The southern tradition continues in Tullahoma as the 47th iteration of Peggy Burton’s South Jackson Goes Country show returns at the South Jackson Performing Arts Center (SJPAC) this weekend.

The country variety show will kick off on Friday, Aug. 7, and run through Sunday, Aug. 9. Showtime for the Friday and Saturday shows will be at 7 p.m., and for the Sunday show at 2 p.m. The warm-up show will take place 30 minutes before the main show on all three days.

Peggy Burton’s South Jackson Goes Country is presented by South Jackson Performing Arts Center and will feature three unique shows for each day, with a rotating cast of singers and dancers that will provide entertainment for the whole family, as well as on-stage ads from local businesses that give the show its distinct identity of “always classic, always funny.”

“Peggy Burton’s South Jackson Goes Country is much more than a show. For 47 years, it has been the longest-running event in the history of South Jackson Performing Arts Center and one of the cornerstones that helped build our organization,” Greg Gressel, SJPAC Executive Director, said. “In those early years, this production was a vital fundraiser that helped keep our doors open and establish the foundation we continue to build on today. Beyond its impact on South Jackson, Goes Country has showcased incredible musical talent and provided a stage for artists who have gone on to national success, including Dustin Lynch and HunterGirl. Its legacy is one of outstanding entertainment, community tradition, and a lasting contribution to the arts in our region.”

Amy Beckstead, who will be directing the show this year, said Peggy Burton came up with the variety show as a way to help fund and save the building at the time.

“We’ve been going strong for 47 years,” Beckstead said.

For Beckstead, this will be her second time sitting in the director’s chair for Peggy Burton’s South Jackson Goes Country, having served as director last year. She said the first time directing was overwhelming, but this time around she’s gotten into a groove, thanks to the help of the crew.

“I got great people on my production team, and so it’s running smooth this time,” she said.

A member of the team, Ashley Owens, helped Beckstead by taking the lead in the creative writing for the show and directing the commercials. Beckstead said this change and delegating responsibilities has helped this year over last year as director, as well as surrounding herself with good team members.

“There’s just so many moving parts to the technical parts, the live music, performers, the commercial cast, and it’s just a lot of moving parts,” Beckstead said. “It’s a very short rehearsal schedule, so we put this together in about six weeks.”

Before taking the helm, Beckstead and her family had been performing in the show for 20 years. So, when the South Jackson Board came to her and asked her to take over the show, Beckstead said the show was ingrained in her family and was happy to take the reins.

“This is something we did together as a family,” Beckstead said. “My kids have grown up doing South Jackson Goes Country.”

For those not familiar with Peggy Burton’s South Jackson Goes Country, Beckstead said the show encapsulated the Grand Ole Opry, the tradition of country music and “Hee Haw” with comedy and fun. Beckstead added this year’s show will feature classic country hits from the 1980s and 1990s.

“A lot of us that are in the leadership, that’s the era that we grew up in listening to was the ‘80s/90s classic country,” she said. “There’s going to be a lot of that throughout the show.”

Along with the creative skits featuring the sponsors of the show, Beckstead said a standout for this year’s show will be a return of the patriotic song “America Lives in Me,” which was written and performed by Rob Austell back in 2002, and will be performed by band leader Connor Austell, Rob’s son.

“It’s kind of come full circle now,” Beckstead said. “He’s playing the song that his father wrote some years ago.”

As for tickets, there will be tiered seating options for the three-day country variety show. Ticket options include $30 for center floor/orchestra area, $25 for the side seats and $20 for the balcony seats in advance. There are also discounted tickets for SJ members, seniors and veterans available. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting southjacksonperfor mingartscenter.thundertix.com or by calling the box office at 931455-5321.