Alan Jackson Raises $2 Million / To Perform on 4th of July

Alan Jackson’s “Where I Come From” benefit concert for his hometown of Newnan, Georgia held on Saturday, June 26th at the Coweta County Fairgrounds raised an estimated $2 million for disaster relief efforts in the region. On March 26th, 2021, an EF4 tornado ripped through Newnan and the surrounding area, completely destroying some 70 homes, and damaging another 1,700 others.

When Alan Jackson heard about the tragedy, he stepped up to help organize the benefit. Jackson was born and raised in Newnan with his four sisters in a house converted around his grandfather’s old tool shed. In downtown Newnan, a 20 x 40-foot mural of Jackson is displayed on the side of a building.

Along with proceeds from ticket sales and folks donating online while watching the event on Facebook, Cornerstone Building pledged over $500,000 to the rebuilding efforts, including building materials for Habitat for Humanity, and presented the Coweta Community Foundation with a check for $100,000 to support tornado relief efforts. Title sponsor Southtowne Chevrolet based in Newnan, also donated $105,000 to the cause.

“It’s good to be back down here in my hometown of Newnan, Georgia,” Jackson said durning the event. “I’m from Newnan…my wife, Denise, is from Newnan…we were both born and raised here…and all of our childhood and young adult memories come from this area. When we saw what that tornado did coming through here a few months ago, it broke my heart. It broke Denise’s heart. We had relatives affected by it and friends. The high school that we went to got hit. I was hoping we’d be able to do something to try to help down here and…it’s just been amazing how this community came together to make this happen.”

Along with the nearly 2-hour concert from Alan Jackson, Will Finley, Corbette Jackson, Jered Ames, Big City Brian Wright, as well as Alan Jackson’s nephew Adam Wright, Caylee Hammack, and Chris Young all performed during the day-long event.

“A lot of people dedicated their time here, volunteering. It takes a lot to put on a show this big, and we really are grateful for all the help.”

Alan Jackson has been a very busy man since releasing his first album in six years called Where Have You Gone in May. Along with the tornado benefit, he also appeared at the annual Memorial Day concert in Washington on the National Mall, and will also be appearing on “A Capitol 4th” on the 4th of July that will be broadcast on all PBS stations. Check local listings.