Legendary pedal steel guitarist Lloyd Green was honored with a Mississippi Country Music Trail marker at the University of Southern Mississippi on Tuesday.
With a career spanning over five decades, Green contributed to 116 No. 1 hits. Green also played alongside country stars like Tammy Wynette and Alan Jackson, as well as musical icons such as Bob Dylan and Paul McCartney. Before becoming a central figure in Country Music, Green was born in Leaf, Mississippi, and attended Southern Miss as a student.
“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. To be recognized here, among the people and places that influenced me, is truly humbling.”
Country music star Marty Stuart, university officials, and community leaders attended the ceremony to celebrate Green’s influence on the genre. Expressing his gratitude for the recognition, Green emphasized his deep ties with Mississippi as his contributions to the Nashville sound and country music earned him a place in the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 1988.
“I love Lloyd Green. He is one of my all-time favorite Country Music heroes. 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,” Stuart said. “His contributions are definitive. It is such an honor to be a part of a celebration that welcomes Lloyd Green home to Mississippi and to witness the unveiling of his marker on Mississippi’s Historical Country Music Trail.”
The Mississippi Country Music Trail honors the state’s rich musical heritage with 40 markers statewide. With the addition of Green’s marker, Hattiesburg is further touted as a pub for music and culture.
“Hattiesburg’s musical legacy continues to be celebrated, and this marker further solidifies our city as a destination for music and the arts,” Visit Hattiesburg CEO Marlo Dorsey said. “Lloyd Green’s contributions to country music span generations, and we are eager to welcome visitors to our community to honor his legacy.”
