Alabama Public Television to Air Jax State’s ROC Benefit Concert
12/10/2024
JACKSONVILLE – In December of 2023, some of the brightest stars in country music gathered at Jacksonville State University's Stone Center for an intimate concert benefiting the Randy Owen Center for the Performing Arts (ROC). The "ROC On" Concert is now set to air on Alabama Public Television on Thursday, December 19 at 8:00 pm with a rebroadcast on Friday, December 27 at 7:30 pm, featuring the star-studded lineup of four former Jax State students turned Nashville hitmakers: Randy Owen, Jamey Johnson, Riley Green and Gordon Mote.
"We are proud to count such a successful group of country artists among Jax State's alumni," said Jax State President Dr. Don C. Killingsworth, Jr. "It all started with Randy Owen, who has inspired generations of musicians across the world since his band, Alabama, redefined country music in the 1980s."
This concert was taped live on December 14, 2023, with Bill "Bubba" Bussey serving as the evening's host. The one-and-a-half-hour program showcases some of this lineup's greatest hits, including: "My Home's in Alabama," "In Color," "Mercy Walked In" and "I Wish Grandpas Never Died." This event's proceeds benefitted the new Randy Owen Center for the Performing Arts, or The ROC, at Jax State, honoring Owen's contributions to the arts and society while supporting the education and training of students. The new Randy Owen Center for the Performing Arts is slated to open at Jacksonville State University in January of 2026. Featuring a 1,000-seat concert hall, a 450-seat recital hall, a recording studio and classroom office spaces, this new space is designed to inspire a love of arts in all students, engage with lifelong learners seeking to elevate their passions and enrich the JSU campus community.
For more information, visit jsu.edu/roc.
About the Artists:
Randy Owen: Country legend Randy Owen grew up in Fort Payne, Ala., atop Lookout Mountain. He supported his education at JSU by doing odd jobs and playing barn dances in Georgia. After graduating with his bachelor's in English in 1973, he formed the group Alabama – which, in a few short years, popularized the idea of a country band. They dominated country music throughout the 1980s and 1990s, releasing 21 gold, platinum and multiplatinum albums. They've won two Grammys, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and were named Artist of the Decade by the Academy of Country Music in 1989 and Country Music Group of the Century by the Recording Industry Association of America in 1999. The band was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005, while Randy Owen was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2019. Owen serves on the Jax State Board of Trustees.
Jamey Johnson: Grand Ole Opry member Jamey Johnson fell in love with music while growing up in Montgomery, Ala., the hometown of country music legend Hank Williams. One of the first songs he learned to play on guitar was Alabama's "My Home's in Alabama," and the band's June Jam was the first concert he ever attended. Johnson enrolled at Jax State in the 1990s, playing mellophone in the Marching Southerners, before joining the Marines. In 2000, he moved to Nashville and landed a songwriting contract. After penning hits for other artists, he landed his first record deal in 2005. He's been nominated for 10 Grammys and is one of the only artists to win two Song of the Year Awards from both the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association.
Riley Green: Born in Jacksonville, Ala., Riley Green learned the spirit of songwriting and performing at a young age at his grandfather's Golden Saw Music Hall. His debut album achieved two Billboard Hot 100 hits, and his second album – which features a duet with Randy Owen – resulted in him being named New Male Artist of the Year in 2020 by the Academy of Country Music. As a student at Jax State, he was quarterback for the Gamecock football team. He continues to live in Jacksonville and stays engaged with the university.
Gordon Mote: A child piano prodigy, Gordon Mote grew up in Attalla, Ala., dreaming of becoming an entertainer. Witnessing the meteoric rise of country superstars Alabama from nearby Fort Payne made him feel like anything was possible. He attended Jax State before moving to Nashville and becoming the pianist for Lee Greenwood's band. He is one of Nashville's most sought-after studio musicians, playing on albums and touring with country music's biggest acts, including Alabama. As a successful solo artist, his 11 albums have earned several Grammy and Dove nominations. He has also been named Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year three times by the Academy of Country Music.
Media Contact: Emilly Duncan, ROC Project Development Manager at JSU, 256-782-5886 or elduncan@jsu.edu.