Introduction:
This weekend, the quiet town of Fort Payne, Alabama, is alive with energy and emotion as thousands of country music fans gather to celebrate the long-awaited return of June Jam. After a 26-year hiatus, the legendary country supergroup Alabama is bringing back the beloved music festival, and this year, it carries a message far beyond music — a message rooted in love, resilience, and legacy.
At the heart of this homecoming is a touching tribute to one of Alabama’s founding members, Jeff Cook, whose story of love and perseverance continues to inspire. This morning at 10:00 a.m., a special event at Cook Castle will raise funds for the Jeff and Lisa Cook Foundation, an organization born from Jeff’s personal journey with Parkinson’s disease and the deep bond he shared with his wife, Lisa.
Lisa met Jeff in 1990, when she was a flight attendant and he was already a country music icon. Against the odds, their love blossomed, and after five years of dating, they exchanged vows in front of the fireplace at Cook Castle — the night before June Jam 1995. From that moment on, June Jam was not only a celebration of music, but also a celebration of their marriage and shared life.
For 28 years, they faced everything together with laughter and strength. But in 2012, Jeff was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Even as his condition worsened, Jeff continued to perform with Alabama until 2017. Lisa became his primary caregiver — a role that opened her eyes to the serious shortage of professional caretakers and the emotional and financial toll it places on families.
In response, Jeff and Lisa founded their nonprofit to train and support caregivers, ensuring others receive the compassion and support they need. Lisa, fulfilling a promise she made to Jeff before he passed, continues this mission with grace and determination. As she says, Jeff had one rule: “Never let the music stop, or the party end.”
Today’s fundraiser at Cook Castle is a celebration of that legacy. Every dollar raised goes directly to the foundation to help train caregivers and inspire a new generation to take on this meaningful, but often overlooked, profession.
Later in the day, the main June Jam concert kicks off at 1:00 p.m. at the VFW Fairgrounds, featuring surviving Alabama members Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry, joined by an all-star lineup including Jamey Johnson, The Oak Ridge Boys, Mark Wills, Neal McCoy, and more.
Tickets are still available via Ticketmaster, and fans are encouraged to come not just for the music, but for the message — a celebration of life, love, and the enduring power of country music to bring people together for something greater than themselves.