The idea of celebrating deceased and notable Meridian-area musicians came to Marty McCann in early February as he sorted through boxes of old photographs, looking for images of his late wife Rita and other close associates.

 

McCann, 78, a former globe-trotting sound engineer for Peavey Electronics, came across image after image of musicians who made a name for themselves – in various music genres – in local venues and beyond.

 

“When I had all these pictures put aside, I said, ‘Wow, something should be done to honor these,’” he said. “Today’s (area) musicians stand on the shoulders of these people.”

 

The result is a robust show, “Meridian Musicians Memorial,” at the history-rich Temple Theater, beginning 6:30 p.m. Sunday (doors open at 6 p.m.), featuring such acts as Britt Gully and the Water Moccasins, Grayson Culpepper, The Scott McQuaig Band, and Fuzzy Jones. McCann also promises cash give-aways and other “surprises.” Expected to run about three hours – with an intermission and a food truck parked outside – the show comes with an admission charge of $15 or $25 for two.

 

Songs from the careers of honored musicians, as well as other pieces will be performed, and longtime live music advocate Al Brown is serving as master of ceremonies. Proceeds from admission and sponsorships by local businesses will help support the nonprofit Temple, which faces a daunting financial struggle.

 

As show producer, McCann dubbed this event “a celebration of the lives of area musicians who are now playing in that great gig in the sky.” The list of honorees, whose names will be highlighted as a backdrop to the live music, is long – topping 80 and still expanding this week. It services as a powerful reinforcement, as if one were needed, to Meridian’s reputation as a breeding ground for musicians and songwriters. This unique cultural oasis story is never-ending.

 

At or near the top of McCann’s list can be found, predictably, the “father of country music” Jimmie Rodgers, David Ruffin of Temptations fame, Paul Davis (“I Go Crazy”), George Cummings from Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show, Chris Ethridge from The Flying Burrito Brothers, and Dudley Tardo, associated with The House Rockers. Further down the list, one finds J.B. “Mutt” Peavey, Hartley Peavey’s father and founder of the downtown Peavey Melody Music store, who is well remembered by Mississippi State sports fans as composer of their fight song. And there are many other notables, including Styx Shadwick, Bob Holcomb, Andy Nobels, Jeff Holland and Patrice Moncell.

 

Brown is especially pleased to see fresh attention drawn to Holland, accomplished and devoted to friends, noting, “He’s a great musician, a great writer and a great performer, but he was a greater guy.”

 

Drawing good support from working musicians and stage technicians, the Temple show no doubt would have pleased McCann’s wife, a retired nurse and live music enthusiast who passed away 18 months ago. And McCann has a sense that lots of honored musicians will be listening Sunday.

 

“I believe in some way, the good Lord will be getting them together,” he said. “They’ll be tapping their spiritual foot along with the music.”