Danny Spiro is a Nashville-based country music artist originally from Mobile, Alabama, known for a style that blends “blue-collar grit,” ’90s twang, and rock-driven energy. Often described as an “outlaw country maverick,” his music is characterized by raw authenticity and a rebellious spirit.
Musical Background and Career
Early Inspiration: Growing up in Mobile, a pivotal moment for Spiro was seeing the band 3 Doors Down perform live at age 14. The crowd’s energy inspired his desire to pursue music professionally.
Move to Nashville: He moved to Nashville to pursue his goal of performing at the Grand Ole Opry.
Professional Experience: He has been a professional musician for over 10 years, performing at honky-tonks, festivals, and major Nashville Broadway venues like Ole Red, Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, and FGL House.
Collaborations: Spiro has worked with acclaimed producer and drummer Grady Saxman, who has credits with artists like Luke Combs and Dustin Lynch.
Notable Releases and Achievements
Singles: His discography includes tracks such as “Love Songs Lately,” “Ecstasy,” and “Her Favorite Color”.
Danny & Kirstie Kraus will be taking the stage at the 8th Annual Biloxi Box Set Music Festival on Friday, September 11, 2026 at 5:00 pm. Don’t miss ’em!
Attendance & Registration
Access to the performance area is exclusive to registered attendees.
Kirstie Kraus is a Nashville-based independent country music artist, songwriter, and television host originally from Wisconsin. Known for her high-energy performances and a sound that blends modern country with rock, blues, and funk, she was recently honored as the 2024 Country Female Artist of the Year at the Josie Music Awards held at the Grand Ole Opry.
Early Life and Education
Hometown: She spent her first 14 years in Janesville, Wisconsin, before moving to De Pere, where she graduated high school in 2008.
Early Start: Kraus began performing at age two and started community theater, dance, and piano lessons by age six. She wrote her first full song at 12 and released her first record, Sweet Music, that same year.
Education: She attended Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin, graduating in 2012 with a degree in business marketing and sales—skills she credits as vital to her career as an independent musician.
Musical Career
Midwest Roots: Before moving to Nashville, she fronted the popular Midwest band Thirsty Jones. Her dedicated fanbase is still affectionately known as “The Thirsties”.
Nashville Move: She moved to Nashville full-time in 2017 to focus on her solo career and songwriting.
Debut Album: Her debut album, Yes You Can, features 11 tracks and encapsulates her personal motto of positive thinking.
Key Singles: Notable releases include “Delusional” (2018), “Gotta Do,” “Silver,” “Beaches Be Crazy,” and the anthem “Dab a Dolly”.
Hosting and Television
In addition to her music, Kraus is an active host for several networks:
CountryLineTV: Serving as a host for this international country music platform.
The Heartland Network: Hosting content for this country music-focused television network.
Notable Appearances & Awards
Venues: She has performed at iconic locations such as the Bluebird Cafe, The Listening Room, and the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Recognition: Her music has been featured on Spotify’s All New Country editorial playlist and Apple Music’s The Ty Bentli Show.
Awards: In addition to her 2024 Josie Music Award, she has received recognition in Madison Magazine’s “Best of Madison” annual rankings.
Kirstie Kraus will team up with Danny Spiro and is scheduled to perform at the Biloxi Box Set Music Festival on Friday, September 11, 2026.
Since the 8th Annual Biloxi Box Set Music Festival will be honoring the men & women in uniform and the first responders on the 25th Anniversary of 9-11, the Towns Around Biloxi Parrot Head Club have added a new “layer” to the philanthropic nature of the event. At this event, the club will be collecting new, unwrapped toys for the “Toys for Tots” program. And we’re filling up a classic car, a 1973 Volkswagen Type 181 “Thing”!
Just like Jimmy Buffett drove in his official “Fruitcakes” video, a VW Thing will be available under the South Beach Hotel Pavilion to collect all those toys for those families in need. Event participants, musicians, and visitors are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to fill her up!
Meet, “Ariel”, a 1973 VW “Thing”. She will be collecting donations at the 8th Annual Biloxi Box Set Music Festival as the “Fruitcakes for Families” Collection Car.
Brent Burns is a celebrated singer, songwriter, and humorist based in Gulf Shores, Alabama, often referred to as the “Poet Laureate of the Beach”. Known for his “Trop Rock” style, he blends coastal vibes with humor and has become a staple of the Alabama Gulf Coast music scene.
Early Life and Career
Origins: Born in Oklahoma and raised in Arizona, Burns moved to Gulf Shores in 1972 after a summer gig at a local Holiday Inn.
Military Service: He is a twice-wounded Purple Heart combat veteran of the Vietnam War.
Military Entertainment: In 2001, he became the first American entertainer to perform for U.S. troops overseas following the 9/11 attacks.
Musical Achievements
Official Ambassador: In 2006, he was named the “Official Music Ambassador” of the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau.
CD of the Year for Ragtops and Flip Flops (2008) and Don’t Come Knockin’ If The Tiki Hut’s Rockin’ (2012).
Notable Hits: His track “Cheaper Crude or No More Food” was a Top 40 hit that sold 200,000 copies on its first day and was notably the only song ever played by radio legend Paul Harvey.
Discography Highlights
His albums often feature a mix of humorous and beach-inspired tracks available at BrentBurns.com:
Livin’ The Life (Jimmy Buffett Only Wrote About) (1999)
I’ve Got A BEACH In My Backyard (2009)
70 and Partly Funny (2018)
Lot of Beaches to Go (2022)
Community and Philanthropy
Burns is deeply involved in his community, serving as the Grand Marshal for the 2025 Gulf Shores Mardi Gras Parade. He also directs a portion of his CD sales to charities such as the American Cancer Society, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, and Habitat for Humanity.
Bill Whyteis a Nashville-based songwriter, comedian, and Hall of Fame radio personality. Originally from the St. Louis area, he has spent decades balancing a career as an award-winning broadcaster with a prolific output of both serious and comedic country music.
Music & Songwriting Career
Whyte’s diverse songwriting spans country, bluegrass, and gospel, with notable highlights including: The Bluebird Cafe
Grammy-winning work: Co-writing “Safe Haven” for Hillary Scott & The Scott Family’s Love Remains.
Major artist cuts: Songs recorded by Joe Nichols, Ray Stevens, Cledus T. Judd, and The Oak Ridge Boys.
Bluegrass success: Co-writing the Golden Guitar-winning “Finger Pickin’ Good”.
Comedy: Releasing two comedy CDs, including Off The Wall.
Radio Career
A veteran broadcaster, Whyte has hosted morning shows in Nashville, Cincinnati, and Milwaukee.
Hall of Fame: Inducted into the Country Radio Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2012.
Awards: Winner of the 1991 CMA Award for Best Large Market Air Personality.
Current Work: Currently on-air at 650 AM WSM in Nashville.
Performance Groups
He tours with the trios “Evening in the Round” (with Linda Davis and Lang Scott) and “Hits & Grins” (with Steve Dean and Victoria Venier).
Brent Burns & Bill Whyte are scheduled to perform together at the Biloxi Box Set Music Festival on Friday, September 11, 2026.
Registration for the 8th Annual Biloxi Box Set Music Festival (September 10–12, 2026) is currently open.
Ticket & Registration Details
Full Registration: Access to the entire event area and beachside performances is priced at $100 per person.
Day Passes: $50 each day during the 2026 festival.
John Patti is an award-winning steel pan artist and percussionist known for elevating the steel drum from a traditional “island instrument” into a versatile tool for jazz, blues, rock, and country. Based in Sarasota, Florida, he is a prominent figure in the Trop-Rock music scene and has performed globally, from the Caribbean to Singapore.
Musical Career & Style
Genre-Blending: Patti blends Latin percussion and steel drums with various genres, including jazz fusion, reggae, and funk.
“Calyp-Soul”: He is well-known for his signature “Calyp-Soul” sound, which combines island rhythms with soul and jazz.
Radio Presence: His recordings are featured daily on Sirius/XM Radio’s “Radio Margaritaville”.
Notable Collaborations
Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefers: He has performed and recorded with several members of Jimmy Buffett’s band, including Robert Greenidge, Michael Utley, and Nadirah Shakoor.
Legendary Artists: Throughout his career, he has shared the stage with guitar innovator Les Paul and country star Jerry Jeff Walker.
Discography & Performances
Albums: His popular releases include Cabana Breeze (2010), A Calyp-Soul Christmas (2012), and We Gotcha Covered (2017).
Major Events: He is a frequent performer at major events like the Landsharks Cruise and tropical festivals across the Gulf Coast.
John Patti is scheduled to perform at the Biloxi Box Set Music Festival on Friday, September 11, 2026.
Registration for the 8th Annual Biloxi Box Set Music Festival (September 10–12, 2026) is currently open.
Ticket & Registration Details
Full Registration: Access to the entire event area and beachside performances is priced at $100 per person.
Day Passes: $50 each day during the 2026 festival.
Atmosphere: Stage is set up directly on the beach behind the hotel, offering a “trop rock” vibe with sand-side dancing.
Schedule & Setlist
John Patti’s Performance: While a specific setlist for 2026 is not yet released, John Patti is confirmed for the festival for the September 11, 2026 date. He often performs alongside other trop rock favorites like Brent Burns.
Other Confirmed Artists: The lineup typically includes regional and national talent such as the Jonas Lorence Band, Carrie Welling, and Kirstie Kraus.
To stay updated on the entertainment schedule, you can monitor these official channels:
The 8th Annual Biloxi Box Set Music Festival is officially scheduled to take place from September 10–12, 2026, at the South Beach Hotel & Suites in Biloxi, MS.
Festival organizers, the Towns Around Biloxi Parrot Head Club, have opened registration for the 2026 event, and they have added Crow the Culprit to the lineup. Typically, this festival features regional and national “trop rock” musicians on a beachside stage.
Crow the Culprit is an Americana quintet based in Coastal Mississippi. The band is known for its blend of four-part harmonies and multi-instrumental arrangements, performing a repertoire of over 25 original songs alongside unique covers.
Career Highlights
Awards: The band was a finalist for the 2023 Mississippi Songwriter of the Year and a finalist for the 2025 Third Coast Award in both the best rock and best country band categories.
Performance Milestones: They were the first band chosen to headline the Mississippi Sounds concert series at the historic Bay St. Louis Little Theatre.
Notable Collaborations: They have headlined numerous local festivals and served as the backing band for renowned musician Anders Osborne.
Discography & Style
The band’s music is rooted in “original Americana” and includes tracks such as:
“Pixels”
“Pontchartrain”
“Goin’ South”
“Stone’s Throw (Mama’s Song)”
They maintain a strong presence in the greater New Orleans and Southern Mississippi areas, performing at venues like Carrollton Station and The Shed BBQ and Blues.
To stay updated on the entertainment schedule, you can monitor these official channels:
Wouldn’t you like to live some of the lyrics of some of Jimmy’s songs? Well, here’s your chance. Join us for Towns Around Biloxi PHC’s 26th Annual “Pascagoula Poker Run” and Club Birthday Party April 18, 2026. The “Run” is made with “ragtops”, regular cars, and even some motorcycles.
We start at 11:00 a.m. at the The Dock Bar & Grill located at 6036 Rock Point Road, Mobile AL.
For $10 a hand you can register at the starting point and start to collect your cards.
We travel west on old Hwy 90 just as he did in the song with his black sheep uncle stopping at some very colorful establishments along the way. Cards are gathered as we go.
Our 2nd stop will be at The Old Mill located at 6391 Hwy 90 Theodore AL. We’ll be there from1:30 – 2:30. ***Note: This stop is a CASH BAR ONLY! *** The Old Mill has been on every TABPHC Annual Poker Run and looks forward to us stopping by.
We used to stop at the “State Line Bar” (not the real name) on the line between MS and AL, but there was a fire that closed this place down. There’s not much left at that site anymore.
Over the river we go into Pascagoula to the River Road Boat Club located at 4755 River Road, Pascagoula, MS. We’ll be there from 3:00 – 4:00 pm. Have your bug spray handy for this stop.
After grabbing a quick bite to eat, we’re headed over to the Singing River Yacht Club, located at 3900 Beach Blvd., Pascagoula, MS. The perfect location for Parrot Heads to grab a tropical beverage from 4:30 to 5:30 pm.
Racing to the end to collect your last card is Bozo’s 2.5, located at 2012 Ingalls Ave., in Pascagoula, MS. We’ll be there from 6:00 – 9:00. We also finish our poker hands and prepare to celebrate our club birthday with good food and great people.
The registration pot is split so that the best hand wins 40%, the worst hand wins 10%, and the remaining 50% donated to the Make-A-Wish Mississippi.
50-50 Raffle will also be available
All told, these events always produce elated participants. Designated drivers and car pooling is encouraged. Come join us. Bring friends. It’s a great time. If you can only make the party at the end, come join us! Get someone to register you and play a hand or two for you. Winning money can only top off a great time. Come on out and join us for some PHun!!!!!!!!!
Starting Point: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The Dock Bar & Grill, 6036 Rock Point Road, Mobile AL
2nd Stop: 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. The Old Mill, 6391 HWY 90, Theodore, AL 36582
3rd Stop: River Road Boat Club, 4755 River Road, Pascagoula, MS
4th Stop: Singing River Yacht Club, 3900 Beach Blvd., Pascagoula, MS
Final Stop: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Bozo’s 2.5, 2012 Ingalls Ave., Pascagoula, MS
Come on out and join us for some PHun!!!!!!!!!
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A MEMBER TO JOIN US FOR THIS PHUN!!!
Bubbles Up From Biloxi Box Set Music Festival 2023
The full line up of musical talent has been announced for the 8th Annual Biloxi Box Set Music Festival being held from Thursday, September 10th through Saturday, September 12th, 2026. The event will once again be held at South Beach Hotel and Suites, located at 1735 Beach Blvd in Biloxi, Mississippi. Once again, music will be enjoyed on the beach with the beautiful Mississippi Sound as a backdrop – perfect for the island vibes musical talent.
Opening up the Biloxi Box Set Music Festival 2026 on Thursday, September 10th, at 5 o’clock pm, will be Dave Freeman. This is not Dave’s first appearance at BBSMF. Dave came to us just a couple of weeks after Jimmy Buffett’s passing in 2023 and was unforgettable as he and Kirstie Krause sang “Bubbles Up”.
Dave Freeman is scheduled to perform at the 8th Annual Biloxi Box Set Music Festival, which will take place from September 10 to September 12, 2026, at the South Beach Biloxi Hotel & Suites.
Performance Details: Biloxi Box Set Music Festival 2026
Date: September 10, 2026, 5:00 pm Biloxi Box Set Opener
Location: South Beach Hotel & Suites, 1735 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, MS.
Event Type: A three-day “trop rock” beachfront celebration featuring regional and national musicians.
Atmosphere: The festival is known for its “Parrot Head” community (devoted Jimmy Buffett fans), themed parties, and stages set directly on the beach.
Cause: The 2026 edition serves as a major fundraiser for Mississippi Gulf Coast Veterans, specifically honoring the 25th Anniversary of 9/11.
Dave Freeman is a premier entertainer in the trop rock and dueling pianos circuits, known for his high-energy, beach-inspired performances. Based in Nashville, he has built a reputation for blending technical piano skill with a laid-back, “A1Acation” vibe that resonates perfectly with the Gulf Coast music scene. Facebook +2
A frequent collaborator within the Parrot Head community, Freeman has a history with the Biloxi Box Set, having previously performed at the 5th Annual event in 2023 alongside artist Kirstie Kraus. His return for the 8th annual festival highlights his status as a staple artist for the Towns Around Biloxi Parrot Head Club events. Fans can expect a mix of tropical-themed originals and interactive piano covers designed to get the “sand-kicking” crowd involved. Facebook +4
Attendance & Registration
Access to the performance area is exclusive to registered attendees.
To Register for the 8th Annual Biloxi Box Set Music Festival 2026, Click HERE
The Biloxi Box Set Music Festival is an annual beachfront music celebration held in Biloxi, Mississippi, celebrating “trop rock”—a laid-back genre blending rock, country, and Caribbean influences, popularized by artists like Jimmy Buffett. Organized by the Towns Around Biloxi Parrot Head Club, the event serves as a major fundraiser for Military Veterans on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, combining entertainment with philanthropy.
The 2026 edition is scheduled for September 10–12 at the South Beach Hotel & Suites, located at 1735 Beach Blvd. The festival features live performances from regional and national trop rock musicians, with stages set up directly on the beach behind the hotel. Access to the event area is exclusive to registered attendees, with registration priced at $100 per person*. Proceeds from ticket sales and sponsorships support Veterans across the Mississippi Gulf Coast in honor of the 25th Anniversary of 9-11.
Beyond the music, the Biloxi Box Set Music Festival fosters a vibrant community atmosphere, drawing “Parrot Heads”—devoted Jimmy Buffett fans—from across the Gulf Coast and beyond. Attendees can enjoy themed parties, beachside relaxation, and the camaraderie of fellow music enthusiasts, all while contributing to a meaningful cause.
Towns Around Biloxi Parrot Head Club 