Home Free and Sixwire Join Lineup for #JSUStrong 'Alabama & Friends' Tornado Relief Concert

Country groups Home Free and Sixwire have signed on to join a star-studded lineup of artists for the Alabama & Friends #JSUStrongtornado relief concert benefiting Jacksonville State University (JSU).

On September 26, 2018, Home Free and Sixwire join ALABAMA, Charlie Daniels,Shenandoah, Jamey Johnson, John Berry and Gordon Mote in Jacksonville, AL for the special live concert organized to help raise funds for the college university that suffered extensive tornado damage earlier this year. The concert will also feature Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit who cleaned up at last week's 2018 Americana Music Awards, taking home trophies for Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Duo/Group of the Year. Comedian Darren Knight "Southern Momma" will perform his hilarious comedy routine, while SiriusXM's Storme Warren will emcee. The event will be the year's largest ticketed stadium concert in Northern Alabama.

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. Fortunately, there was no loss of life however millions of dollars in damage was reported following the storm.

Nationwide Insurance (Randy Jones & Associates, Inc.) is the presenting sponsor of the evening. Platinum sponsors: Dr. Pepper (official drink of the show), Ford, Alabama Power Foundation, Alfa Insurance, Marc and Mary Angle, Ken and Jenny Howell,Trycon Tufters. Gold sponsors: Jim and Gina Byars Nolen, Thomas Dedrick,Raymond James, Webb Concrete & Building Materials. With these generous sponsors onboard to cover the concert's expenses, 100% of the evening's proceeds will go to Jacksonville State University. Collectively, these local companies and individuals have donated more than 300k in sponsorship dollars.

The rain or shine event begins at 6:00 p.m. CT. A limited number of tickets remain available for purchase at Ticketfly.com or by calling 877-4FLY-TIX.

Celebrated all-vocal country quintet Home Free have made their mark on the music scene selling more than 350,000 copies combined of their popular albums, embarking on major national and international tours, amassing over 240 million YouTube views, and being declared "Country music fans' favorite a cappella group" (Taste of Country). Their latest studio album, TIMELESS, debuted at #2 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart in late 2017. Produced by longtime collaborator Darren Rust, the eclectic project showcases their distinct vocal blends across 11 tracks, featuring four original songs, which merge tender R&B and fun-loving Pop with Country edge. Their extensive catalog spotlights four Top 10 albums, including FULL OF (EVEN MORE) CHEER, FULL OF CHEER, COUNTRY EVOLUTION, and their breakout debut CRAZY LIFE (2014), which hit #1 on iTunes Country chart and #4 overall following their victory on NBC's The Sing-Off. With praise rolling in from the likes of Perez Hilton, Country Living, FOX & Friends, Rolling Stone Country, AXS.com, and more, the five-man band from Minnesota has been electrifying crowds with their one-of-a-kind live show while their reputation as extraordinary showmen and harmony-laden versions of hits by John Mayer, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Maren Morris, The Oak Ridge Boys, and more, have built a loyal fanbase.

For more information on Home Free, visit homefreemusic.com.

Sixwire's first Warner Brothers Records album release debuted in the Top 30, and spawned the chart hits "Look At Me Now" and "Way To Deep." Touring followed with the top artists of that time, and included appearances with Tim McGRaw, Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride, Phil Vassar, and others. Sixwire members served as the house band on USA Network's Nashville Star for three seasons, then temporarily relocated to Los Angeles where they were featured on FOX's The Next Great American Band. Sixwire returned to Nashville to become the house band for CMT's Can You Duet and CMT's Next Superstar. A call from ABC and Lion's Gate landed the members of Sixwire in a different role, as the backing band for character 'Rayna Jaymes' played by actress Connie Britton on ABC's dramatic series, Nashville. The series filmed entirely on location in Nashville, and members of Sixwire were seen regularly in scenes with Britton, and also with co-star Charles Esten, who played the character 'Deacon Claybourne.' Sixwire joined Esten and many other cast members on tour when not filming, throughout the television show's six-year run.

For more information on Sixwire, visit sixwireonline.com.

Outback Concerts is an independent, full-service concert and comedy promoter based in Nashville, TN. In addition to producing hundreds of concerts and events each year, ranging from clubs to arenas across the country and Canada, Outback Concerts also produces the Nashville Comedy Festival, and #JSUStrong, the upcoming benefit concert at Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL at Burgess-Snow Football Stadium. The concert will feature the legendary ALABAMA, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Charlie Daniels, and more. The company also exclusively books SMG's Cary's Booth Amphitheatre in Cary, NC. Outback Concerts President Mike Smardak was a 2011 inductee of the IEBA Hall of Fame. In November of 2016, Mike Smardak was honored with a distinguished NATD Award alongside Nashville's most recognized members of the entertainment industry. In March of 2018, Smardak was honored by the T.J. Martell Foundation with the Tony Martell Outstanding Entertainment Achievement Award. Promoter Andrew Farwell was voted IEBA Rookie of the Year in 2014.

For more information on Outback Concerts, visit outbackconcerts.com.

Image: Home Free / Photo credit: David McClister

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