Whether you’re one of the many Gulf Shores’ residents anxiously awaiting the return of the city’s ever popular entertainment series, or one of the many music lovers throughout the Gulf Coast who return to the city year after year for its various concerts and productions, the start of the Gulf Shores’ 2012 entertainment series is going to be met by many with anticipation. For the uninitiated, it would be wise to head over and join them for this unique series, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Held every January, February, and March, the series boasts an impressive lineup that includes Grammy and Emmy award winners, and this year is sure to please fans of the event, which has grown in size and popularity in the past 25 years.

Blake Phillips, who is in charge of the series, is proud of the excellent lineup offered by the city for the 2012 season, and he has every right to be. The quality of talent on this year’s roster is better than ever, and is the result of hard work put forth by Phillips and his team. In the past, he and his crew of volunteers mingled among the crowds and directly asked the fans what acts they wanted to see in the future.

“We have fans who have been coming to the series year after year for 20, 25 years,” Phillips beamed. “However, talking straight to the fans and asking them what they wanted was a great way for us to think about what we could do in order to engage a new demographic—to reach out to those residents and out-of-towners who hadn’t ever been to the series. At the same time, we didn’t want to alienate our loyal fan base, those people who have been supporting us from the very beginning.”

After taking into consideration the feedback that they received, Phillips decided to expand the lineup to include a greater variety of genre and mediums of entertainment. “It used to be almost all big band acts, which are great, but we also added acts like Linda Davis, who is more from the country music world, and also, Cloris Leachman, who got her start on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”. This way, as we bring in and add different demographics into our audience, it ensures us that the series will continue to be successful and that it will go on for another 25 years,” he explained.

Now a popular staple of Gulf Shores’ entertainment scene, the series’ lineup is sure to thrill everyone from lifelong music fans to live music novices. The schedule for January is packed with a spectacular selection of veteran acts such as Grammy award-winning artist Linda Davis (who shared a #1 hit with Reba McEntire on “Does He Love You”), Dixieland jazz favorites, Dukes of Dixieland, and Jukebox Junction, a nostalgic musical revue starring The Diamonds and The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra.

The series starts off strong with two performances from Jukebox Junction, one on January 9th and another on 10th, when The Diamonds and The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra will surely delight crowds with the sweet sounds of big band music, swing, and classic doo-wop. Together these two acts will take the audience on a musical journey that will include the biggest hits from the last four decades. Tickets are $28 and currently available for purchase, so don’t miss this chance to hear the very best of American music’s repertoire from the past 40 years!

Next in the series are the unique sounds of Dukes of Dixieland, a musical group that skillfully blends Dixieland jazz, gospel, and country into a genre that is befitting of the that ever magical label any musical fan can appreciate- that is, that special “New Orleans sound.” Audience member will surely find it difficult to not dance, or at the very least, tap their toes to this band’s addictive music and live show. Tickets are currently available for $26, and Dukes of Dixieland will perform on January 16 and 17.

The third act for the January schedule hardly needs an introduction. Linda Davis has wowed crowds for years with her powerful vocals and her engaging performances have not only made her a Grammy award-winning artist, but also given her the opportunity to perform with the heavyweights such as Garth Brooks, Kenny Rogers, Reba McEntire, and George Strait. Her raw talent is undeniable and has earned her solid respect from critics, peers, and mostly importantly, audiences, who have fallen in love with her heartfelt voice and amazing live shows. With a reputation as one of the best live performers out there, she is surely not to be missed. Linda Davis performs on January 24 and tickets are $26.

All shows listed above start at 7:30 p.m. Ticket purchases and additional information are available by contacting the Gulf Shores Special Event Division at 251-968-1172, or at http://www.gulfshoresal.gov/specialevents/entertainmentseries.html