Mississippi Prisoners Find Meaning in Music Through Parchman Band Tradition
In Mississippi, incarcerated men at Parchman prison are continuing a long-standing musical tradition through the Parchman Band. The band recently performed at the Grammy Museum Mississippi alongside country singer Charlie Worsham, playing a range of emotions from ballads to original songs about their past experiences. This performance marked the third stop on their spring tour, where the seven band members, dressed in their green-and-white striped uniforms, played for an audience of over 100 people. The Parchman Band is the latest iteration of a musical group that has existed at the prison since the 1930s. Members view themselves as torchbearers of this enduring musical legacy. The Marshall Project's 'Redemption Songs' series has highlighted the band's performances, including their rendition of Chris Stapleton's 'Tennessee Whiskey.' 
