Alabama Readies for June Jam XVIII (Unique)

Alabama will anchor their June Jam live performance competition for the 18th time this weekend within the band’s native Fort Payne, Alabama. At 74 years outdated, the band’s singer Randy Owen readily admits he is able to decelerate in most areas of his life – however he hopes June Jam is a convention his hometown retains going lengthy after he is gone.

“It is one thing that me and Teddy did as a result of we thought we might assist our group and could be good for nation music,” Owen informed PEOPLE. “It is a true story — do one thing for the group, and we’re in a position to assist a number of causes that make life all worthwhile and assist folks.”

Alabama’s June Jam XVIII is Saturday, June 1, on the VFW Fairgrounds in Fort Payne, Alabama. The group reestablished its widespread nation music competition for the primary time in 26 years in 2023. Followers packed the competition grounds, and merchandise offered out in minutes. This 12 months’s occasion guarantees to be simply as widespread. The lineup contains Previous Dominion, Shenandoah, Lee Greenwood, Montgomery Gentry That includes Eddie Montgomery, Mark Wills, Exile, John Berry, Taylor Hicks, The Malpass Brothers, The Castellows, Jeff Bates, Definitely worth the Wait and extra. 

As in previous years, June Jam will profit these in want and catastrophe aid in and round Alabama.

“Our needs are the city retains doing June Jam after Teddy and I’ve handed on to the sunny aspect,” the singer stated.

Owen described Fort Payne as a “neat place to dwell and go to high school” and likened it to the set of a Hallmark film.

“I simply pulled out of Fort Payne a couple of minutes in the past, and the development employees are engaged on the development website,” he stated. “All of them waved at me once I glided by.”

If Fort Payne is the city that made Alabama, Alabama is the band that made Previous Dominion.

Previous Dominion members know they would not have a profession with out Alabama. And that is simply one of many causes nation music’s hottest up to date band will trek south on Saturday to play June Jam. 

Alabama’s former administration firm guides Previous Dominion, who has had hit songs together with “Resort Key,” “One Man Band” and “Break Up with Him.”

“I am certain that issues that we do not even understand occurred to us have been modeled after them by the individuals who helped them get to the place they’re,” stated Previous Dominion’s Geoff Sprung.

“They paved the best way,” added Previous Dominion’s Trevor Rosen. “They modified the notion of what it means to be a band in nation music. There wasn’t a profitable band in nation music so rapidly folks acknowledged it was doable.”

Previous Dominion’s singer Matthew Ramsey stated the group tries to observe Alabama’s inventive trailblazing as intently as doable.

“They created their very own lane and the panorama they have been working in,” Ramsey stated. “They did not attempt to chase what anybody else was doing. They only did what they did, and nobody might contact it. That is what we attempt to do: ignore the temptation to chase after what we predict the radio needs or what folks need and simply keep true to ourselves. We managed to create our personal factor, too.”

Owen is worked up concerning the band’s hometown present on Saturday. He is wanting ahead to enjoying Alabama hits ‘Mountain Music,’ ‘Tennessee River,’ ‘Feels So Proper’ and extra. He stated it is only a matter of “getting on stage and doing it.”

“We will not wait to see the followers who made all of it doable,” he stated. 

Nation Music Corridor of Fame group Alabama has been a rustic music staple for greater than 5 many years and an icon within the style for almost as lengthy. The group included Jeff Prepare dinner, Teddy Gentry and Owen till Prepare dinner died after a decade-long battle with Parkinson’s illness in 2022. Now, Gentry and Owen journey the nation, conserving the band’s wealthy legacy alive.

The band, who’re additionally cousins, charted 43 No. 1 songs, together with “Mountain Music,” “Roll On,” “Dixieland Delight” and “If You are Gonna Play In Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle In The Band)” and offered greater than 80 million albums – sufficient to make them essentially the most profitable band in nation music historical past. Owen and Gentry opted to maintain enjoying reveals — with Prepare dinner’s blessing — after his demise.

Along with enjoying June Jam, Alabama may even take the stage in varied states this summer time throughout their ALABAMA 2024 ROLL ON II North America Tour. Stops embody reveals in South Carolina, Georgia, North Dakota, Canada and extra.

“Contemplating all of the stuff that is occurring on the planet with our mates and every part, I am simply proud to be alive and proud to have the ability to nonetheless play some music,” Owen stated. 

ALABAMA 2024 ROLL ON II North America Tour Dates:

June 1 – June Jam XVIII  – Fort Payne, Al

June 13 – Stay Oak Financial institution Pavilion At Riverfront Park – Wilmington, Nc

June 15 – Southeastern Bbq Showdown At Segra Park – Columbia, Sc

June 22 – Lengthy Leaf Nation Music Pageant  – Homosexual, Ga

June 27 – Prairie Knights On line casino and Resort – Fort Yates, Nd

June 29 – Dauphin’s Countryfest – Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada

July 19 – Bridgestone Area  – Nashville, Tn

Jul 25 – Ohio State Truthful  – Columbus, Oh

July 27 – The Amp At Log Nonetheless – Gethsemane, Ky

Aug 8 – Freeman Arts Pavilion – Selbyville, De

Aug 10 – Atlantic Union Financial institution After Hours at Servpro Pavilion – Doswell, Va

Aug 17 – Missouri State Truthful – Sedalia, Mo

Aug 30 – Kickoff Jam – Panama Metropolis Seaside, Fl

Sept 11 – The Summit At Pechanga Resort On line casino – Temecula, Ca

Sept 13 – Lake Tahoe Out of doors Area at Harveys – Stateline, Nv

Sept 18 – Washington State Truthful – Puyallup, Wa

Nov 8 – St. Augustine Amphitheatre – St. Augustine, Fl

Nov 9 – St. Augustine Amphitheatre – St. Augustine, Fl