Roots Reunion is a twice-yearly stage show and live radio broadcast featuring traditional forms of Mississippi music played by South Mississippi artists.

Roots Reunion takes place on Saturday, November 1 from 7:00-9:00 pm at the Old Walthall School auditorium (601 Court Street-corner of Court and Rebecca). Admission is free, but donations and food purchases to to benefit the USM Feral Cat Association.

The Roots Reunion is a production of the Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage and broadcast live on WUSM, 88.5 FM. Call 601.266.4574 for more information.

Featured Artists:

Tommie "T-Bone" Pruitt - part of a long tradition of bluesman to come out of southern Mississippi. Renown for his acoustic blues, Pruitt has played with such greats as played with artists such as the Five Royales, Bo Diddley, Ivory Joe Hunter, and Ernie K-Doe.

The Larry Wallace Band - From southwest Mississippi, Larry is recognized as one of the top banjo players in the state. The group promises to continue a Roots tradition of showcasing some of the finest bluegrass artists in the Mississippi.

George Cecil McLeod, Jr - Known as the "Fiddling Senator," Mr. McLeod served in the Mississippi senate and has had a musical career spanning seven decades. His skill on the fiddle has been widely recognized. As Bill Monroe once noted, "I like his fiddle playing; it's a good Mississippi style. People respect him at the Grand Ole Opry, he treats his audience right."

The New Additions - With their first appearance at Roots Reunion, The New Additions promise to become an instant crowd favorite. This locally based quartet promises a rousing and uplifting performance of traditional gospel.

David McCoy - . Returning to the Roots Reunion stage, David McCoy's skill of the harmonica will also be featured during the November 1st performance.

The Patchwork String Band - The house band and the glue that holds the Roots Reunion together, Patchwork warms you up and closes the show with a set of old-time country.  The Patchwork String Band brings a much older style of music to the stage with its old-time country and string numbers. The group of South Mississippians forms the house band, opening and closing the show.

"Roots Reunion is becoming a South Mississippi institution. The performers continue to get stronger and the audiences are better each time," said Stephen Sloan, assistant director of the Center for Oral History. "We look forward to the shows as much as anyone. It's a treat for the center to bring this to the community." The Mississippi Arts Commission, the Purple Parrot Café and Crescent City Grill, and the Center sponsor Roots Reunion for Oral History and Cultural Heritage at Southern Miss, the USM Department of History and the USM School of Music.