Contact: Allison Matthews
MERIDIAN, Miss.鈥An adventurous array of musical artists is set to excite audiences during 2025-26 Fall and Winter Performing Arts Series.
The six-concert season begins in August and runs through January 2026. It welcomes a stellar lineup of artists whose influence spans genres and generations, including the legendary Marshall Tucker Band, soulful powerhouse Leela James, country music icon Randy Travis, the dynamic vocal group Straight No Chaser, Tony Award-winning performer Leslie Odom Jr. and the timeless rock band Kansas.
All performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Riley Center鈥檚 restored Victorian theater.
鈥淓ach artist brings a unique energy to the stage, promising unforgettable experiences for our audiences,鈥 said Morgan Dudley, Riley Center director. 鈥淭his season celebrates not only the power of performance but also the continued growth of the 麻豆传媒AVRiley Center as a premier destination for the performing arts in Mississippi and beyond.鈥
Dudley said the 麻豆传媒AVRiley Center thanks The Riley Foundation, The Phil Hardin Foundation, 麻豆传媒AVand Friends of the Lady members, whose continued support helps make these shows possible.
Season tickets for the upcoming series are now on sale, with prices ranging from $215 to $600 for VIP seating. Current ticketholders must renew by June 27 to retain their existing seats.
Beginning June 23, patrons can create custom 鈥淏uild-Your-Own鈥 mini packages by selecting three or more shows. Individual tickets go on sale to the general public June 30, with prices varying by artist and seat location.
Details of this year鈥檚 scheduled performances include:
Band of Heathens
Individual bonus show, sold separately; not part of the Fall/Winter series
Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025 | 7:30 p.m.
Tickets $25 to $45
The rock鈥檔鈥檙oll group from Austin, Texas, has built a loyal following with their chart-topping Americana albums, heartfelt songwriting and signature blend of gutsy, introspective sound. Founding members Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist lead the band alongside longtime keyboardist Trevor Nealon, bassist Jesse Wilson and drummer Richard Millsap. Their most recent album 鈥淪imple Things鈥 held the No. 1 spot on the Americana charts for two months and received national attention with appearances on Austin City Limits聽and CBS Saturday Morning.
Marshall Tucker Band
Thursday, August 14, 2025 | 7:30 p.m.
Tickets $40 to $95
Founded in 1972 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the Marshall Tucker Band helped pioneer Southern rock with soulful hits like 鈥淐an鈥檛 You See鈥 and 鈥淗eard It in a Love Song.鈥 Led by original vocalist Doug Gray, the band鈥檚 unique sound has influenced generations of artists and remains a staple across stages and streaming platforms.
Leela James
Saturday, August 23, 2025 | 7:30 p.m.
Tickets $25 to $55
James is a celebrated R&B and soul singer known for her fearless, authentic style and powerful, husky voice. Since her 2006 debut 鈥淎 Change is Gonna Come,鈥 she鈥檚 remained a consistent force in soul music, earning chart success with hits like 鈥淐omplicated鈥 and the gold-certified 鈥淔all for You.鈥 Nicknamed the 鈥淕od-Daughter of Soul鈥 by James Brown and influenced by legends like Etta James and Chaka Khan, James blends soul, funk and jazz. She鈥檚 toured worldwide, appeared on television shows like 鈥淒ancing with the Stars鈥 and 鈥淩&B Divas: LA鈥 and continues to connect with fans through new releases like her May single 鈥淩ight On Time.鈥
Randy Travis: More Life Tour
Thursday, September 25, 2025 | 7:30 p.m.
Tickets $35 to $115
The Randy Travis: More Life Tour marks a heartfelt return for Travis. The Country Music Hall of Famer returns to the stage with special guest James Dupr茅 and Travis鈥檚 original touring band, reuniting for the first time since Travis suffered a stroke in 2013. Dupr茅 will perform all of Travis鈥檚 iconic hits, including 鈥淔orever and Ever, Amen,鈥 鈥淥n the Other Hand,鈥 and 鈥淭hree Wooden Crosses,鈥 while Travis makes special appearances throughout the tour.
The tour follows the success of Travis鈥檚 memoir 鈥淔orever and Ever, Amen: A Memoir of Music, Faith, and Braving the Storms of Life,鈥 which received major media attention and exceeded expectations. Always finding ways to connect with fans, Travis also released two AI-assisted songs this past year鈥斺淲here That Came From鈥 and 鈥淗orses in Heaven鈥濃攕howing that his music continues to inspire and evolve.
Straight No Chaser: Holiday Road Tour
Thursday, October 23, 2025 | 7:30 p.m.
Tickets $25 to $95
Known for their seamless harmonies, humor and contemporary take on a cappella, Straight No Chaser has earned gold-certified albums, sold more than 2 million records and performed for more than 1.5 million fans worldwide. The Holiday Road Tour marks the release of Straight No Chaser鈥檚 first full-length holiday album in five years, following 2020鈥檚 鈥淪ocial Christmasing.鈥 Fans can expect more information on the album鈥檚 tracklist in the coming months.
鈥淭his year, we poured our hearts into our latest album,鈥 said group member Walter Chase. 鈥淚f you come to our show, you can expect to laugh, sing and be fully prepared to ring in the holidays.鈥
Leslie Odom Jr.: The Christmas Tour
Tuesday, December 16, 2025 | 7:30 p.m.
Tickets $55 to $125
Odom Jr. is an accomplished songwriter and actor, best known for his role as Aaron Burr in the Broadway musical 鈥淗amilton,鈥 which he is scheduled to reprise Sept. 9-Nov. 23. He recently produced and starred in the acclaimed revival of 鈥淧urlie Victorious,鈥 which earned six Tony nominations. He has appeared in several notable films and television shows, including 鈥淥ne Night in Miami,鈥 鈥淜nives Out: Glass Onion,鈥 and 鈥淗amilton鈥 on Disney+.
Kansas
Friday, January 30, 2026 | 7:30 p.m.
Tickets $35 to $115
Formed in Topeka, Kansas, the legendary classic rock band Kansas has sold more than 30 million albums across five decades. They have released 16 studio and five live albums, boasting hits like 鈥淐arry on my Wayward Son鈥 and 鈥淒ust in the Wind.鈥 The band remains active, touring extensively, and continues to have a significant presence in popular culture.
To purchase tickets and for more information, visit , call 601-696-2200, or visit the 麻豆传媒AVRiley Center Box Office, 2200 Fifth St., in the heart of historic downtown Meridian.
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