Calling all mothers (and escorts).

Come to the totally awesome Temple Theatre for the Performing Arts, which is a Meridian treasure. Come on Sunday afternoon. There’s nothing sweeter than a seat in the theatre on a Sunday afternoon, especially on Mother’s Day.

So, what’s going-on?

What: Sucarnochee Revue

Where: Temple Theatre, 2320 Eighth Street in downtown Meridian

$10 Per ticket

What to expect: Mother’s Day music. There will be a special segment of the show that tributes the classic country songs of the 1950s and music from the inaugural Jimmie Rodgers Festival.

Are you ready for a trip downtown when Hank Snow and Patsy Cline might walk the streets, or even Elvis? It was the heyday of Country Music and Meridian held supreme as the birthplace. Not only the birth of a singing legend but a time when the greats were perfecting their craft. Can you imagine when a performer said these words.“It’s the first time I’ve sung this tune for an audience?”

I witnessed such an occasion when Alan Jackson performed at the Temple. Yes, I was seated in the theatre when a bright and young new country star took the stage. Alan, even then, was a rising country music star. I think part of the reason he immediately gained success was Alan could bring the crowd into his songs. We felt the pain, and the love he sang about.

Could this like-thing happen on Sunday afternoon at the Mother’s Day Matinee? Absolutely!

I must mention one of my favorites who will be on the program. That’s Britt Gully. If anyone is on the cusp of country music royalty, it would be Britt. I have known him and his sweetheart wife, Kim, for many years. Congratulations to Britt for recently bringing the song, “Let It all Hank Out,’’ which moved up recently to number 35 on the Cashbox Magazine Chart. I can’t wait to hear it and see Britt’s performance.

Also on the program is a Meridian favorite, Mississippi Chris Sharp and Piper. Talk about a country duo who stays true to their genre, that is these two highly-motivated performers.

Also on stage is 2ND Mile (a talented Meridian gospel group,) as well as Aiden Williamson and Tyler Carroll. You may have heard Aiden, a young talent with excellent guitar skills, recently at The MAX. He is well on his way, and Tyler Carroll, with a pure BlueGrass voice which echoes his ancestors.

When we, in East Central Mississippi, really stop and think, we who are native or have relatives who were, yes, we all echo the rich heritage of Country Music. I remember my great grandpa who played the fiddler in barns on Saturday nights and my great grandmother who talked about her dancing slippers. “I would wear-out a pair of slippers in one night.” It is appropriate to hear the sounds of that time through the voices of today. And you have a grand opportunity for this type of entertainment on Sunday afternoon, beginning at 2 p.m. at The Temple Theatre of Performing Arts.

And there could be a few surprise performers on hand.

But wait a minute, there is no surprise when Mr. Jacky Jack White welcomes everyone on Sunday afternoon. Jacky Jack is the founder of Sucarnochee Revue and a true veteran of country music and gospel as well as a present-day performer and promoter. Not only a performer but a long time Church of Christ minister.

I noticed in his bio, the minister part comes before the award winning singer/songwriter mention and that is as it should be.

Let me tell you my “Jacky Jack experiences,” just a tad, because there are many but I must mention our first meeting in Oxford at the University. We were both there for a Mississippi Arts Commission school. A tall, lanky guy wearing a cowboy hat and carrying a guitar strapped to his back stepped lively into the opening session. I must say he knows how to make an entrance. Then he was in my first class and I realized this guy is talented, too.

And then we met frequently through the years around the various venues, with his songs and my storytelling. But it was last September when he stopped and prayed with me, as I walked downtown. Yes, we were right there, standing on the sidewalk at Eighth Street and 22nd Avenue, when we reached out to the Lord.

You see I was experiencing great heartache and without a word, he reached for my hand and prayed for me and my family, which was so needed and so unforgettable.

This is the man, Jacky Jack White. You will see him shine on stage as well as a singer/songwriter. He has charted songs personally, and on his label as well, JackyJack.com, Sucarnochee Revue and Record Co.

And one more thing, Jacky Jack, please sing one for me.