Elvis Presley image used by permission, Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.

Elvis Presley, George Jones, June Carter Cash and Sheldon Kurland — a key musician in the growth of Nashville’s music industry — are all receiving recognition for their legacies in ways that range from sad to historical to simply amusing.

Elvis and June are being commemorated by public institutions, Sheldon is being remembered by friends after his death this week, and one of the Possum’s most infamous moments was documented in a piece of art by a fellow musician.

The news on these four landmark figures:

• Elvis is being celebrated in four different public exhibits. Sparkle & Twang: Marty Stuart’s American Musical Odyssey opens in the King’s birthplace, Tupelo, Miss., on Friday, the 75th anniversary of Elvis’ birth. One of the King’s jumpsuits is on display in the city, according to The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, along with memorabilia honoring Johnny Cash, Hank Williams and Porter Wagoner. Elvis At 21: Photographs By Alfred Wertheimer opens Friday at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles. One Life: Echoes Of Elvis opens Friday at the National Portray Gallery in Washington, D.C., the Associated Press reports. That exhibit focuses on the impact of Elvis’ image after his 1977 death. In addition, the Newseum in Washington, D.C., plans to showcase Elvis! beginning March 12.

• June Carter Cash will be honored with a highway marker in Scott County, Va., according to TV station WHSV of Harrisonburg, Va.

• Sheldon Kurland died Wednesday at his home in Nashville, The Tennessean reported. He started working as a session violinist in the 1960s and ultimately formed the Shelly Kurland Strings, a small section of string players who contributed to hundreds of hits in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Among the classics that had his stamp: Charlie Rich’s “The Most Beautiful Girl,” Elvis’ “Moody Blue,” Crystal Gayle’s “Half The Way,” Kenny Rogers’ “Love The World Away,” John Conlee’s “Rose Colored Glasses,” Lynn Anderson’s “Rose Garden” and Jimmy Buffett’s “Come Monday.” Sheldon’s daughter, Amy Kurland, founded the Music City songwriter venue The Bluebird Café.

• During his alcoholic years, George Jones once used a lawn mower to drive several miles for liquor when Tammy Wynette had taken away the keys. The moment was laughingly immortalized in the lyrics and video of Vince Gill’s “One More Last Chance.” On Christmas Day, Ronnie McDowell presented the Possum a painting that relives the moment, according to the Columbia Daily Herald. The artwork was commissioned by George’s wife, Nancy Jones.

Click here to see the painting in our Photos of the Week section!

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