GULF SHORES — Thursday, August 9, is your chance to relive a piece of Island history. Beginning at 7 p.m., the 2007 Gulf Shores Outdoors & In free concert series will present Wayne Perdew & the All Star Band, indoors at the Erie Meyer Civic Center, 1930 W. Second St. Whether your memories are of special evenings spent at Jerry & Wayne’s in Gulf Shores or Shirley & Wayne’s Supper Club in Orange Beach, you won’t want to miss this treat.

Jim Andrews and John Brust, along with Jerry Anderson, join Wayne for a toe-tapping reunion of the All Star Band. Doors will open at 6:30, so bring your family and friends for a couple of hours of musical magic.

From playing fiddle at square dances in Maryland as a youth, to a job playing guitar and fiddle in Red Foley’s Band from 1956-61, Perdew has long enjoyed success as a professional musician.

The Southern chapter in his life began in the early 70’s, when Perdue and his new wife, Shirley, decided to visit some of her family in nearby Foley. Little did they know this trip would turn their lives in a different direction. As soon as they set eyes on the sandy beaches and crystal blue water of Gulf Shores, they knew they had found something very special.

When the Perdues made the move to Pleasure Island, they teamed with local Jerry Boddie to turn the old Beachcomber into what would soon become Jerry & Wayne’s in 1975. It took a large group of family and friends to get the place going, but thanks to Wayne’s outgoing personality, they were able to fill the house on opening night.

After Hurricane Frederic, Jerry and Wayne rebuilt only to decide later to sell the business. For a while, Shirley ran the bar and Wayne played piano at the Holiday Inn in Gulf Shores. It wasn’t until the late Ray Dempsey talked Wayne into buying some land in Orange Beach that they decided to build Shirley & Wayne’s Supper Club in 1981. This is where the All Star Band became known for their eclectic sets and superior musicianship.

For more information, call the Special Events & Programs information line at (251) 968-1172, or visit www.cityofgulfshores.org and click on 2007 Outdoors and In concerts.