. So I had a sunflower in my mind – that was a start. Simultaneously, the idea to create a mural in honor of an incredible Philadelphian who had sadly left this world a short time before, Marty Gamblin, was prominent in my mind. I had not planned for those two ideas to converge, but as all things work around here, as I say so often………the magic was about to unveil itself.
I began to research Marty Gamblin and his amazing accomplishments, and I learned that he had been a very dear friend of Glen Campbell’s and even managed Campbell’s publishing firm………..and that, lo and behold………..Glen Campbell recorded Neil Diamond’s song “Sunflower” back in his heigh day – 1977 to be exact! Perfect! A mural was born, and a very talented local artist, Hunter Thrash, made the vision a reality. Philadelphia, MS has long been known as the home town of a very famous Marty – Marty Stuart, but actually, even before Marty Stuart, Philadelphia had another famous Marty – Marty Gamblin. And believe it or not, they were both in the music business – the Nashville music business.
Gamblin moved to Nashville and worked with greats such as Alan Jackson, Charley Pride and Dorothy Moore, but his biggest hit came with Gladys Knight and the Pips’ recording of “Midnight Train to Georgia.” What struck me most during the celebration of this mural were the words of Marty Gamblin’s son and granddaughter. They expressed such pure love for him and made it obvious that family was the most important thing in Marty’s life. And in his attempt to give his family the best life that he could, he moved them back to Philadelphia, MS, because he loved his hometown and he loved Mississippi, and he hoped that this small spot on the earth would someday mean to them what it meant to him. We are all touched to have Marty Gamblin watching over us through the petals of this glorious sunflower – the flower that Marty Stuart said spoke to him in a different way – a kind of melancholy way. I think we all feel that- it’s glorious indeed, but what it represents is the most beautiful part. It’s hard to put into words what Marty Gamblin meant to us and our town – this mural helps us articulate it better, and the sight of it brings us pride and comfort, giving us one more reason to know that we’re in the right place too.
“Flowers on the Wall” by the Statler Brothers – Art by Casey Byars – Sponsored by Barry and Nicole Pettit, Barry and Melissa Clark, Brent Gray, Jamie Pappas, Eric and Ellen Prince, Kent and Missy Winstead, and Walt and Allison Willis.
We were very fortunate to have Jimmy Fortune – an “adopted” member of the Statler Brothers – perform at the Ellis Theater on 03-28-26. From the get go Marty told me that there would be two songs whose murals would need to be head and shoulders above all the rest in terms of historical importance and significance to our mission. This was one of them, and the mural had to be as magnificent and as fun as the song.
Though the song is “Flowers ON the Wall”, the song and the mural are really “OFF the wall” in terms of delivery – so absurdly whimsical. I remember listening to it when I was a teenager and even then getting tickled at the lyrics – such an unfortunate situation for such an unfortunate soul, but absolutely hilarious!
Marty had told me that we would love Jimmy Fortune – a singer’s singer, yet so fun and genuine. Jimmy didn’t disappoint. He attended our soft unveiling, showing such honest humility at our efforts to honor him, the Statler Brothers and the song. He had us in stitches the whole time… well, except when we were in tears, hearing of his love for his band family. He even honored us with a live performance of the song. He explained that he wasn’t an original member of the band and wasn’t involved with the writing of the song but recounted numerous memories of singing the song hundreds of times with them throughout their long, joyful career together.
The artist of the mural stated that creating this mural was as much fun as he imagined writing the song to be. I considered the criteria for sponsorship of this particular mural to be a little different than others that had come before. The sponsors would need to have a great sense of humor and a respect and understanding of the absurd. I thought for about three minutes, and the list of sponsors came to mind! And….finding the right wall, actually walls, could have been a real challenge, until I went to Chad and Stacy, who own one of the buildings, and heard them say loud and clear………..”We don’t want a girly floral mural on our wall.” Well….I knew I was in the right place!
“Wings of a Dove” by Bob Ferguson – Art by Hunter Thrash – Sponsored by The Family of Ava James Byars.
We had the biggest turnout as of yet for the unveiling of this mural. The “Wings of a Dove” mural was filled with an extra dose of heart, love, meaning, and community – it was a very memorable event which took place as the last stop of our Mural Tour on April 25, 2026.
I honestly don’t know which inspiration came first for this mural, as each element was as significant as the next. The Bogue Chitto Social Dancers and Drummers shared their hearts and traditions with us throughout the event in honor of the songwriter, Bob Ferguson, who had actually been a Neshoba County resident having resided in the Choctaw community much of his life. He was a true celebrity, having also produced major hits, such as Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You”. We were privy to fun and interesting stories about his life told to us by his daughters, who are still local residents. Hunter Thrash, a talented local artist, hit the mark with every detail of the mural which was created as a loving gift given by the family of precious Ava James Byars, who was called to heaven way before any of us were ready for her to go. Hunter shared with us that the responsibility of this mural really sat heavily on him, as he knew it had to be just right.
Ava was an extraordinary young teen who touched way more lives than her short time here would seem to allow. She was wise and caring beyond her years and had an angelic glow about her even before she was called home. Hunter’s family was very close to her, and he took great care to include symbolism throughout the mural, including the delicate use of her favorite color, pink, as well as her school’s colors, and many other details to create a visual story of Ava’s beautiful life. Ava was celebrated through touching gestures such as the reading of a poem written by her aunt and meaningful words spoken by her pastor. You could feel the power of the love permeating the crowd – the love for Ava, for sure, but also the love of all we were experiencing together. It was powerful.
The event was topped off by sincere words from Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben, and as a closing nod to all that we knew was bigger than ourselves we witnessed a moving performance of the song by Marty and Connie. Everyone left that experience having been moved again and again, feeling that we all had been riding the “Wings of a Dove”.