PHOTO: Fort Payne natives, Alabama, are stepping up with plenty of special guests to give back to a community in need. Tickets can be purchased through ticketfly.com. (Ticketmaster)
By Zach Hester, Reporter
JACKSONVILLE, Ala. — It’s officially been over a month since a pair of devastating tornadoes ripped through the city of Jacksonville, causing severe damage to both the university and community at large. Luckily, no lives were lost.
According to Jacksonville State University: JSU was hit by an EF-3 tornado [on March 19th] and had winds of up to 135 miles per hour (mph).” The entire campus was temporarily off-limits and a curfew was placed into immediate effect. University staff, students, alumni, and friends have since come together during these trying times to rebuild the “Friendliest Campus in the South.”
Over the last month, students have begun to trickle back into the campus that they call home either to continue their courses, drop them, or pack up their things to head home once again. While life may not have completely returned to normal for Jacksonville, a few of our own DeKalb County natives are hoping to use their gifts to make a difference.
On September 26, multiple Grammy Award-winning country band Alabama are heading back to their roots for a special headlining concert at Burgess-Snow Field at Jacksonville State University with friends and special guests for their only major live appearance in 2018. All proceeds from the concert will go toward tornado relief on campus.
The band has recruited an all-star lineup for the show with guests like The Charlie Daniels Band, Jamey Johnson, Riley Green, Shenandoah, Darren “Southern Momma” Knight and even more surprise guests that are being kept under wraps until showtime.
“Just as we did with the Alabama Fundraiser Concerts when the 2011 tornadoes hit, we continue to want to help,” Alabama lead vocalist Randy Owen told JSU. “One way we can help is do what we do best: play music with our friends and raise money for the university repairs.”
Tickets go on sale on Tuesday, May 1 at 10am at ticketfly.com or by calling (877) 435-9849. Prices begin at $25 (with fees). Stadium Club seats will be available to JSU Stadium Club ticket holders for $125 and can only be bought through calling the JSU Athletics Ticket Office during regular business hours. A limited number of general admission tickets will be available for purchase in person at the JSU Athletics Ticket Office in Kennamer Hall. #JSUStrong