Alabama Tornado Relief Concert Raises Over $1 Million For Jacksonville State University

(L-R): Jeff Cook (Alabama), JSU President John M. Beehler, Randy Owen (Alabama), Teddy Gentry (Alabama). Photo: Matthew Reynolds | JSU

The Alabama & Friends #JSUStrong tornado relief concert benefiting Jacksonville State University was a success despite a downpour of rain, which didn’t stop thousands in Jacksonville, Ala., from attending Wednesday night’s sold-out show. The concert generated a grand total of $1,280,000 for JSU, which includes funds from all ticket sales, sponsorships and in-kind donations.

At JSU’s Burgess-Snow Field, Country Music Hall of Famers Alabama assembled an all-star lineup of talent including Charlie Daniels, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Shenandoah, Jamey Johnson, Riley Green, Drake White, Home Free, John Berry, Gordon Mote, Darren Knight “Southern Momma,” Sixwire, Sweet Tea Trio, and SiriusXM’s Storme Warren, who all donated their time and talents to raise funds for the tornado-ravaged university.

“Teddy, Jeff and I are so proud of the artists who played this benefit for tornado damage at Jacksonville State University,” says Alabama frontman Randy Owen. “With over $70 million dollars in damages, we’re glad that we, along with our artist friends, were able to help raise over a million dollars Wednesday night. I graduated from JSU so it’s very personal for me. Teddy and Jeff said ‘let’s do this’ the day I called them after the tornado. #JSUSTRONG.”

“We are so thankful to Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry, and Jeff Cook of Alabama and all the other artists, sponsors, and university personnel who worked together selflessly to make this event a huge success,” said JSU President John Beehler. “Not only was nearly $1.3 million raised to help us rebuild our campus, but smiles were put on the faces of thousands of attendees who have endured so much since the devastating tornado ofMarch 19. The impact of this concert will be felt for years to come.”

On March 19 of this year, JSU and the surrounding Jacksonville community was hit by a EF-3 tornado, severely damaging 23 buildings and impacting more than 50 more, and causing millions of dollars in damage. Further donations can be made to JSU’s tornado relief fund here.