Meridian native, Snowden Wright, will discuss his latest book, “The Queen City Detective Agency,” on Feb. 1 when he appears live on The Thacker Mountain Radio Hour.

The radio show, a longtime staple of Saturday nights on Mississippi Public Broadcasting, will bring its mixture of literature and music to the historic Ellis Theater in Philadelphia.

The performance is set for 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Wright’s “The Queen City Detective Agency” takes its title from Meridian’s nickname and is a rollicking crime novel set in 1980s Meridian.

The Netflix-ready cast of characters includes a female private investigator, Clementine Baldwin. All become enmeshed in a Dixie Mafia-style criminal conspiracy that will keep readers guessing and turning pages.

In its review of Wright’s novel, “The Wall Street Journal” said, “A picaresque saga stuffed with colorful characters, bursts of violence, droll banter and many twists.”

Wright lives in Yazoo County, Mississippi.

Along with Wright, guests on the show will include 14-year-old country music prodigy Wyatt Ellis and rhythm and blues powerhouse Vasti Jackson.

Hosts of the show are Jim Dees with Paul Tate and house band, the Yalobushwhackers.

Ellis, who has drawn comparisons to Marty Stuart and Billy Strings, will perform a full set with his band at 8:30 p.m. following the radio show taping.

The Feb. 1 show will mark a return to the Ellis Theater for Wyatt Ellis who performed alongside Marty Stuart at the grand re-opening of the renovated theater in December 2022. In February 2023, the then 13-year old Ellis made his Grand Ole Opry debut to a standing ovation.

Ellis’s latest release is a limited-edition 45 RPM vinyl in which he collaborates with bluegrass legend Peter Rowan on Rowan’s song, “Winds of Rowan County.”

Ellis’ album, “Happy Valley,” includes his No. 1 hit single, “Grassy Cove.”

Grammy nominee, Vasti Jackson, is a world-renowned guitarist, vocalist, composer, producer, actor and musical director with more than 40 years in the music industry.

His latest album is “Royal American Blues,” released last year.

Jackson’s (one of two) Grammy nominations came in 2016 in the Best Traditional Blues category for his album, “The Soul of Jimmie Rodgers.” Jackson also served as co-producer on Bobby Rush’s 2001 Grammy-nominated album, “Hoochie Man.”

The versatile Jackson recently toured Europe portraying Ike Tuner in the stage presentation, “Simply the Best: The Tina Turner Story.” As a solo performer, he is a staple of European theaters and festivals.

Tickets are $25 and $50 and are available through Ticketmaster.

The show will not be broadcast live but will be recorded for air this spring.

The Thacker Mountain Radio Hour received a 2005 Mississippi Governor’s Award for Broadcast Excellence. In 2017, the show was awarded a “Citation of Merit” from the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters.

Celebrating 28 years on the air, The Thacker Mountain Radio Hour can be heard in Meridian every Saturday at 7 p.m. on WMAW 88.1 FM.