The All America City held events Friday recognizing what would have been Elvis Presley's 75th birthday, and a country music artist with a Mississippi connection was a part of that celebration.

Marty Stuart entered the Tupelo Convention and Visitors Bureau to a crowd on hand for something unique - an exhibit featuring one his stage outfits and one from the king of rock 'n roll.

Stuart shared with the audience how someone from Neshoba County got inspiration from Tupelo's native son.

"He gave me hope that I could get out and do something with my dreams," said Stuart. "And to this very day, he's still the man that we all defer to. He's the cat."

From the CVB, Stuart headed to the Tupelo Automobile Museum to sign his book Country Music: The Masters and to be there with his Sparkle and Twang exhibit, which officially opened to the public.

That exhibit features more than 40 years of music memorabilia he has collected.

His appreciation for the past includes an appreciation for Elvis Presley and for Tupelo.

"The whole world is recognizing Elvis today, but it started here. And to me, the essence of all the great things to come out of Mississippi musically is represented today in Tupelo."

Stuart's third event in the city was an evening concert at the Link Centre.

By Craig Ford