This week on the Mississippi Arts Hour, Maria speaks with 2025 Governor’s Arts Awards Excellence in Traditional Arts recipients, The Rising Stars Fife and Drum Band.

Sharde Thomas Mallory and Chris Mallory are the dynamic duo behind the Rising Stars Fife and Drum Band. Sharde’s grandfather, Otha Turner, known as the father of Fife and Drum music, continues his legacy today. In recent years, the band has grown into a worldwide brand and monumental blues history sensation, playing at some of the best venues in the country, including the Lincoln Center and the Ryman Auditorium, as well as countless festivals around the globe.

Join us on February 6 as they are honored at the 2025 Governor’s Arts Awards, and tune in to this episode on Sunday, January 19, at 5 p.m. on MPB Think Radio! Don’t forget—you can catch this and previous episodes anytime by subscribing to the podcast!

For more information about the 2025 Governor’s Arts Awards, visit arts.ms.gov/gaa