(Gulf Shores)

The much awaited 2012 Hangout Music Festival Schedule has been released as follows:  Dave Mathews Band, Jack White, Skrillex, String Cheese Incident, Wilco, The Flaming Lips Perform Dark Side of the Moon, Dispatch, Steve Winwood, Chris Cornell, STS9, Gogol Bordello, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Mac Miller, Flogging Molly, Coheed & Cambria, Paul Oakenfold, G. Love and Special Sauce, Randy Newman, Dr. Dog, Young the Giant, Cage the Elephant, Dawes, Alabama Shakes, M Ward, Yelawolf, Switchfoot, Julian Marley, Zeds Dead, Mavis Staples, Shpongle, Gary Clark Jr., Rebelution, Allen Stone, Big Freedia, The Devil Makes Three, Paper Diamond, Futurebirds, Hey Rosetta!, Sleeper Agent, The Lumineers, Archnemesis, Tribal Seeds, Rich Aucoin, Jamie Bergeron and more to be announced (line-up available at http://lineup.hangoutmusicfest.com/).

GULF SHORES, Ala. ­— The 40th Annual National Shrimp Festival is just a few days away, and this year’s lineup of entertainers, seafood and arts promises to make this one as memorable as any other. Produced by the Alabama Gulf Coast Area Chamber of Commerce, this year’s festival will take place Oct. 13 – 16 where Ala. Hwy. 59 meets the Gulf.

What began as an event to bring a few extra people to the beaches in 1971, the festival is now widely recognized as one of the strongest festivals in the south, regularly attracting more than 250,000 people to Alabama’s beaches. While the festival is named for the tasty Gulf shrimp that are featured in numerous food vending booths, many come for the top-flight entertainers that grace two stages from morning to night for four straight days.

This year’s lineup of entertainers is expected to bring in their share of the more than 300,000 visitors organizers expect during the weekend. From multi-platinum ‘80’s hair band Warrant to country stars Colt Ford and Sunny Ledford and many more favorite acts, this year’s entertainment lineup has something for everyone.

Although experiencing numerous personnel changes through the years, Warrant has continued to tour and record since its inception in 1984. Four out of the five current members are from the band’s heyday 20 years ago. Festival Entertainment Chair Tammy Halco said the death of longtime lead singer Jani Lane in August was a shock, but did not affect the band’s tour dates since he had not been a part of the group since 2008.

“Warrant is sure to give their fans a great performance Saturday night,” Halco said. “Only lead singer Robert Mason is a relatively new member of the group, joining in 2008, so this is a band of veteran rockers that know how to keep the crowd banging their heads.”

Country stars Colt Ford and The LACS – who play Friday night - and Sunny Ledfurd – who will take the stage Saturday night - bring a new century attitude to country music. Although categorized as country, these performers draw inspiration from such diverse acts as Guns & Roses and Snoop Dogg. “These guys prominently feature country-rap in their performances. They definitely don’t play your daddy’s brand of country music,” Halco said. “Although they are categorized as country, all of these acts basically defy categorization. Besides their 21st century approach to country music, all these performers know how to pump up a crowd.”

Other well-known performers include ‘70’s rockers Blackfoot and ‘90’s power ballad sensation Firehouse. Many top regional and local artists, including Brent Burns and Lisa Christian will perform as well. Coming back for their annual Thursday night shows will be the island’s own Sand Band and Mobile’s Tip Tops.

On the stage Saturday night will be Shrimp Festival favorites Dr. Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monster. Festival Chairman Ron Kutter has been known to don ‘70’s era clothing and an afro-style wig, then grab a guitar and jam with the band during their Shrimp Festival performances, according to Halco. “There’s no word yet on whether he’ll do that this year,” she said.

Photo Courtesy of Clayton Wallace

“We have more national acts this year in honor of our 40th birthday, but we also have some great Nashville songwriters like Grammy-nominated Jimbeau Hinson who has written for the Oak Ridge Boys for years. On top of that, we have the best singer/songwriters our area has to offer,” Halco said.

“I believe Tammy, along with the other members of the entertainment committee, has done a fantastic job bringing a wide variety of acts to this year’s festival,” Chamber Special Events Director Jan Umphrey said. “Anyone should be able to find several acts that appeal to their musical taste.

For more information on the festival, see their website at www.nationalshrimpfestival.com.