<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3PCFTJ_1D2sBV9400" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3PCFTJ_1D2sBV9400" width="1200" height="600" >MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) -Ken Rainey was a kid back in 1953 and sat on the grounds at Ray Stadium for the first Jimmie Rodgers Music Festival.And for the next 70-plus years, he never missed one. In fact, Rainey went on to promote and book for the festival for decades.During the heyday of Jimmie Rodgers in the 1970’s and 80’s, Rainey booked some of the biggest names in country music, including Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Conway Twitty, George Straight and Alabama.“All these big stars would come here for virtually nothing,” said Roger Smith, Owner of the Temple Theater. “Ken was their friend and they would do it personally for him.”Rainey was a local radio pioneer, playing country music for decades. He still owns some stations, including Supertalk Mississippi in Meridian. The call letters: WZKR. The KR stands for Ken Rainey.Although Ken was very passionate about country music and the Jimmie Rodgers Music Festival, his love for his family and our community knew no bounds“Ken was always talking about our business,” said Jon Pollard, General Manager of WTOK-TV. “He was always talking about our industry and our community. He impacted this area in more ways than anyone can imagine.”Ken will leave behind an incredible legacy. He has impacted tens of thousands of people and countless musicians and entertainers.“I ended up getting a record deal,” said Scott McQuaig, a singer/songwriter from Meridian. “He was the guy. If you wanted something done in Meridian about country music, who else would you go to. Ken Rainey.In an interview I did with him a few years ago, Rainey said there’s really no secret to the success of Jimmie Rodgers and other events. In fact, it was pretty simple.“Those seats right there have got to be filled because you can’t do it any other way. Our city hall has got to have a crowd to participate because at the end of the night, there’s got to be enough money coming in to offset the cost of the entire week. And so that’s the key to it. Now if we want to be the entertainment city of Mississippi, it’s going to take support.” Ken Rainey. Producer. Radio personality. Husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend to countless people. An icon in the music business whose impact will be felt for generations to come.Service arrangements will be Friday July 10, 2026. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Funeral will be at 12:00 p.m.</div></body>

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MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) - Ken Rainey was a kid back in 1953 and sat on the grounds at Ray Stadium for the first Jimmie Rodgers Music Festival. And for the next 70-plus years, he never missed one. In fact, Rainey went on to promote and book for the festival for decades.

Remembering Ken Rainey

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MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) - Ken Rainey was a kid back in 1953 and sat on the grounds at Ray Stadium for the first Jimmie Rodgers Music Festival. And for the n

Remembering Ken Rainey

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