The June Jam XVIII music festival, hosted by legendary country group Alabama, drew thousands of fans from around the country to Fort Payne on Saturday, but it also drew some decidedly more influential political attendees.

Many politicians have taken note of North Alabama's growing political influence, and that was on full display when House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) and Senate Majority Leader Steve Livingston (R-Scottsboro) hosted many of their prominent legislators and public officials in their districts for a first-class VIP concert experience.

“It's always a pleasure to see Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry put on a great show and raise money for charity at the same time. Thanks to the performers, volunteers, and the thousands of fans who came out in the rain to make this one of the best June Jam shows ever. Until next year!” pic.twitter.com/k1yVjRhgJO

— Nathaniel Ledbetter (@RepLedbetter) June 4, 2024

Sen. Tommy Tuberville attended June Jam with his family and spent much of the day shaking hands and posing for photos with the many fans who gathered, despite light rain falling at the DeKalb County VFW Fairgrounds, where the event was held.

The former Auburn University football head coach was hugely popular among country music fans, who tend to be politically conservative by nature.

It was a great day at the 2024 June Jam Music Festival in Fort Payne, Alabama.

I had fun going to see my friend, Speaker of the House Nathaniel Leadbetter, and Les Taylor, lead singer of Exile, one of my favorite country bands of all time. pic.twitter.com/05HtFPRpyU

— Coach Tommy Tuberville (@SenTuberville) June 2, 2024

State Treasurer Young Boozer and Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth were in attendance and were seen wearing jeans, boots, cowboy hats and traditional Western shirts.

Fort Payne's June Jam is an annual event that raises money for disaster relief and those in need, and my family enjoyed the opportunity to hear the lineup selected by the band ALABAMA and spend time with many of our closest friends, including chairs Nathaniel Leadbetter and Connie Rowe. pic.twitter.com/QEqpHxR4b4

— Will Ainsworth (@willainsworthAL) June 2, 2024

Notable lawmakers enjoying the event included House Rules Chairman Joe Lovebourn (R-Auburn), House Ways and Means Education Committee Chairman Danny Garrett (R-Trussville), House Ways and Means General Fund Committee Chairman Rex Reynolds (R-Hazel Greene), House Economic Development and Tourism Committee Chairman Andy Witt (R-Harvest), House Transportation, Public Works and Infrastructure Chairman Randall Shedd (R-Baileyton), House Fiscal Accountability Committee Chairman Philip Pettus (R-Killen), House Financial Services Committee Chairman Chris Blackshear (R-Phenix City), House Health Committee Chairman Paul Lee (R-Dothan), and House Children and Seniors Advocacy Committee Chairman Ginny Shaver (R-Leesburg).

State Sen. Jack Williams (R-Willmar), who is rumored to be a possible candidate for Agriculture Chairman, was also in attendance.

Alabama created June Jam as a charity event in 1982 and it was held annually for 16 years before going on a 25-year hiatus. The event was revived in 2023 by surviving group members Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry. Founding member Jeff Cook passed away in 2022.

Since its inception, the event has raised more than $20 million for charities, disaster relief efforts and veteran support.

At its peak in 1991, June Jam drew an estimated 67,000 concert-goers, and past events have featured artists such as Garth Brooks, Charlie Daniels, Alan Jackson, The Judds, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, Dolly Parton, Trisha Yearwood and Willie Nelson.

The current June Jam limits tickets sold each year to about 12,000, and groups performing in 2024 include six-time ACM and CMA “Group of the Year” winners Old Dominion, Jamey Johnson, Shenandoah, Lee Greenwood, Montgomery Gentry featuring Eddie Montgomery, Mark Wills, Exile, John Berry, Taylor Hicks, The Malpass Brothers and The Castellos.

Alabama, considered the most successful country music group in history with 41 No. 1 singles on the country charts and over 75 million records sold, closed the show at the end of the day, as they have done at every previous June Jam.

Grayson Everett is the state and politics editor for Yellow Hammer News. You can follow him on Twitter. Grayson