Legendary band Alabama rocks June Jam

FORT PAYNE, Ala. (WHNT) — The legendary band Alabama hosted its 18th edition of June Jam, the charity concert that brings hundreds of music fans from the Tennessee Valley and beyond to the VFW Fairgrounds in DeKalb County.

Country hits, a sense of community, and service is what the renowned music festival is all about.

“It’s all the different stars coming to something like this, you go to a basic concert you may see one or two stars, but you come to a concert like this and there’s a dozen different stars,” said June Jam superfan Dave Alvord.

Alabama Band members Randy Owen, Ted Gentry, and the late Jeff Cook began the festival in the 1980s with giving back on their minds. The concert returned in 2023 after a 26-year hiatus.

Alvord and Nina Andrews traveled 600 miles from Ohio just to be in Fort Payne for the fun. June Jam is a concert that raises money for disaster relief efforts, veterans, and a number of other charitable initiatives.

“Knowing what these guys have done for the community and the children and helping everybody that’s just amazing,” Andrews said.

Reflecting on past June Jams fans like Amy Pierce from Scottsboro say the concert promises sounds that bring back some memorable moments.

“I came here in the 90s and I loved it so much and I’m so glad that they brought it back to us local people here in Alabama, its heartwarming but more than that it’s just fun its the June Jam,” Pierce told News 19.

The star-studded lineup included performances from Grammy award-winning artists like Lee Greenwood, Shenandoah, and many others.

Bringing the country music stars together for a day of unforgettable performances for the benefit of others is why many call it special.

They help those in need throughout the state of Alabama and throughout our country I think that’s what brings June Jam and the fans of Alabama together because they know they’re of service they’re amazing,” June Jam coordinator Eric Dudash said. “Every band is amazing because they’re giving their time knowing that it’s going back to communities.”

The concert has raised over $20 million dollars for the June Jam Foundation, a number expected to grow after Saturday’s concert.

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