James Dupré and Jacob Tolliver to Appear For Opening of The Killer, The Preacher and The Cowboy Exhibit on Jan. 21 at GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi

CLEVELAND, Miss. (Dec, 2025) – James Dupré and Jacob Tolliver will appear at GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi on Wednesday, Jan. 21, for a special program to mark the opening of The Killer, The Preacher and the Cowboy: The Legacies of Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggart and Mickey Gilley. Dupré is a Louisiana-born singer who was named a Country Artist You Need to Know by Rolling Stone and is currently the lead vocalist on the Randy Travis’ More Life Tour. Tolliver is a Nashville-based singer/songwriter and pianist who opened on tour for Jerry Lee Lewis from 2017 to 2019 and portrayed the icon in Million Dollar Quartet in Las Vegas early in his career.

The program will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will feature a Q&A with Dupré and Tolliver, followed by a special performance. Prior to the program, a reception will be held starting at 6:00 p.m. This event is made possible by sponsors Sun Records and Visit Mississippi. A limited number of tickets are available and will go on sale exclusively to members on Monday, December 22. Tickets are $50 and may be purchased in person at the box office or by visiting grammymuseumms.org.

The Museum’s groundbreaking new exhibit, which officially opens to the public the following day on Thursday, Jan. 22, spotlights three entertainment icons (who also happened to be cousins) from Ferriday, Louisiana and Natchez, Mississippi: Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggart and Mickey Gilley. Nicknamed “The Killer,” GRAMMY® winner Jerry Lee Lewis redefined rock and roll with his electrifying piano style, fiery performances and fearless personality. One of the most influential televangelists of the 20th century, GRAMMY® nominee Jimmy Swaggart built a global broadcasting ministry and reshaped modern religious media. Mickey Gilley, a GRAMMY®-winning, chart-topping country singer and nightclub owner, became synonymous with honky-tonk hits and Gilley’s Club — the Texas hotspot that helped spark the urban cowboy craze.

“Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggart and Mickey Gilley each carved out their own distinct place in American culture, whether through music, entertainment or ministry,” said Emily Havens, Executive Director of GRAMMY Museum Mississippi. “GRAMMY Museum Mississippi is proud to bring to light the stories of these three remarkable cousins from Ferriday and Natchez. Though all three of these legends have since passed on, they continue to have a lasting impact on generations of fans and followers.”

“We are thrilled to celebrate the opening of our new exhibit with an exciting program featuring talented rising stars James Dupré and Jacob Tolliver,” said Emily Havens, Executive Director of GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi. “With Dupré’s deep roots in Louisiana and Tolliver’s time on tour with the great Jerry Lee Lewis, it’s sure to be a memorable evening of music and conversation.”

The Killer, The Preacher and the Cowboy exhibit will be on display at GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi through 2026. The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. The Museum is closed on Mondays.

About James Dupré

James Dupré was born and raised in Bayou Chicot, Louisiana. Originally an aspiring meteorologist turned paramedic, Dupré became a YouTube sensation in 2007, leading to an invitation to perform on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” Dupré then released his debut album, It’s All Happening in 2010, gaining a spot on the Billboard music charts and leading to a record deal with Warner Music Nashville. Dupré began performing and touring full-time and appeared on season 9 of NBC’s “The Voice” with a four-chair turn, landing him a spot on Adam Levine’s team. Following his departure from “The Voice,” he released his 2016 sophomore album Stoned to Death, yielding two singles on the Billboard Indicator chart. He earned his first acting role in the 2015 country drama film The Price, playing the son of a country singer portrayed by legendary musician, Randy Travis.

In 2019, Dupré was handpicked by Travis and his wife, Mary, as the special guest vocalist for the More Life Tour. Along with Travis’ original band, Dupré performed the Country Music Hall of Famer’s biggest hits, and is currently on tour with the band again for new dates across the U.S. In 2024, Dupré was featured on “CBS News Sunday Morning” as the first ever “vocal bed” on the commercially released track, “Where That Came From.” This was the first new song released by Randy Travis in over a decade and was produced with the help of artificial intelligence to reimagine Travis’ legendary vocals on new music.

Dupré released his latest studio album, It’s All Happening, in August 2025. For more information, visit www.jamesdupre.com.

About Jacob Tolliver

Jacob Tolliver is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist known for his energetic performances and genre-blending musical style. Hailing from Portsmouth, Ohio, Tolliver’s early mastery of the piano and love for classic rock and roll shaped his artistic identity. Tolliver first gained widespread recognition in the Las Vegas production of Million Dollar Quartet, where his high-octane piano skills and dynamic stage presence made him a standout. Following this success, he had the rare opportunity to open on the road for Jerry Lee Lewis, further honing his craft and deepening his connection to the roots of rock and roll. Now, Tolliver is moving in an exciting new direction, focusing on his original music. His upcoming work blends the raw energy of rock with contemporary influences, creating a sound that is both nostalgic and forward-thinking. Tolliver’s genre-meshing style incorporates elements of pop, country, and blues, pushing the boundaries of traditional rock. As he continues to evolve as an artist, Tolliver is set to make a significant impact with his fresh take on classic sounds, carving out a unique place in the modern music scene. Keep up with his antics at jacobtolliver.com.

About GRAMMY Museum Mississippi

Developed by the Cleveland Music Foundation—a nonprofit organization founded in 2011—the 28,000-square-foot GRAMMY Museum Mississippi is housed near the campus of Delta State University, home of the Delta Music Institute's Entertainment Industry Studies program, which features the most unique audio recording facilities in the South. Affiliated with the GRAMMY Museum Foundation™, GRAMMY Museum Mississippi is dedicated to exploring the past, present, and future of music, and the cultural context from which it emerges, while casting a focused spotlight on the deep musical roots of Mississippi. The Museum features a dynamic combination of public events, educational programming, engaging multimedia presentations, and interactive permanent and traveling exhibits, including a Mississippi-centric area that introduces visitors to the impact of Mississippi's songwriters, producers, and musicians on the traditional and modern music landscape. For more information, visit grammymuseumms.org.