'Bama Rising' Makes Big Impact In Alabama

Bama Rising

"BAMA RISING: A Benefit Concert for ALABAMA Tornado Recovery” took place on TUESDAY, JUNE 14th at BJCC ARENA in BIRMINGHAM, AL, and raised funds to assist victims of the tornadoes that ravaged the state on APRIL 27th. While official totals are not in, reportedly, it looks like the total will come near or top $1 million.

A sold-out crowd of more than 13,000 fans enjoyed music from 19 different acts including Country music’s RODNEY ATKINS, DIERKS BENTLEY, BO BICE, LUKE BRYAN, SHERYL CROW, SARA EVANS, TAYLOR HICKS, LITTLE BIG TOWN, MONTGOMERY GENTRY, MARTINA McBRIDE, DAVID NAIL, JAKE OWEN, BRAD PAISLEY, KELLIE PICKLER, DARIUS RUCKER, ASHTON SHEPHERD, and ALABAMA, who headlined the event.

Most acts were scheduled to perform two songs each. ALABAMA was joined by special guests, the TUSCALOOSA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, and a children's choir from HOLY TRINITY WORLD OUTREACH MINISTRY.

ALABAMA frontman RANDY OWEN told the ASSOCIATED PRESS before the concert, “The weather is better and people tend to forget unless they are directly affected. So it's important that we tell the rest of the people who were luckier in that situation that the need is not over."

The BAMA RISING benefit lasted more than five hours, and concluded with a performance by several of the artists singing "My Home’s in Alabama."

The BAMA RISING FUND has been established at the COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GREATER BIRMINGHAM to support long-term recovery statewide. Decisions about how to deploy BAMA RISING concert proceeds and gifts to the BAMA RISING FUND will be made by an advisory committee including representatives of the artists, promoters and the COMMUNITY FOUNDATION.

For more info on BAMA RISING visit, www.bamarising.org.

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