Hometown Mississippi
A vibrant portrait of thirty Mississippi towns, blending photography with personal narratives, to explore the unique identities that define the state
Description
Hometown Mississippi offers an intimate glimpse into thirty Mississippi towns through the lens of author, photographer, and artist Melody Golding. In this stunning collection, Golding captures the essence of her state in the summer of 2024, blending photography and personal exploration to create a colorful and contemporary portrait of Mississippi. From the hills in the north to the sandy shores of the south, from the Piney Woods to the Mississippi River towns and the storied Mississippi Delta, Golding's journey takes readers off the beaten path, away from interstates, and along the winding back roads and highways that once served as the main thoroughfares for these unique small-town destinations.
Each town Golding visits has its own special attractions, including historical landmarks, cultural offerings, recreational spaces, colleges and universities, scenic natural beauty, tourist attractions, and ties to some of the many celebrities Mississippi calls its own. All are distinct, yet all share a common pride in their local identity.
Within the pages of this book, more than fifty Mississippians reflect on their connection to the Magnolia State, offering heartfelt insights into the experiences, traditions, and character of their communities. With warmth and generosity, Mississippians ranging from Morgan Freeman to Marty Stuart to US Senator Roger Wicker, from university presidents to local business owners, share what it means to call Mississippi home.
Reviews
"When a Mississippi treasure like Melody Golding aims her lens toward our hallowed state, there’s no surprise that she would capture the romance and authenticity of what small-town Mississippi is all about."
- Steve Azar, Music and Culture Ambassador of Mississippi
"I grew up in a small Mississippi town. That upbringing echoes in my soul. It has never left me. As the world expands, divides, homogenizes, Melody Golding’s photographs are a vivid reminder that quality life still exists on the quieter roads of the Magnolia State. That life where neighbors are truly neighbors, handshakes are more binding than any contract, and the better parts of ourselves are to be found in the company of those we truly love. The pictures in this book remind me to slow down, get in the hometown groove, and breathe."
- Marty Stuart, Congress of Country Music, Philadelphia, Mississippi
"I was raised in a small town in Mississippi. I went to school there. I graduated from there. My values, my morals, my ethics all come from there. It’s who I am."
- Morgan Freeman
"There is no question that we have scars and bruises from a rough, cruel, and many times inexcusable and unexplainable past, but those are the burdens of the entire country, too. All nations have scars. What defines us as a culture is how we move past those tragedies. I believe Mississippi has risen above our past. I believe I am a son of the new Mississippi."
- Robert St. John, restauranteur and author
"Hometown Mississippi immerses us in small towns, whose sons and daughters defined modern literature, art, and music. Melody Golding’s beautiful photographs capture those towns with special power as she brings us face to face with hauntingly beautiful places we recognize as home. Hometown Mississippi shows us how places touch our hearts in such enduring ways."
- William R. Ferris, editor of Voices of Mississippi: Artists and Musicians Documented by William Ferris