This week’s celebration of Mississippi’s 50-year Grammy Award legacy gets a visual boost today. Portraits of the entertainers who’ll perform at the Thursday gala will line the fence in front of the Governor’s Mansion. The portraits are scheduled to be installed this morning.

Portraits of Jerry Lee Lewis, The Williams Brothers, Marty Stuart and the North Mississippi Allstars, all Mississippi natives or longtime residents of the state, and Swedish pop star Carola, will be featured on the fence. Carola has enjoyed international success with songs associated with Elvis Presley.

Portraits of Sam Cooke, Jimmy Buffett, Charley Pride and Faith Hill, all Grammy-winning artists with Mississippi ties, also will be installed on the fence lining Capitol Street.

Thursday’s star-studded gala in the Marriott Hotel Ballroom in Jackson will be preceded by a 5:30 p.m. Governor’s Mansion reception. Performances start at 7:30 p.m. Up-and-coming Mississippi artists also will perform.

Sponsored by Peavey Electronics and the Mississippi Development Authority, the event will take place at the Marriott Hotel Ballroom in downtown Jackson. The event, part of the state’s celebration of Mississippi as the birthplace of America’s music, is hosted by Gov. Haley Barbour.

The diversity of music — pop, country, gospel, blues and rock’n’roll — reflect the wide reach of the musical styles the state has spawned.

The Thursday event offers a salute to Grammy Award winners and nominees from the state. It’ll also include Peavey Awards to past Grammy winners and nominees from Mississippi.

Proceeds will benefit the Mississippi Blues Foundation whose Blues Trail project places interpretive markers at notable historical sites related to the history and growth of the blues throughout the state.

By Sherry Lucas