Downtown in Texarkana in Miller County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
Pat Cupp and The Flying Saucers
Legendary Rock Pioneers
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2025
1. Pat Cupp and The Flying Saucers Marker
By 1956, Pat Cupp and The Flying Saucers, Ruth Cupp, Johnny Gatlin, Pete Waller & J.O. Livesly, had appeared many times with Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and others. Unhappy with record producers, Pat entered the Air Force in 1957. Today he is revered in Europe and Asia and enshrined in the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
Erected 2017.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1956.
Location. 33° 25.452′ N, 94° 2.36′ W. Marker is in Texarkana, Arkansas, in Miller County. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of East 3rd Street and Hazel Street, on the right when traveling east on East 3rd Street. The marker is embedded in the walkway at Arkansas Municipal Auditorium Walk of Fame Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 416 East 3rd Street, Texarkana AR 71854, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Arkansas’ Gulf Coastal Plain. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Piney Woods. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Jake Charles Jay Franks (a few steps from this marker); Elvis Presley Performs at the Arkansas Municipal Auditorium (a few steps from this marker); Arkansas Municipal Auditorium Walk of Fame Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Johnny Cash Performs at the Arkansas Municipal Auditorium
this page online
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Arkansas Municipal Auditorium Walk of Fame Park
Also see . . . Pat Cupp (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: Cupp was born into a musical family in Nashville, Arkansas. His father was a drummer and ukulele player, while his mother played piano, and his siblings also sang. At age five, Cupp began to perform in the family band, accompanying them on guitar or the banjo. In 1953, Cupp and his family moved to Texarkana where he enrolled at Arkansas High School and teamed up with Elvis Presley-sound-alike Cheesie Nelson to form a locally popular country duo. During this time, the duo was enlisted by a promoter to perform in replacement for Presley until he managed to arrive for the remainder of the show. Following(Submitted on October 19, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)their performance, Cupp walked backstage, meeting Elvis, and became enamored of rockabilly music. Cupp worked as a solo act, but also toured alongside Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash. Afterwards, Cupp formed a more permanent backing band known as Pat Cupp and the Flying Saucers, which included his mother Ruth (piano), J.O. Livsey (drums), Pete Waller (bass guitar), and Johnny Gatlin (lead guitar). In April 1956 Cupp was signed to a recording contract with RPM Records after an appearance on the Louisiana-based television program Louisiana Hayride.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 20252. Pat Cupp and The Flying Saucers MarkerThe marker is embedded in the walkway, in front of the bench, at the northeast corner of Walk of Fame Park
Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 46 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 19, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
