Jamey Johnson’s Jamey & Friends Jam Brings Intimate Evening of Music to Jax State

02/20/2025

JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville State University welcomed award-winning country artist and Grand Ole Opry member Jamey Johnson back to campus on Tuesday for an exclusive evening of music at the Stone Center. The Jamey & Friends Jam, a unique guitar pull-style concert, featured Johnson alongside legendary Alabama frontman Randy Owen and renowned Nashville songwriter Rob Hatch in a Bluebird Café-style setting, offering an intimate experience for music lovers. 

The event served as a fundraiser for the Randy Owen Center for Performing Arts (ROC)—a state-of-the-art facility currently under construction and scheduled for completion in late 2025. Held in the 362-seat Stone Center Theatre, the concert brought together artists and supporters in an intimate setting while raising more than $103,000 through sponsorships and ticket sales to support the ROC’s construction. 

Johnson, a former member of the Marching Southerners and an honorary doctorate recipient from Jax State, has been instrumental in advancing arts and music education on campus. In December 2023, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey officially recognized his contributions by declaring Jamey Johnson Day in the state. That same year, Johnson launched the Jamey Johnson Music Series, which is dedicated to enriching the cultural and educational experiences of Jax State students and the surrounding region. 

"Jamey has been an incredible friend to Jacksonville State and to the arts," said Jax State President Dr. Don C. Killingsworth, Jr. "His generosity and love for music make a real difference for our students, and we’re grateful for his support in helping us create a performing arts center that will inspire and serve our campus and community for generations to come." 

The Jamey & Friends Jam follows Johnson’s involvement in previous fundraising efforts for the ROC, including the ROC On Concert, where he joined fellow former students Randy Owen, Riley Green and Gordon Mote and announced the Jamey Johnson Music Series. Tuesday’s event was the first installment of the series, bringing together artists and supporters to celebrate music and the future of performing arts at Jax State. 

The Randy Owen Center for Performing Arts will feature a 1,000-seat concert hall and an educational wing dedicated to the university’s growing arts and humanities programs. Once completed, it will serve as a premier venue for performances, educational programming, and community engagement. 

For more information on the ROC and how to support the project, visit www.jsu.edu/roc.