Rural elementary general music education has not been a well-researched topic even though rural schools account for the education of nearly a fifth of public school students in the United States. The purpose of this study was to examine the attitudes of rural public elementary school principals in Alabama and Mississippi toward elementary general music education. Additionally, the study examined any relationships between principal attitudes and personal music experience, principal attitudes and music experience at the secondary and post-secondary levels, and principal attitudes and the music program at their school. Results of an electronic survey (n = 42) revealed that there is a significant relationship between principal attitudes and music experience at the secondary and post-secondary levels. Of participating schools, only 39% offered music instruction from a certified music teacher. According to school principals, impediments to their schools offering an elementary music program included budget, staffing, and time in the school schedule which was impacted by state policies regarding time spent on tested subjects. Keywords: rural education, elementary general music education, principal attitudes