City of Gulf Shores Announces 2026 Sunset Series Lineup
The City of Gulf Shores is pleased to announce the 2026 music lineup for Sunset Series. This free event takes place on the Town Green at Gulf Place – 101 Gulf Shores Pkwy beginning at 5 p.m. On September 3 and September 10, enjoy a live DJ from 5–6 p.m. and live music from 6pm – 8pm. Beginning September 17, enjoy live music from 5–8 p.m. In addition to the entertainment, the event will showcase local community vendors, offering a variety of goods and experiences that highlight the creativity and talent within Gulf Shores. Guests can also enjoy free family-friendly activities, including face painting, a balloon artist, and more. Bring your family, friends, and lawn chairs and join us for these relaxing evenings overlooking our beautiful white-sand beaches at sunset.
2026 Sunset Series dates and lineup:
September 3 – Chubby Carrier & The Bayou Swamp Band
Chubby Carrier has been playing Zydeco music for 36 years. He is the third-generation Zydeco artist out of the Carrier’s family. He played his first gig on the drums with his daddy’s band at the age of 8 years old. At 14 years old he played his first gig on the accordion. In 1989 he formed his own band. Called Chubby Carrier & The Bayou Swamp Band. The band toured the United States, Canada and Europe. Playing Festivals, Fairs, and music venues all over the world. In 2010 Chubby won a Grammy award for Best Zydeco or Cajun album of the year. In 2011 he was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. Now Chubby is spreading the Zydeco Gospel in Schools to the next generation.
September 10 – Spank The Monkey
Spank the Monkey burst onto the Louisiana music scene in 1995, quickly building a reputation for their high-energy performances and distinctive blend of 90’s to 2000’s rock covers and originals. Over the years, the band released three albums of original music, and the song “Sweet Daisy” became the most requested song for three months on 96.5 Planet Radio. Spank The Monkey plays venues and festivals from Texas to Florida, earning a loyal following across the Gulf Coast and leaving audiences craving more with their electrifying presence and unforgettable live shows.
September 17 – Frank Brown Songwriters Showcase
The Songwriters Showcase serves as a preview to the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival. The Wilson Brothers will open from 5 to 6 pm, and from 6 to 8 pm, Nashville hit songwriter Craig Campbell and Gulf Coast favorite Johnny Hayes, along with their accompanists, will take the stage!
-The Wilson Brothers
Born and bred Alabamians, Chad and Kyle Wilson are award-winning artists and songwriters who were born into a family of musicians. They have toured extensively throughout the Southeast and abroad and are currently performing up and down the Gulf Coast.
-Craig Campbell
Craig Campbell put together a string of hits like “Family Man,” “Fish,” “Keep Them Kisses Comin’,” “Outta My Head,” and the gold-certified “Outskirts of Heaven” before launching Grindstone Recordings in 2020. Last year, he released his Class of ’89 album, six classic country hits that represent the core influences who helped mold his desire to pursue a career as an artist and songwriter, and Almost Greatest Hits, re-recordings of six of his smash hits.
This year marks his most ambitious yet, as he has assembled a team of music industry professionals to take his “Missing You” single to country radio. His touring schedule will surpass any in recent years, as he criss-crosses the country and makes a return tour of Europe. He and his wife, Mindy, opened their award-winning Grindstone Cowboy coffee shop, restaurant and music venue in their adopted hometown of Eagleville, Tennessee in 2022, and their second location is in the renovation stages in Shelbyville, Tennessee.
Craig started the Kenny Campbell Foundation in 2023 in honor of his father who passed away from colorectal cancer at age 36. His 10th Annual Craig Campbell Celebrity Cornhole Challenge raised over $28,000 for the Foundation last year, and he has raised over $1,000,000 for various colorectal and colon cancer causes.
-Johnny Hayes
Johnny Hayes is an independent Singer/Songwriter/Artist from Mobile, AL. Over the course of his career, Johnny’s written songs with songwriters such as Aaron Raitiere, Jon Decious, Drew Nix, Eric Erdman, and many more. He’s shared stages with Major Label Artists and bands such as ERNEST, The Red Clay Strays, Lukas Nelson, Band of Heathens, Them Dirty Roses, JJ Grey & MoFro, and Blues Traveler.
In July 2025, Johnny’s single “Broken Bow”, written with Kapali Long, won 2nd place in the Alt. Country category for the Wide-Open Country Song contest by American Songwriter Magazine. In 2017, Johnny made the top 24 on NBC’s The Voice, and in 2025 was awarded “best male vocalist” by the Flora-Bama.
“We are proud to continue our Sunset Series,” Grant Brown, City of Gulf Shores Recreation & Cultural Affairs Director, said. “Our city has put so much effort into making Gulf Place Public Beach a beautiful and relaxing spot for our residents and guests. We look forward to blending that beauty with free entertainment for everyone to enjoy.”
For more information about Sunset Series, contact the Special Events Division at 251-968-1171 or visit www.gulfshoresal.gov/
Sunset Series concerts are free to the public. Food trucks will be set up for those wishing to purchase food, and the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber will be present selling beverages for all ages to enjoy.
2025 (past)
The City of Gulf Shores is pleased to announce the 2025 music lineup for Sunset Series. These free concerts take place on the Town Green at Gulf Place – 101 Gulf Shores Pkwy. from 6-8 p.m. and consist of live music overlooking our beautiful white-sand beaches at sunset. We invite you to bring your family, friends, and lawn chair and join us for these family-friendly concerts.
September 4 – Fly-By Radio
After playing hundreds of public and private events for well over a decade, Fly-By Radio has become one of the biggest draws in the region. This high-energy variety rock band has a show that includes 6 great performers with male and female vocals! Based in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, this amazing group has become a household name. FBR cut their teeth playing 80s and 90s music on campus, but has become a favorite for festivals, fairs, and concerts all over the Southeast. They also pepper in tunes from the 70s to current hits.
September 11 – Chubby Carrier & The Bayou Swamp Band
Raised in Church Point, Louisiana, Chubby was introduced to Zydeco music as a young child by the musicians in his family. His father, Roy Carrier, and grandfather, Warren Carrier, were established Zydeco musicians that Chubby would watch in awe during band practices. “When they started performing and playing that sound, it just did something to me,” Chubby said. “I wanted to be a part of it.” At the age of 17, Chubby received a life-changing phone call from fellow Zydeco musician, Terrence Simien. “I don’t know who you are,” Terrence told him, “But the talk of the town is that you are one of the best drummers in Zydeco.” He invited Chubby to Europe to play drums in his band as they opened 14 shows for legendary rhythm and blues musician, Fats Domino. Chubby joined Terrence Simien and the Mallet Playboys full-time and was introduced to a world of Zydeco appreciation that he never knew existed.
September 18 – M-80s
Totally tubular! The M-80s have been bringing the awesome sounds of the MTV era to the Southeast since 2008. Hailing from Birmingham, Alabama, these righteous musicians have been rocking out at venues, events, and festivals, laying down all your favorite ‘80s rock and pop hits. With a song list that’s, like, totally gnarly, the M-80s guarantee a most excelling trip back to a time of big hair and even bigger tunes. You’ll know all the words to all the songs they play!
September 25 – Frank Brown Songwriters Showcase
The Songwriters Showcase serves as a preview to the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival. The night will feature Wood Box Heroes, the American acoustic supergroup, which is hardly anything like the bluegrass music you used to find in the cassette player of your grandad’s old Chevy pick-up truck. Deeply rooted in tradition, while melting together, an eclectic array of sounds from the country, bluegrass, blues, jazz, rock, and classical varieties, paired with crafty and authentic songwriting, the band delivers a piercing, listening experience that plunges deep into the caverns of the soul, bringing together some of the world’s most highly laded musicians: Matt Menefee (banjo— Banjo, Mumford & Sons, Cadillac Sky, Warren Hayes), and Barry Bales (bass—Alison Krauss & Union Station) backing up the vocal magic of Jenee Fleenor (fiddle—Blake Shelton, Larry Cordle) and Josh Martin (singer/songwriter/guitarist). This unit has over a century of musical seasoning between them. Yet, it is quite astonishing that the years spent on separate roads, accompanying a spectrum of incredible artists and receiving some of the most sought-after honors and awards in the business, have led to this enigmatic musical intersection.
Sunset Series concerts are free to the public. Food trucks will be set up for those wishing to purchase food, and the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber will be present selling beverages for all ages to enjoy.
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