Highway 72 and Gross Avenue

Burnsville, MS

Pete Pyle, a native of Burnsville, Mississippi, played a pivotal role in shaping modern country music. Born in 1920, Pyle’s musical journey began with performances on regional radio stations, and by 1940, he had signed with RCA Victor, marking the start of a storied career. As a member of the Grand Ole Opry and Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys, Pyle contributed to the development of the distinctive “high, lonesome sound” of bluegrass. His songwriting prowess produced classics like “True Life Blues” and “Highway of Sorrow,” and his influence extended well into the twenty-first century. Pyle’s legacy was cemented with his induction into the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame in 2017, honoring a career that brought the soul of Burnsville to the heart of country music.