Brent Burns & Bill Whyte Added to the 8th Annual Biloxi Box Set Music Festival Line Up

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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.
  • Trop Rock Awards: A multi-award winner, Burns has received numerous honors from the Trop Rock Music Association (TRMA), including:
    • Entertainer of the Year (2008, 2011).
    • Songwriter of the Year (2010, 2011).
    • 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 Whyte is 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 CafeThe 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.
  • Where to Buy: You can register online HERE for the Towns Around Biloxi Parrot Head Club Biloxi Box Set Music Festival 2026.
  • Payment by Mail: You can also pay by check payable to “Towns Around Biloxi Parrot Head Club” sent to their Treasurer in Biloxi.
  • Cause: Proceeds from the 2026 event support Veterans across the Mississippi Gulf Coast in honor of the 25th anniversary of 9/11.

Venue Information

  • Location: The festival is held at the South Beach Hotel & Suites (1735 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, MS).
  • Atmosphere: Stage is set up directly on the beach behind the hotel, offering a “trop rock” vibe with sand-side dancing.

To stay updated on the entertainment schedule, you can monitor these official channels:

Attendance & Registration

Access to the performance area is exclusive to registered attendees. 

  • Cost: Registration is priced at $100 per person and proceeds to benefit Veterans Organizations across the Mississippi Gulf. Coast
  • Tickets: You can register HERE. 

The Full Line Up of Artists is as Follows:

Thursday, September 10, 2026

Friday, September 11, 2026

Saturday, September 12, 2026

EMCEE by Greg Dumas

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