The June Jam XVIII music festival hosted by the legendary country group “Alabama” drew thousands of fans from across the country to Fort Payne on Saturday, but it also attracted a decidedly more influential and political group of attendees.
Many politicians have noted the growing political influence of upstate Alabama, and this was evident when House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) and Senate Majority Leader Steve Livingston (R-Scottsboro), hosted a series of meetings. prominent legislators and other public officials in their legislative districts and invited them to a first-class VIP concert experience.
It’s always a pleasure to see Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry put on a great show while raising money for charities. Thank you to the artists, volunteers, and thousands of fans who braved the rain to make this one of the best June Jams yet. Until next year! pic.twitter.com/k1yVjRhgJO
-Nathaniel Ledbetter (@RepLedbetter) June 4, 2024
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who was joined by his family, spent much of the day at June Jam shaking hands and posing for photos with many of the fans in attendance despite bands of rain that hit the DeKalb County VFW Fairgrounds , where the event took place. he maintained.
The former Auburn football head coach proved to be very popular with country music audiences, which tend to be more politically conservative in nature.
What a great day in Fort Payne, Alabama for the June 2024 Jam Music Festival.
It was fun visiting with my friend, House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, and Les Taylor, lead singer of one of my favorite country bands of all time, EXILE. pic.twitter.com/05HtFPRpyU
— Coach Tommy Tuberville (@SenTuberville) June 2, 2024
State Treasurer Young Boozer was present, as was Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth, seen in jeans, boots, a cowboy hat and a traditional western shirt:
June Jam in Fort Payne is an annual event to raise money for disaster relief and other people in need. My family loved hearing the lineup selected by the ALABAMA band and the opportunity to spend time with many good friends, including speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter and Connie Rowe. pic.twitter.com/QEqpHxR4b4
– Will Ainsworth (@willainsworthAL) June 2, 2024
Among the notable lawmakers who enjoyed the event were House Rules Chairman Joe Lovvorn (R-Auburn), House Ways and Means Education Committee Chairman Danny Garrett (R-Trussville), Chairman House Ways and Means General Fund Committee Rex Reynolds (R-Hazel Green), Economic Development and Tourism Committee Chairman Andy Whitt (R-Harvest), Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure Chairman House Randall Shedd (R-Baileyton), House Fiscal Responsibility Committee Chairman Phillip Pettus (R-Killen), House Financial Services Committee Chairman Chris Blackshear (R-Phenix City) , House Health Committee Chairman Paul Lee (R-Dothan), and House Children and Seniors Advocacy Committee Chairman Ginny Shaver (R-Leesburg).
Also present was State Senator Jack Williams (R-Wilmer), a rumored candidate for Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries.
Alabama hosted June Jam as a charity event in 1982 and it was held annually for 16 years before taking a 25-year hiatus. The event was revived in 2023 by surviving group members Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry. Founding member Jeff Cook passed away in 2022.
Since its inception, the event has raised more than $20 million for charities, disaster relief efforts and veterans’ causes.
During its peak in 1991, June Jam attracted approximately 67,000 concertgoers and previous events featured artists including Garth Brooks, Charlie Daniels, Alan Jackson, The Judds, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, Dolly Parton, Trisha Yearwood, Willie Nelson and others.
The current version of June Jam has limited its available tickets to approximately 12,000 each year, and among the groups performing in 2024 were six-time ACM and CMA “Group of the Year” winner Old Dominion, Jamey Johnson, Shenandoah, Lee Greenwood, Montgomery. Gentry with Eddie Montgomery, Mark Wills, Exile, John Berry, Taylor Hicks, The Malpass Brothers and The Castellows.
Alabama, which has had 41 number one singles on the country charts, has sold more than 75 million records and is considered the most successful country music group in history, closed the show at the end of the day, as it does every month of June. Jam held before.
Grayson Everett is the Yellowhammer News political and state editor. You can follow him on Twitter. @Grayson270
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