By Bonita Wilborn
Country Music Hall of Fame group Alabama donated $25,000 to aid those affected by the flooding in Kentucky during a concert held on Saturday, August 6, 2022, in Sharpsburg, Kentucky.
Alabama performed at the Barnyard Venue. After their performance, Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry presented a $25,000 check to The Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, a non-profit organization providing financial help to eastern Kentucky families, farms, and businesses suffering from the floodwaters.
In late July, at least 37 people died from flooding in the Appalachian region of Kentucky. This flooding event dumped more than ten inches of rain on the state, causing washed-out roads and bridges, downed power lines, and no air conditioning during the hottest part of the summer. Many residents were stranded in their homes, and about 420 people had to be rescued by helicopter or boat.
According to Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, in early August, approximately 5,600 Kentucky residents were still without power, and 18,000 homes and businesses were without water, an additional 45,600 customers were under a boil water advisory, numerous people remained stranded in rural areas as a result of roads being washed away, with the only access in some instances being by ATV. Infrastructure problems caused difficulty in pinpointing the number of missing people in the days after the event.
About Country Music Hall of Fame group Alabama:
In the half-century since Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry, and Jeff Cook started playing music, the group has sold more than 80 million albums, achieved 43 #1 singles (including 21 #1 singles in a row), won dozens of awards from Billboard, the Grammy’s, the Country Music Association, Academy of Country Music, American Music Awards, and the People’s Choice Awards. They are members of the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Musicians Hall of Fame and have their own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Owen and Gentry recently performed at the opening ceremonies of the World Games. Due to health issues, Jeff Cook has retired from regularly performing.
The group Alabama has been well known throughout their careers for their efforts to raise millions of dollars for various charities. This latest donation was made through the group’s June Jam Foundation, their non-profit, to distribute money to other non-profit organizations and service groups. The June Jam Foundation continues to raise funds for great causes from events held during Fan Appreciation Week. The Country Cares initiative alone has raised nearly $1 billion for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
For more information, visit thealabamaband.com.
