Whether you’re one of the many Gulf Shores residents anxiously awaiting the return of the city’s entertainment series, or one of the many musiclovers 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 with full 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 consistently grown in size and popularity year after year.

 Blake Phillips, the series' coordinator, said he's proud of the excellent lineup offered by the city for the 2012 season. 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," he said. "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."

 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 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”), Dukes of Dixieland, In the Mood, Laughing with the Legends, Celebration Winds, and Raindrops & Boondocks with BJ Thomas and Billy Joe Royal.

 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 will perform on Jan. 24 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $26.

 More than a concert, In the Mood is a big band theatrical swing revue. It’s the music of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Harry James, Erskine Hawkins, The Andrews Sisters, Frank Sinatra and other greats of the 1940s.

 Featuring a company of 19 on stage including the In the Mood Singers and Dancers with the sensational String of Pearls Big Band Orchestra, the show’s music arrangements, costumes and choreography are as authentic as it gets. In the Mood is a phenomenon among touring shows—now in its 17th year. Swing aficionados and seniors who heard the music firsthand especially adore this show, but this family show is for all ages. In the Mood is a celebration of an unusual era in

American music, the 1940s…the Swing Era. Come experience the swing, rhythm, jazzy, brassy, sentimental and romantic music of this important time.

 If you’ve never seen a live performance of Big band music before, this is the one to see. In the Mood will perform on Feb. 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $28.

 Legendary vocalists B.J. Thomas and Billy Joe Royal team up together for the “Raindrops to Boondocks” tour, a word play on two of their biggest hits, Thomas’ “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head” and Royal’s “Down in the Boondocks.”

 In addition to having two of the most recognizable voices in popular American music, Thomas and Royal share several Grammy awards and Platinum records between them. Thomas found success in hits such as “Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song” and “Hooked on a Feeling” while Royal topped the charts with “Cherry Hill Park”, “I Knew You When”, and “I’ll Pin a Note on Your Pillow.”

 Perhaps is it because this tour gives audiences the unique opportunity to catch these two performers together in one show that “Raindrops and Boondocks” has continued to sell out venues all over the world. Become a part of the experience when the tour stops in Gulf Shores on Feb. 27 and 28 at 7:30 each night. Tickets are $39.

 Noting the accomplishments and accolades of Cloris Leachman can be a daunting task. This veteran entertainer has been steadily performing since the 1950s and along the way she has been awarded an Emmy for the “Mary Tyler Moore Show,” a Golden Globe for “Phyllis,” an Oscar and a BAFTA award for “The Last Picture Show,” two more Emmys for “Malcolm in the Middle,” and several SAG award nominations.

 However, younger audiences perhaps recognize her as a former “Dancing with the Stars” contestant, or as the kooky grandmother on “Raising Hope” on FOX network. Her limitless talent and varied accomplishments recently earned her an induction into the Television Academy Hall of Fame.

 In her self-titled one-woman show, the 85-year-old tells the journey of her fascinating life thus far, both professional and personal, through music and anecdotal stories, and says that she wants audiences to come out of the show happy. With such an interesting perspective as a well regarded actress coupled her famous comedic timing, it’s doubtful that she has anything to worry about.

 “Cloris: A One-Woman Show,” will have only one show at the Gulf Shores Entertainment series, so make sure to purchase your tickets for what will surely be a once-in-a-lietime show. Cloris Leachman’s performance will be on March 3 at 7:30 p.m. and March 4 at 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $39.

 The husband and wife team of Brian Girl and Joey Gurl bring “Laughing with the Legends,” an extremely popular comedy-packed variety show filled with amazing skits and hilarious impersonations of Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Liberace, Fats Domino, Ed Sullivan and numerous other pop figures from the Fabulous Fifties. Dancing, singing and spoofing their way through the most memorable moments from this era, it’s little wonder that this high-energy performance has been described by various critics and audience members as “charmingly done”, “performed with remarkable talent”, and “a class act.”

 Highlights include skits from “I Love Lucy”, “The Hit Parade”, and medleys that showcase Brian’s phenomenal piano playing. Don’t miss out on your chance to relive the 50’s by this immensely talented team and be ready for lots of spontaneous audience participation! “Laughing with the Legends” will perform on March 6 at 7:30. Tickets are $25.

 Ending the series will be Celebration Winds, a group that is returning to the series once again due to popular demand. When Phillips and his crew of volunteers asked audience members who they would like to see on the 2012

schedule, an overwhelming amount of patrons specifically requested Celebration Winds. Consisting of talented musicians from the Birmingham and Atlanta areas, this group performs classical, pop, and Broadway tunes and has performed in cities all over the country as well as overseas.

 Come see what makes this group one of the most requested acts ever in the history of the series. Celebration Winds will perform on March 10 at 7:30, and on March 11 at 3:30. Tickets are $21.

 Ticket purchases and additional information are available by contacting the Gulf Shores Special Event Division at 968-1172 or at gulfshoresal.gov/specialevents/entertainmentseries.html.