If you are a blues fan, you know how great North Mississippi blues is. It catches your ear and then captures your heart with its deep-felt lyrics and haunting melodies.

Let the Cedric Burnside Project shower you with their mixture of blues, funk, R&B and soul for an exhilarating evening of free music Friday, February 3, 2012.

National recording artist Cedric Burnside is one of the modern greats of this genre. And he comes by it naturally, as his grandfather was the legendary blues man R.L. Burnside.

This Friday, February 3, 2012, you will want to be in the audience at The Hangout for a free performance by the Cedric Burnside Project. The main man will be joined by his younger brother, Cody Burnside, on vocals including rap (yes, rap and blues!) and Trenton Ayers on guitar and bass. You’ll discover how amazingly flexible and inventive this trio is as you soak up the sounds of their North Mississippi/Mississippi Hill Country blues, funk, R&B and soul. You might try, but you won’t be able to keep your feet still while they are on stage.

Come early and enjoy your evening meal at The Hangout. Not only will you have a terrific menu to choose from and an energetic atmosphere to enjoy it in, but it will also allow you to claim your favorite spot, as this is a free show with no reserved seating. The music is scheduled for 7–10 p.m. where Highway 59 ends and the fun begins!

Stay informed of local activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Real Estate on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.

The folks at The Hangout in Gulf Shores know that you planned to celebrate Labor Day 2011 at the beach, and they are determined to help make that happen for you. You may not wish to party outdoors this weekend—your drinks would become watered down very quickly—so they’ve moved the party indoors!

The Hangout is partying Louisiana-style all Labor Day Weekend. Free concerts, great fun!

With lively Louisiana music all weekend in The Hangout’s dining room, you’ll get a unique opportunity to enjoy close-up the sounds, sights and energy of top-notch musicians.

Friday night at 7:00 p.m. you’ll find the wide variety of Louisiana Fiya really does speak to everyone in the audience.

On Saturday at 8:45 p.m., Marc Broussard calls upon the sounds of classic R&B and soul and meshes it with contemporary sounds.

8:30 Sunday evening calls for Wayne Toups and ZyDeCajun to rock the house with their spicy blend of rock, folk, R&B and Cajun styles.

The anticipation of a packed house makes it all the more exciting. You may find yourself sharing a table with wonderful new friends – after all, live music is all about connecting with others, so laugh at the weather and live it up at The Hangout for Labor Day Weekend.

Stay informed of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Vacation Rentals on Facebook and Twitter.

UPDATED Friday, September 2.

Flora-Bama knows how to party, and this weekend they are setting out to prove it again.

Beach Party! SEC football, beach concert, food and drink specials September 3, 2011.

Saturday, September 3, 2011, brings soulful music, food and drink specials, and SEC football to veteran partiers and first-time guests at this roadhouse on the Alabama/Florida state line.

Doors open at 10:00 a.m. to get everyone in the mood for the 11:00 Auburn game, followed by Alabama at 11:20 and Florida State at 12:30. After a short break, the cheering sections will rev up again, this time for Florida at 6:00 and LSU at 7:00.

Get your fill of food and drinks all day, including Labor Day specials throughout the weekend and $1 Flora-Bama hot dogs. (Don’t miss your chance to experience the best Bushwackers on the beach!)

The musical entertainment will keep you dancing throughout the afternoon and evening, beginning with Spoonful James at 2:00 and followed by Rollin’ in the Hay at 4:00. Then settle in for the headliner show as Alabama’s own Taylor Hicks takes the stage at 6:00.

Due to inclement weather, the beach party has been moved inside, and special tickets will not be required; those who already purchased tickets may receive a refund at the door. The regular cover charge will be collected (21 and over $10, under 21 $15, 12 and under free). Parking will be free. For more information, call the Flora-Bama folks at 850-462-1639.

Stay informed of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Vacation Rentals on Facebook and Twitter.

The Hangout. You can’t help but love it. Kids delight to breakfast entertainment throughout the summer and year-round play in the sandpile and the mountains of foam. The late-night crowd can’t get enough of the terrific bands that play until 2 a.m. Families and friends enjoy the numerous delicious menu items as well as the gift shop and boutique items. And everyone appreciates the ideal location right at the main public beach.

Sundays in August and September: Delicious BBQ and all-day blues music at The Hangout in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

As if all of that isn’t enough fun, the folks at The Hangout also host many special events throughout the year. Beach, Blues & BBQ is in progress now, hosted each Sunday through August and September. Live blues music begins at noon and reaches a peak with special guest musicians at 7 p.m. See who’s coming to the party in August:

August 7         Lightnin’ Malcolm

August 14       The Revivalists*
*Due to heat, start time has been moved to 4 p.m., with The Revivalists playing at 8:30 p.m.

August 21       Devon Allman

August 28       Eric Lindell

Check The Hangout website for the September schedule. And if you can’t be there each Sunday, Radio 92 ZEW in Mobile will be broadcasting live so you can still be part of the fun. But you’ll have to be onsite to dine on lip-smackin’ BBQ from The Shed at The Hangout. There’s plenty for everyone, so bring your families and your best buddies for a day-long dose of Beach, Blues & BBQ.

Stay informed of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Vacation Rentals on Facebook and Twitter.

It’s not every day that you get to experience up-close a guitar virtuoso who developed his own fingerstyle approach to incorporate into folk, jazz, country, rock and blues.

Folk, swing, jazz and more by virtuoso guitarist Mac Walter who uses his own fingerstyle method to create masterful music.

But it’s not an everyday kind of talent that brought Mac Walter to the forefront. Although already playing ukulele at age 15, he was encouraged to explore the guitar. Three months later he was playing in a band and he hasn’t stopped playing since. His fascination with music led him to study at Berklee College in Boston and then continue his studies with inspiring, hard-driving teachers, and Mac is now a role model to the next generations of true guitarists.

Beach CITE Studios—located at SanRoc Cay in Orange Beach, Alabama—is offering you an opportunity on Friday, April 22, 2011, to see, hear and feel the passion that exudes from the heart and fingers of Mac Walter.

As seating is limited at this intimate venue, call 251-981-1989 now to claim chairs for you and your friends. The entertainment begins at 7:30; your donation for admission will be accepted beginning at 7:00.

Stay informed of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Real Estate Vacation Rentalson Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.

Delicious BBQ, blues bands, kids activities, silent auction, prize drawings...all this and more Saturday, March 19, in Foley, Alabama!

If you are in the South (even if just passing through), you simply must immerse yourself in two of the best things about the region: BBQ and the blues. It’s easier than you think—just attend the 3^rd Annual Foley BBQ and Blues Cookoff!

Saturday, March 19, 2011, will be jammed full of dripping, lip-smacking, wonderful versions of barbecue recipes brought to life. Cookoff entries include more than fifteen backyard hobbyists and veteran chefs, but the dishes will all be so incredibly tasty that it won’t matter which is which. But heed this warning: The BBQ may not last throughout the entire day, so get there early enough to ensure your tastebuds get what they are craving!

The perfect musical complement to BBQ is good ol’ Southern blues. You’ll likely be disappointed to hear a group’s musical segment come to a close, but very soon, another group will pick up and pull you in again. Plan now to catch each of these outstanding performances:

10–noon      Mud Bucket

Noon–2       Soul Monkey

2–4              Mark Kaul and the GC BarStars

4–6              Johnny No

Other aspects of the day include children’s activities, a silent auction, and drawings that allow all ticket holders an opportunity to win terrific prizes such as vacations, diamond jewelry, gift cards and more.

This gated, ticketed event is just $10 (ages 10 and under are free). Your support enables the South Baldwin Chamber Foundation to continue and expand the many educational programs they offer throughout the community.

We hope to see you at Foley’s Heritage Park (Hwys. 98 & 59) between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 19. BBQ for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, plus some of the South’s best music, plus amusements for the kids, too—and on what is expected to be a perfect-weather day. What more could you ask for?

For more details, call 251-943-5550 or click on South Baldwin Chamber Foundation.

Stay informed of local activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Real Estate on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.