June Jam 2023 lineup: Alabamaâs all-day concert adds more country stars
The first June Jam in 26 years keeps getting juicier. Newly announced support acts today for June Jam, an all-day concert headlined by Alabama, country music’s biggest-selling group ever — include Chapel Hart, The Issacs and Worth The Wait.
Chapel Hart are a vocal trio known for their song “You Can Have Him, Jolene,” an answer to Dolly Parton’s classic country hit “Jolene.”
The Isaacs are a family of gospel/bluegrass singers with three Grammy-nominated albums, including 2020′s “Songs for the Times.” The Isaacs recently performed at the star-studded tribute to country singer George Jones.
Worth The Wait are a mother-and-daughters trio who made a mark on TV singing competition “The Voice.”
June Jam 2023 is set for 1 p.m. June 3 at Dekalb County VFW Fair Grounds in Fort Payne, the group Alabama’s hometown.
Alabama, led by frontman Randy Owen and bassist Teddy Gentry, are known for hits like “Mountain Music,” “Feels So Right” and “The Closer You Get.”
Previously announced June Jam ‘23 support acts include Jamey Johnson, Jake Owen, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Frontmen (a supergroup comprised of Richie McDonald, formerly of Lonestar, Tim Rushlow, formerly of Little Texas, and Larry Stewart of Restless Heart), Exile, Mark Wills, Neal McCoy, Dailey & Vincent, Home Free, The Malpass Brothers and Dee Jay Silver.
Legendary country singer Randy Travis will make a special appearance. According to a press release, there will also be surprise guest performers. Storme Warren, a TV/radio personality known for his morning show on SiriusXM’s channel The Highway, will host the concert.
The very first June Jam took place in 1982. Alabama held them up to 1997 — all taking place in Fort Payne, which has a population of 15,000. The concerts drew as many as 67,000 fans.
In addition to Alabama, performers at past June Jams included the likes of Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, The Judds, Charley Pride, Steve Earle, Clint Black, Charlie Daniels Band and Glen Campbell.
Owen and Gentry announced the return of June Jam earlier this year at a Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce awards banquet.
This year’s concert will be the first June Jam without Jeff Cook, Alabama’s beloved guitarist, who died last year at age 73. Cook — known for his vocal harmonies, double-neck guitar, fiddle playing and “My Home’s In Alabama” solo — stepped away from the group around 2018 due to Parkinson’s disease.
Alabama’s classic lineup also included drummer Mark Herndon. Owen, Gentry and Cook parted ways with Herndon in the early 2000s.
In a recent statement, Owen said, “Our wishes are that Fort Payne will take June Jam and it will go on forever. We lost Jeff and when me and Teddy [Gentry, Alabama bassist] are gone, hopefully the city will continue with the June Jam. We want this to continue to help the city, the town, the state, and just help people in general.”
As with previous June Jam concerts, this year’s will benefit those in need and disaster relief in and around the state of Alabama. Ticket prices are $49.50, $79.75, $150 and $250 (plus applicable fees) via ticketmaster.com.
Country Hall of Famers since 2019, Alabama became superstars in the 1980s by mixing roots, hooks, harmonies and charisma. The group notched more than 40 country number-one hits, including “Old Flame” and “Song of the South.”
During the ‘80s, they had 10 straight albums go platinum or multiplatinum, including iconic LPs like “The Closer You Get…” and “Roll On.” Alabama has sold more than 73 million albums. Their most recent releases are 2015′s “Southern Drawl,” the group’s 23rd studio album, and 2017′s “American Christmas.”
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