FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Dr. Music and the Celebration Church of Fairhope are presenting a special day of boating, music, food and fun at American Legion Post 199 on Sunday, July 12.

J.R. Roberts and the Hooks are bringing their Southern roux of blues, country and R&B to the Beach Stage.

This is the only stop on their journey from Jacksonville Fla. to the Rhythm of Gospel Awards in Arkansas.

It’s fitting that they are playing so close to Mobile Bay, since J.R. was raised near its waters and cut his teeth in area juke joints.

The show will take place as part of Celebration Church of Fairhope’s Bay Day ‘09. The festivities will begin around 3:30 p.m., with water fun, a baby pool, kayaking and boat rides.

Dinner will be served around 5:45 with J.R. and the band taking the stage around 6. The event is free and open to the public.

Please bring your lawn chairs, but leave your coolers at home.

Roberts began his singing career at the tender age of six as the youngest of seven siblings that regularly appeared on a Mobile television variety show and sang in the Pleasant Valley Methodist Church Choir.

As a teen, he was sneaking into local jukes to hear the blues belters and R&B shouters of the day.

His singing voice and style have been influenced by Otis Redding, Ray Charles and the like, and he’s been called the “white Al Green.”

Roberts has sung with Jimmy Hall and toured with the Doobie Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Charlie Daniels.

The early ’80s saw his return to Christian music and his songs received heavy regional airplay.

His newest effort, “Been to the River,” has been nominated for Best Praise and Worship Album and the song “Rain Down” has been nominated for Best Praise and Worship Song at the Rhythm of Gospel Awards.

The album has also received the Radio Indie Grindie Award that goes to the top independently released albums of the year.

For more information on J.R. Roberts visit www.myspace.com/jrrobertsonline or www.cdbaby.com/cd/jrroberts.

For information about Celebration Church of Fairhope, visit www.fairhopechurch.com.