Offbeat Magazine’s 2012 “Best Emerging Artist” Matthew Davidson will headline a night of fresh, young musical talent from across the region Friday, as The Sucarnochee Revue presents Little Big Stars. The concert is the third of six monthly shows to be recorded live at Meridian’s historic Temple Theatre.

    Sharing the stage with the young guitar phenom from Shreveport, La., will be Joseph Whitaker, Anna Tamburello, Mary Mac White, Jessica Strenth, Jackson Capps, Dylan Ray Boyd and local group Back Pocket featuring radio icon Ken Rainey’s granddaughter, Jordan.

    “We have kids coming from Meridian, Nashville, Birmingham, and all kinds of places,” said Revue Host and Producer Jacky Jack White. This is a chance to see some youngsters with very bright futures having huge fun.”

    Fifteen-year-old Davidson began performing professionally in 2010 and since then “has achieved an immense amount of recognition, support and admiration,” according to International Musician magazine. With musical influences as diverse as The Beatles, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Maroon 5 and John Mayer, Davidson is a guitarist, vocalist and songwriter performing rock, blues and pop with equal command. Davidson released his debut EP, “Step Up” in 2012, which was produced by legendary rock bassist Joe Osborne.

    Keeping the Black Belt tradition on stage will be Sucarnochee regulars Mississippi Chris Sharp and Piper Lauderdale, along with Britt Gully and J. Burton Fulller.

    White credits Chris Sharp from Porterville for his technical expertise in the recording and post-production of the show, and his excellent performance and songwriting skills as a regular act.

    “We simply would not have a Sucarnochee Revue without Chris. He is my sounding board when we run into problems. Plus, he has a large and loyal following as an artist.” Sharp and his daughter Piper Lauderdale have been featured in folk festivals around the country as far away as California. Recently, Silverwolf Records released “RED BUGS,” which is Sharp’s third CD on the label.

    Britt Gully from Cow Creek is “one of the best songwriters and guitarists anywhere,” according to White. Britt’s new CD “Jimmie Rodgers Guitar” is already being considered an historic event. The Jimmie Rodgers Foundation, with producer Allen Delk, utilized the most prized guitar in the world for Gully to play on this new CD featuring Rodgers’ songs and two originals from Gully. “Britt comes from good stock. He had a mighty good momma and daddy. I know they would be so very proud of his current accomplishments,” White said. Gully was featured in New York’s Central Park in June for the “Mississippi in the Park” concert.

    J. Burton Fuller from Emelle, Ala., has played guitar in this area since the 1950s, first distinguishing himself as an early television star with Danny and the Dudes. “J. Burton can do anything. He makes his own guitars, wood sculptures … you name it. He is a pure singer and has near perfect timing on rhythm guitar. Plus, he’s as loyal as a collie dog,” White said.

    The Sucarnochee Revue returns to The Temple Theatre the first Friday of each month through November. Following Little Big Stars  will be Be Bop a Lula … Rockin’ the Revue on Sept. 6; Retro Country Classics on Oct. 4; and Camp Meeting Revue – Peace in the Valley on Nov. 1. All shows start at 7 p.m.

    The Sucarnochee Revue has helped spread the original, traditional music of the Twin States’ folk culture and soil-rich Black Belt Region – a heritage that boasts legends like Elvis Presley, Hank Williams and bluesman Willie King – literally around the world.

    Featuring musicians from the country, bluegrass, Southern gospel, rock ‘n’ roll and blues genres, The Revue is a two-hour show recorded live at Meridian’s Temple Theatre and at The University of West Alabama’s Bibb Graves Auditorium in Livingston, Ala. Young artists such as American Idol’s Skylar Laine, as well as award-winning songwriters like Wood Newton and Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Famer Spooner Oldham, have graced the Sucarnochee stage.

    The Revue’s weekly one-hour radio show has aired over 59 stations across the country and worldwide on Internet Radio. The Revue has also been syndicated in 10 states and in Australia and has been broadcast on Alabama and Mississippi Public Television and Radio and locally on WMOX-AM on Saturday afternoons. The Revue has aired on two Fox affiliates and one ABC affiliate and is in the process of becoming a 30-minute syndicated television series.

    White, a Silverwolf and South City recording artist, is from Livingston, Ala., and has had songs on the charts as a singer/songwriter since 1985. Artists who have recorded his songs include Ray Stevens, Charley Pride, Buddy Jewell, Steve Wariner, Neal McCoy and Mark Lowery. White received an ASCAP Award for “If I Didn’t Love You” and an NSAI Award for the number one Southern Gospel song, “When Men Pray.” More than 100 of his songs have been recorded.

    The Sucarnochee Revue is sponsored in Alabama by UWA’s Center for the Study of the Black Belt and the Sumter County Fine Arts Council. Alabama show dates are Sept. 20, Oct. 25, Dec. 20, March 14 and April 19. All shows are open to the public with $10 admission at the door.