THE GULF IS BACK, an emotionally charged one-hour special paying tribute to the people of Mississippi and the entire Gulf region is set to air on Friday, August 27 (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET) on the CW channel.

Actor and singer David Hasselhoff will host the special, which focuses on the resiliency of the residents of the Gulf Coast region and how they are bouncing back from the worst oil spill in the nation’s history while working tirelessly to restore their communities and lives.

Musical performances filmed during two days of free concerts at the Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, Mississippi will include such artists as Lonestar, Ricky Skaggs, Bo Bice, Taylor Hicks, Ace Young, Kyle and Chris Massey, Terri Clark, Drake Bell and Brian McKnight. The show will also feature special appearances by stars including Dean Cain, Shannon Elizabeth and B.B. King, along with moving real-life stories of the heroic actions taken by everyday people to overcome problems caused by the devastating oil spill.  Additional stars will be joining the show and filming segments during the next week.