Country Star Phil Vassar to Kickoff Sandhills Celebrates America Weekend

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. (July 23, 2026) – Two-time ASCAP Songwriter of the Year and ACM Top Male Vocalist Phil Vassar will kick off the Sandhills Celebrates America 250 weekend on Sept. 25 with a performance at the Sunrise Theater in Southern Pines. This year, Vassar is celebrating the 25th anniversary of his breakout hit “Just Another Day in Paradise” and this stop in the Sandhills is part of his “25 Years of Paradise” Tour. The concert will be presented by Visit Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen.

“We couldn’t think of a better artist to kick off the Sandhills Celebrates America weekend,” said Visit Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen President and CEO Phil Werz. “Phil puts on a fantastic show and in a venue as acoustically good as the Sunrise, this will be a special treat and a great night of music for everyone. We’re stoked he’s coming to Southern Pines for a stop on his 25th anniversary tour.”

Over 25 years, Vassar has racked up chart-topping hits and numerous accolades, including performances in Europe, Australia, and the White House, as well as memorable moments with country legends like Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson. But it’s the connection he builds with fans through live performances that remains the heart of his career. “When I go on stage, the world fades away, and it’s just about having fun and connecting with the fans,” he shares.

Vassar’s reign of chart-topping singles includes 10 No.1 hits and 27 Top 40 tracks. Standout songs like “Carlene,” “Six-Pack Summer,” and the enduring “Just Another Day in Paradise” showcase his signature style. His songwriting, whether penned for himself or others, is deeply rooted in authenticity. The timeless connection in songs like “American Child” and “My Next Thirty Years” — written in less than 20 minutes on his 30th birthday — exemplifies his ability to craft stories that resonate. Recently, Vassar was nominated for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

“We are very excited to have one of country music’s greatest artists play the Sunrise” says Tim Russell, Sunrise Theater Executive Director. “This will be a great kickoff event to the Sandhills Celebrates America 250 weekend.” Show time is set for 7:00pm. Tickets can be purchased online at: www.SunriseTheater.com.

Vassar kicks off the first night of the Sandhills Celebrates America Weekend. The following night country artist Duston Lynch will perform at the Carthage Airport. Lynch is expected to bring his popular, high-energy DJ CLUB SET — a one-of-a-kind experience that blends his re-imagined country hits, dance remixes, and festival-level DJ production into a nonstop party built for enthusiastic crowds. Lynch will perform his hits live alongside a DJ-driven set packed with explosive drops, unexpected mashups, and club-ready remixes. The show pulls from his growing catalog of crossover releases and CLUB SET REMIXES, including fan favorites like “Small Town Boy,” “Seein’ Red,” “Stars Like Confetti,” and “Thinkin’ ’Bout You.”

Following the concert there will be a special 300-drone light show provided by SkyElements from Dallas, Texas. The display will illuminate the sky and have a patriotic theme set to music. SkyElements is the largest drone show company in the United States and is famous for its massive drone shows all over the country, and for clients like Disney, Major League Baseball and Coca-Cola.

Additional performers for the Sandhills Celebrates America weekend are expected to be announced soon. Tickets for both shows are expected to sell out. To purchase tickets to the Dustin Lynch concert, go to www.SandhillsCelebratesAmerica.com.

About Visit Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen

Visit Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen is the economic development agency responsible for travel and tourism promotion, product development, and visitor services for Moore County, NC. The organization devises strategies to enhance the County’s tourism brand value and product to accommodate the next generation of visitors, thereby stimulating the local economy and enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors alike. In 2024, Moore County ranked as the tenth largest tourism economy in North Carolina, generating $860 million annually in visitor spending, which supports the second largest employment sector in the county and saves county residents approximately $546 a year in state and local taxes.

About the Sunrise Theater

The Sunrise Theater is a historic, nonprofit performing arts center located in the heart of downtown Southern Pines, North Carolina. Since opening in 1941, the theater has served as a cultural cornerstone for the Sandhills, presenting a diverse lineup of live music, films, theater, comedy, educational programs, and community events, including the region’s popular First Friday outdoor concert series. Welcoming more than 40,000 visitors annually, the Sunrise Theater is dedicated to its mission to entertain, educate and engage the community while preserving one of the region’s most treasured historic landmarks. Through innovative programming, arts education, strategic partnerships, and ongoing restoration efforts, the Sunrise Theater enriches the cultural and economic vitality of Moore County and creates meaningful experiences for audiences of all ages. For more information, visit the Sunrise Theater’s website at www.SunriseTheater.com.