230 Carl Perkins Parkway
Tiptonville, Tennessee
731-253-8144

Carl Lee Perkins (1932 - 1998) was an American rockabilly musician who recorded most notably at Sun Records Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, beginning during 1954. His best known song is "Blue Suede Shoes." Called "the King of Rockabilly," he was inducted into the Rock and Roll, the Rockabilly, and the Nashville Songwriters Halls of Fame. Perkins was also a Grammy Hall of Fame Award recipient. Perkins was the son of poor sharecroppers, Buck and Louise Perkins, and lived his early life in Lake County Tennessee near the town of Tiptonville.

In 2004 Tiptonville received a nearly half million dollar grant from the grant from the Tennessee Transportation and Tourism Commissions to build a visitor center and a 2.5-mile trail commemorating Perkins. The visitors center is located in a refurbished caboose that also serves as the office of the Tiptonville-Reelfoot Area Chamber of Commerce. The visitor center includes pictures of Carl, his friends, and family. A jukebox with most of his recordings and other artists from the era is located inside. Information about the Lake County, Reelfoot Lake, and Tiptonville area is available in the visitor’s center.

Next door is the boyhood home of Perkins which has been moved to its present location but is not accessible as it is currently being repaired. A 2.5-mile walking and bicycling trail from Highway 78 to Tiptonville's riverfront park overlooking the Mississippi River is near the Carl Perkins Visitor Center. This recreational trail has decorative lighting, landscaping, and benches.

Visiting the Carl Perkins Visitors Center
Monday - Friday: 8 am - 4 pm
There is no charge to visit the Carl Perkins Visitors Center.