30 Years Underground

Meridian Underground, the magazine

Before the store, there was the name. After working as a photographer at The Meridian Star, Wayne published Meridian Underground, “Mississippi's New Alternative Magazine,” covering the bands, artists and culture just under the surface of Meridian. (It later grew into FAME.) In 1994 the magazine sponsored the Meridian Underground Jam, a day of local bands on one bill. The magazine's skyline logo would later hang over the store's door.

Source: Wayne Williams

A poetry reading, and Stacey

Wayne started a poetry reading at The Coffee Shop, 817 22nd Avenue, in the Peavey Building. That's where he met Stacey. Remember the address; it comes back.

Source: Wayne Williams

The Meridian Underground Music Exchange opens

MUM's official birthday. Wayne and Stacey opened the Meridian Underground Music Exchange at 809 22nd Avenue, in the old Wagner Building downtown, with 230 CDs from their own personal collection and a few necklaces. The idea was simple: trade two CDs for one.

“I started the store off with my personal CD collection.”

Source: Wayne Williams · Old MUM site, History page

Three days closed

Wayne and Stacey got married, and closed the store for three days for the honeymoon.

“We started the store and then got married, and shut the store down for three days to take a honeymoon.”

Nearly twenty years later, the Star reported those were still the only three days in a row MUM had ever closed.

Source: Wayne Williams · Meridian Star, Oct 2015

Home to the Peavey Building

MUM moved a couple of doors down to 817 22nd Avenue: the Peavey Building, the original home of Peavey Electronics, and the same building where The Coffee Shop poetry reading had brought Wayne and Stacey together. MUM stayed on 22nd Avenue for 13 years. Years later, Hartley Peavey himself left records at MUM on consignment when he moved to Florida.

Source: Wayne Williams · Old MUM site, History page

Knocking down walls

A room next door was added and a hole knocked through the wall for space, and later MUM expanded into the old Joy's Bridal next door too. The new room even got a tanning bed (“Many happy customers have since gotten a great deal on some good rays!”).

Source: Old MUM site, History page · Meridian Star, Oct 2015

Poetry nights & jams

Thursday-night poetry meetings drew 15 to 30 people, with coffee and the occasional live jazz band. The jazz led to local bands asking to play, and soon MUM hosted free Jams every few weeks: four local bands, an hour each.

“We really put the shows on for two reasons, for the bands to have a place to play and to give the kids, who can't get into the bars, something to do.”

Source: Old MUM site, History page · Meridian Star, 2006

Halloween at MUM

Halloween at MUM goes back to the very beginning. In 1997 about 75 people turned out, nearly all in costume, and the old site promised Halloween Jams “every year from now on.” MUM has kept that promise: 2026 is the 30th annual.

Source: Wayne Williams · Old MUM site, History page

Out on the sidewalk

When school let out in May 1998, the store was too full of stock for indoor shows, so MUM got parade permits and took the music to the sidewalk. About 15 sidewalk jams followed, with bands like The Cooters, Chains of Flesh and Vapid Butchery. That same year, Planet Freak Body Piercing opened as a shop inside the store.

Source: Old MUM site, History page · Old MUM site photo archive

Scott Decker on the MUM stage

Local rocker Scott Decker played MUM in its early years before moving to Las Vegas. In October 2026, MUM hosted its first Decker Jam in his memory.

Source: Wayne Williams

Sidewalk jams & Jason Cooper

The sidewalk jams kept rolling, and local artist Jason Cooper started making concert posters, the beginning of a long run of MUM show art. MUM got its first website, with galleries of Wayne's own photos from the jams and Halloween parties.

Source: Meridian Star, 2006 · Wayne Williams

A stage in the back room

MUM built a small stage to host concerts and raves in the back room. The old site from those years also lists raves with regional DJs and the Queen City Gypsies belly dancing group.

Source: Old MUM site, History page · Old MUM site photo archive

Deadboy & the Elephantmen

Dax Riggs brought Deadboy & the Elephantmen, from Houma, Louisiana, to the back-room stage, on a flyer by Jason Cooper. That spring and fall the room also hosted Death Metal Night (April 6, with Bloodchurn, Chains of Flesh, Dead for 10 Weeks and Murder Intentions), “Rockin' Meridian Underground” (June 8), the annual Halloween party and Death Metal Night II (December 6).

Source: Wayne Williams · Old MUM site photo archive

Raised in the store

Wayne and Stacey's kids, Rhigel, Dyson and Jayden, were homeschooled and grew up in the store, among the record bins, the stage and the people who came through the door.

Source: Wayne Williams

Cover story

Around MUM's ninth anniversary, MUM was the subject of The Meridian Star's first Backstage Pass cover story: “Meridian Underground shines light on local artists.”

Source: Meridian Star, 2006

The 10th anniversary blowout

A free outdoor show with Wretched Flamingo, Fight to Die, Recovery Period, Cases of June and Lazaras. Jason Cooper made the anniversary posters, sold as signed, numbered copies.

“I've seen so many bands come and go over the years… bands have played here from as far away as Los Angeles and New York.” Wayne Williams, 2006

“We just try to be a cool, locally owned store.” Wayne Williams, 2006

Source: Meridian Star, 2006 · Wayne Williams

Moving to 8th & 23rd

After 13 years on 22nd Avenue, MUM moved to 2220 8th Street, on the corner of 23rd Avenue across from the Temple Theater. The building had been the Hawaiian Delight, then the May King Chinese restaurant, then sat empty for nearly a decade. The Exchange reopened as Meridian Underground Music. Over the years it would grow into three connected buildings.

“It was meant to be. It was destiny because of the way it lined up.” Wayne Williams, to The Meridian Star

Source: Wayne Williams · Meridian Star, Oct 2015

Summer show season

The Winter Sounds played a Friday show in July. That same weekend: “Adam and Dax Riggs in front of MUM!” Dignan and The Yellow Team were booked for July 22, until the rain won that one. The shelves filled with “In MUM We Trust” buttons, tapestries and peace-sign necklaces.

Source: @mdnunderground on X · @mdnunderground on X · @mdnunderground on X

MUM T-shirts & the art contest

The MUM clothing line took off, and fans and local artists started designing MUM shirts in the MUM T-Shirt Art Contest.

Source: @mdnunderground on X · Wayne Williams

Meridian's underground mayor

The Meridian Star took to calling Wayne “Meridian's underground mayor.” That year MUM launched MUM-vue, monthly shows across the street at the Temple Theater; the first, on February 11, 2011, brought back '90s bands Sneaky Tree and Vapid Butchery.

Source: Wayne Williams

MUMVUE at the Temple Theater

MUMVUE 2 hit the Temple Theater on March 12, 2011, with Sibylic, Melian Dialogue, Quiet Hands, Frozen Ocean, The Splinter The Woods and Greenlights. MUMVUE 3 followed on April 9, with Bind Torture Kill, Necessary Slaughter and Vapid Butchery joined by Hourstruck on one version of the poster, and by Resurrection Man and Scabus on another.

Source: Jason Cooper's MUM posters · Wayne Williams

Dax Riggs Live at MUM

Dax Riggs, who first brought Deadboy & the Elephantmen to the back room in 2002, kept coming back: a free show on Sunday, September 18, 2011 that raised money for the MUM Mural Fund, then April 6, 2012 and June 6, 2013. Each one got its own Jason Cooper poster.

Source: Jason Cooper's MUM posters · Wayne Williams

The mural

After months of fundraising and city paperwork, the mural went up on the west wall facing 23rd Avenue. It was designed by Jason Cooper (Blackheart Studios) and painted by staff of Jason Davis Painting Co., including Paul Joyner. They projected Cooper's art onto the wall at night, outlined it, then painted “a very large, exact replica.” Locals simply call her “MUM.”

“I'm not going to tell you the exact cost but suffice it to say we couldn't afford doing this on our own. So to those who helped us with this, this mural is thanks to you and we all hope everyone in Meridian enjoys it.”

“Actually, we wanted to contribute to the Meridian Art District, especially since there is no art in it.” Wayne Williams, 2012

Source: Meridian Star, Aug 2012 · Wayne Williams

Seventeen years

“A whole generation of Meridian kids have passed through our doors and we're already seeing the next one grow with us. But we're thankful to all ages from Meridian and beyond who've made MUM their rock-and-roll sanctuary.”

MUM goes online

The website opened its first shop: a dozen MUM T-shirt designs and mural merch, from stickers and coasters to a lanyard and mouse pad.

Source: MUM site, 2014 snapshot

The MUM Community

Kids started hanging out at the store, so MUM made room for them: a free pool table, game consoles and board games, plus Pool Tournament Saturdays and Open Mic Thursdays.

Source: Wayne Williams

Two more buildings

Wayne bought the two buildings next door and knocked out 12 feet of brick to join all three into one store, with room for dozens of guitars and amps plus comics, trading cards and gaming.

“Meridian Underground Music has been around for 20 years and we're getting bigger.”

Source: Meridian Star, Sept 2015 · Meridian Star, Oct 2015 · Wayne Williams

The Holiday/Expansion Dedication Show

MUM christened the bigger store with a holiday show: Paul Wells, Caleb Martin, Kevin “Ace” Robinson and Chad Fuller, 6 to 9 PM.

Source: Jason Cooper's MUM posters

The Scott Ingram Room & the Bhron Jordan Room

Two rooms at MUM are named in memory of old friends. The Scott Ingram room holds records, comics and games, and has hosted tai chi, art workshops, poetry nights and rained-out sidewalk shows. Right beside it, the Bhron Jordan room is where the instruments and amps live.

Source: Wayne Williams

20 years

MUM celebrated its 20th on Saturday, March 5, 3 to 9 PM, with a party on two stages, live music, food and drinks, and the expansion that doubled the store.

“Wayne Williams has been an active part of downtown for 20 years.” Karen Rooney, Meridian Main Street

Source: Meridian Star, Mar 2016 · Wayne Williams

The 20th through 23rd Halloween Jams

The 20th annual Halloween Jam (October 29, 2016) crowned seven costume winners with more than $1,300 in gift certificates across three MUM buildings. The 21st (October 28, 2017) had five bands including MUM family Daze of Broken Fate, a food truck and $2,000 in prizes. The 22nd (October 27, 2018) was free, with music and kid-friendly activities, and the 23rd came on October 26, 2019.

Source: Wayne Williams · Meridian Star, 2018

MUM Studio 601

MUM's YouTube channel, MUM Studio 601, started recording local and touring acts at the store: Chad Fuller, Batty Pat, Daze of Broken Fate, The Ian Quiet Review, Daniel Houze and many more. Wayne shot video, Dyson edited (he still edits the open-mic videos), and Jonathan Parkison mixed. On August 26, a free sidewalk show with Batty Pat, Remnants of Hope and 20/59 rocked downtown.

“No one's going to boo you off the stage.” MCC student Jaywaun Johnson, on MUM's open mic

Source: Meridian Star, Nov 2017 · MUM Studio 601 · Wayne Williams

Aaron Smith & custom MUM guitars

Aaron Smith worked at MUM for about three years. He managed the store, booked bands and built custom guitars, like one he described as “more like an Iron Maiden rock-style guitar.” In January 2018, Hero Turned Hand Grenade showed off Matt Omiatek with his custom MUM guitar, and that year a MUM custom guitar went to hang in the MAX, the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience.

We lost Aaron in August 2021; a memorial show is planned for early 2027.

Source: Meridian Star, Nov 2017 · Wayne Williams

On the MUM stage

The 22nd anniversary show brought Big Easy, IDLE, Hero Turned Hand Grenade, Kamikaze Zombie, Voodoo Trees and The Hollow Roots, with DJs Kidd, Busy & Cheerio spinning all day. AM Wyselove, The Dirty Rain Revelers, Empty Atlas and Micah Smith all played MUM that year too.

Source: Wayne Williams · Meridian Star, Aug 2018 · Concert Archives

23 years & MUM Coffee

MUM turned 23, put up a new ceiling covered with twenty-plus years of show posters, and launched MUM Coffee: “MUM started a line of fresh roasted and ground coffee this week to start a new era.” Fuel for the misfits. Today it's MUM Custom Coffees.

Source: @mdnunderground on X · Wayne Williams

The first Battle of the Bands

Nine bands from Nashville, Natchez, Jackson and New Orleans competed for $850 in prizes at the Temple Theater, and the night raised $3,000 for Care Lodge, the domestic violence shelter. It started at noon in the Temple Theater Ballroom, sponsored by MUM & Magnolia Beverage Co.

“Care Lodge is an organization that's very near and dear to my heart.”

Source: WTOK · Wayne Williams

Tai chi, poster art & popcorn

Tai chi nights, a new Jason Cooper poster for the November 23 show, and fresh popcorn, coffee and free pool on a beautiful day downtown.

Source: @mdnunderground on X · @mdnunderground on X · @mdnunderground on X

Something for everybody

“Thursday is Singer/Songwriter/Open Mic night and if that's not your thing, maybe a game of Magic The Gathering or Yu-Gi-Oh will fill that need!”

Source: @mdnunderground on X

Holiday shows

Between the anniversary and Halloween, the MUM calendar filled up with holiday shows: a Valentine's Show (February 12, 2022), the Easter Show (April 16, 2022), Mother's Day shows (May 7, 2022 and May 11, 2024), an Independence Day celebration nearly every July (2018, 2019, 2021 and 2023) and a New Year's Bash (December 29, 2018). See them all in the Poster Archive.

Source: Jason Cooper's MUM posters

The 28th & 29th Halloween Jams

The 28th annual Halloween Jam (October 26, 2024) was a free show with Shattered Monsters, Junkie Cosmonaut, Mara Nagra and JD Spencer. The 29th landed on Halloween night itself, October 31, 2025.

Source: Jason Cooper's MUM posters

The Thanksgiving Show

Four bands, Cookie Wu, Fire Will Fall, Seeking Seven and Civil Strife, plus food, fun and games.

Source: @mdnunderground on X

29 years on the 29th

The 29th anniversary sidewalk show, with a food truck and a full bill of bands.

Source: Wayne Williams

Battle of the Beards 3

The 3rd annual Battle of the Beards filled the Temple Theater Ballroom, raising $1,248 for charity.

Source: Wayne Williams

MUM turns 30

Thirty years to the day after the Music Exchange opened with 230 CDs.

Source: Wayne Williams

#KeepRockAlive: the first Decker Jam at MUM

The first Decker Jam MUM has hosted: the Scott Decker Memorial Jam, a free sidewalk show out front with Amy Lott, Plastic Midnight, Chad Fuller, Cookie Wu, and Mike Brewer & Rick Durbin.

Source: Wayne Williams · MUM Instagram

The 30th Halloween Jam

Halloween at MUM goes back to the very beginning, and this one is the 30th annual: Chance Evins at 6, kids' and adults' costume contests at 7, Scott McQuaig at 7:30 and Capital City Pyros at 8:35. Free and all-ages. Details

A week at MUM

Free art classes on Tuesdays, open mic on Thursday and Friday nights, Game Day all day Saturday and D&D Sundays, plus free coffee, $1 pool and card and board games any day. Thirty years in, the reason is the same as 1996: a place for bands to play and something for everybody to do.