GULF SHORES, Ala.  — Organizers for the 41st Annual National Shrimp Festival presented by Zatarain’s have announced that country music star Phil Vassar will headline the Friday entertainment lineup this year.

The Festival will take place Oct. 11 through 14 where Ala. Hwy. 59 meets the beach in Gulf Shores and is produced by the Alabama Gulf Coast Area Chamber of Commerce.

Vassar first rose to prominence in the music industry as a songwriter for such stars as Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson and former Shrimp Festival performer Jo Dee Messina.

Messina’s “Bye, Bye” and “I’m Alright”, along with Jackson’s “Right on the Money” all reached No. 1 on the country charts. “Bye, Bye” also earned Vassar his first American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers award for Song of the Year, and in 1999 he was named ASCAP’s Songwriter of the Year.

At the height of his songwriting success, Vassar was signed by Arista Records’ Nashville division to record songs on their label. His eponymous debut album in 1999 spawned his first single “Carlene”, which peaked at No. 5 on the country charts.

His follow-up single “Just Another Day in Paradise” earned Vassar his first No. 1 song on the country charts and led to the album being certified as “gold” for selling more than 500,000 copies.

Since then, he has released four albums of fresh songs and one “greatest hits” album, along with almost 20 singles that have spent time on the country charts.

Earlier this year, he released “Don’t Miss Your Life” which peaked at No. 32 on the country charts.

Festival Chairman Ron Kutter said he was excited when he found out Vassar would be coming to Gulf Shores in October.

“Phil Vassar is the consummate country music singer/songwriter,” he said. “This is a country music entertainer that tours with a baby grand piano they wheel onto the stage. From a personal point of view, I can’t wait for him to play ‘Just Another Day in Paradise’ because every day I wake up and feel just that way about living down here.”

Chamber Special Events Director Ann Motes said she, too, is excited about Vassar’s appearance at the Festival. “We started pursuing country acts to appear at the Festival several years ago. Since then, we’ve had Miranda Lambert, Jo Dee Messina, Lee Ann Womack and Colt Ford perform for us,” she said. “I think Phil’s performance will be remembered as one of the best. I just love his songs.”

For his part, Vassar said he can’t wait to play the Festival.

“Okay, this may sound crazy, but I've never played the Gulf Shores area,” he said. “I can't tell you how many friends of mine have been there to play the Shrimp Festival, hang out at the beaches or both. All everyone talks about is how great the people are. I can't wait to get down there for all of the above and have a big ol' plate of shrimp.”

Kutter said more announcements regarding other entertainers who will play at the Festival will be forthcoming.

“I’m excited about Eddie Money, Phil Vassar and all the other acts that have agreed to play throughout the weekend,” he said. “We’re in the process of getting all the contracts finalized and we’ll let everyone know the complete lineup shortly.”

For more information on the 41st Annual National Shrimp Festival™ presented by Zatarain’s, see the Festival website at www.nationalshrimpfestival.com.