Carl Perkins Pathway Marker

Explore the boyhood home of “The King of Rockabilly,” Carl Perkins in Tiptonville, located about two hours north of Memphis. Carl Perkins fused country, blues, bluegrass and gospel music, making his early records among the cornerstones of rock ‘n’ roll. In fact, the Beatles placed three Carl Perkins’ songs – “Matchbox,” “Everybody’s Trying to Be My Baby,” and “Honey, Don’t” – on their albums. He was one-fourth of the Million Dollar Quartet session, joining Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis on that legendary jam session. He wrote and co-wrote hit songs for Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash and George Strait. He continually gave back to his community, forming the state’s first center for the prevention of child abuse in Jackson, Tennessee.

After paying respects to Perkins, learn more about his life and career in Jackson, Tennessee at the Southern Legends of Music at the Carnegie. The museum houses the largest collection of Carl Perkin’s career including his first electric guitar, signed records, costumes, photographs and more. You’ll also find artifacts and stories about the area’s other legends including W.S. Holland, Tina Turner and more. If you’re staying in Tiptonville, you’ll want to see the sunken cypress trees at Reelfoot Lake State Park, one of Tennessee’s only man-made lakes. It was created from the 1811-1812 earthquakes when the Mississippi River flowed backward.