June Jam returns to Fort Payne, AL after 26 years of silence

The small Alabama town is home to original members of the Alabama band.

You may know them from hit songs such as, “Dixieland Delight” or “Songs of the South.”

“Everybody welcomes the June Jam. We are so excited.” said Sonya Maynard, long time June Jam attendee.

The band has over 41 number one country records and have sold over 75 million records, making them the most successful band in country music history.

Beginning in 1982, the family band founded the festival, bringing along with them some of country biggest artists for charity.

“Growing up, I was here when the June Jam actually got started back in the early 80’s. It’s been 26-years since we had a jam,” said the Mayor of Fort Payne, Brian Baine.

 Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson and Toby Keith have taken the June Jam Stage over the years.

“I went to just about every June Jam there was either as a concert goer or I volunteered and worked at the June Jam,” said Maynard.

Alabama original band members, Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry, are the driving forces behind this year’s event.

To date- The June Jam Foundation has raised over $15 million for charities.

“It takes so many volunteers to run this thing and we actually received more volunteers than we needed,” said Eric Dudash, Veteran of Foreign Wars member.

They’re expecting at least 10,000 people to attend.

“We have wanted Alabama to bring it back because it means a lot to the city of Fort Payne. Alabama actually put us on the map- because they’re such a good country group- it put Fort Payne on the map,” said Baine.