If you've ever been a fan of Elvis Presley, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, or Hank Williams, you won't want to miss Sparkle and Twang: Marty Stuart's American Musical Odyssey, a traveling country music memorabilia exhibit that's on its way to Meridian.

Though it centers around country music, it's not just for country fans -- the exhibit may also be of interest to pop culture enthusiasts, fans of fashion and costume design, or anyone interested in the evolution of American music and culture.

The exhibit is composed of the private collection of Grammy-winning country musician and Philadelphia native Marty Stuart. A preview of the exhibit was shown Wednesday at the Peavey Electronics headquarters in Meridian.

According to the Web site visitmississippi.org, "the exhibit represents more than 40 years of the classic greats behind country, bluegrass, rock, and southern gospel and includes costumes, instruments, lyrics, and other outstanding pieces."

Among those outstanding pieces are Hank Williams' hand-written lyrics to "Your Cheatin' Heart", Johnny Cash's "man in black" suit, Patsy Cline's make-up case, and Elvis Presley's sweater.

The exhibit will open at downtown Meridian's MSU Riley Center on July 10, and opening day will include a presentation by Manuel, a well-known costume designer from Nashville.

The presentation will be held at 2 p.m. in the grand lobby of the MSU Riley Center. Entertainment, food and drink will be available across the street at Dumont Plaza from noon to 4 p.m. The MSU Riley Center will also provide tours of their historic 1890 Grand Opera House theater at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

The exhibit will remain in Meridian through September 18. It will be open Tuesday - Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m, and will be closed Sundays, Mondays, and Labor Day.

Admission is $10 per adult, $5 for students K-College. Group discounts are available.

The exhibit's stop in Meridian is made possible by Stuart and the Jimmie Rodgers Foundation, who will also bring a hit country act to the MSU Riley Center theater.

On July 25, the Riley Center will host a performance by Stuart and country legend Merle Haggard in honor of Jimmie Rodgers, a Meridian native credited as the father of country music. Tickets are available from the MSU Riley Center box office or from www.msurileycenter.com.

By Jennifer Jacob Brown