OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. (WLOX) — An exhibit opening Thursday marks the 70th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s visit to the Mississippi Gulf Coast during a pivotal time in his career.
The Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area will host an opening reception at 5:30 p.m. at the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Arts Center in Ocean Springs.
“A lot of people don’t know that Elvis spent so much time here in the summer of ’56 and such a pivotal time in his career,” said Chelsea Norton Prince, outreach coordinator for the Mississippi Gulf Coast National Heritage Area.
ALSO READ: Biloxi woman: I had the privilege of performing with Elvis
At the reception, Martha “Ann Raye” Ebberman, 87, will speak about her memories of performing on the same stage as Presley. Her father, Frank “Yankie” Barhanovich, was a promoter who brought a young Elvis to Biloxi.
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Ebberman will discuss her career as a hillbilly music star and her father’s work as a booking agent.
“We’re really lucky to still have her and to hear her stories,” said Prince.
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The opening reception will also feature a screening of the 45-minute documentary, Elvis: Summer of ’56, featuring early footage of Presley deep-sea fishing and water skiing on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Presley first performed on the Coast in 1955 and returned in 1956 as his career began to take off. He was on the Coast when “Hound Dog” was released.
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The exhibit will remain open at the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Arts Center throughout the summer.
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