Brent Burns, the musical ambassador of the Alabama Gulf Coast, hosts “Hits & Grins” at the South Baldwin Community Theater on Friday July 6 at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $20.00 and can be purchased online by clicking on this link:
“Hits & Grins” is composed of three of Nashville’s most talented singer/songwriters – Steve Dean, Bill Whyte and Lisa Shaffer. Burns will join the trio onstage as they perform their original songs and tell the stories behind them.
Steve Dean has written six #1 hits including Song of the Year, “Watching You” for Rodney Atkins, “Round About Way” for George Strait, “Walk On” for Reba McEntire, “Southern Star” for Alabama, “It Takes A Little Rain” for the Oak Ridge Boys and “Hearts Aren’t Made To Break” for Lee Greenwood. His songs have been recorded by Joe Nichols, Craig Morgan, Lee Ann Womack, Dierks Bentley, John Michael Montgomery and numerous artists. To date, Steve has earned 10 BMI Songwriting Awards.
Bill Whyte’s unique presentation of funny and twisted songs makes him a favorite everywhere he entertains. Whether he’s picking on pseudo celebrities in his song “Celebutard” or wondering how much he could get away with in “If I Had Boobs,” he leaves the crowd laughing. However there is a serious side to Bill which has resulted in many songs written/recorded with songwriters and artists like Keith Anderson, Craig Morgan, Linda Davis, Billy Dean, Brady Seals, Steve Dean and Steve Williams. In addition to songwriting, Bill has had a long career as a morning radio personality. He was inducted into the Country Radio Broadcasters Hall of Fame this year.
There may not be a purer country singer than Lisa Shaffer. From the moment she sings her first note, the audience is pulled to her crystal clear voice. From Crittenden, KY, Lisa moved to Nashville and was signed to Lyric Street Records joining the roster which included Rascal Flatts and SheDaisy. Her first number one song on the Music Roots Chart was “I Thought I’d Seen It All” recorded by Darin & Brooke Aldridge. Lisa has had sixteen more songs recorded by such artists as Jeff & Sherri Easter, Rhonda Vincent, Colt Ford and Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver.
Brent Burns is a familiar name to both locals and visitors. He continues with a busy writing and performing schedule which includes over 200 dates a year at corporate events, concerts, festivals and clubs. He has written and performed with such greats as Grammy Award winners, Ray Stevens (“Everything Is Beautiful”), Linda Davis (“Does He Love You?” duet with Reba McEntire), Larry Butler (producer, Kenny Rogers’ “The Gambler”), Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee (2007) NAPM, Bobby Weinstein (“Hurts So Bad” recorded by Alicia Keys and Linda Ronstadt) and Steve Dean (six #1 songs).