Introduction
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Alabama Fans Flock to Fort Payne as June Jam Returns With a Deeper Purpose
Fort Payne, Alabama, is once again buzzing with excitement as country music fans gather for the much-anticipated return of June Jam—a legendary concert event revived after a 26-year hiatus by the iconic country supergroup Alabama. But this weekend is about much more than just music. It’s about legacy, love, and giving back.
Among the weekend’s most heartfelt moments is a special fundraising event held at Cook Castle, the former home of Alabama’s late guitarist and fiddle player, Jeff Cook, and his beloved wife, Lisa. Their story is nothing short of a country fairytale—one that began in the early ’90s when Lisa, then a flight attendant, met Jeff, who was already a country music sensation. Their lives, worlds apart, collided into something beautiful.
After five years of dating, Jeff proposed just before June Jam 1995. The two married in front of the fireplace at Cook Castle, beginning a tradition of celebrating every June Jam together—often forgoing honeymoons to stay close to the fans and community Jeff adored.
But like many fairytales, theirs was not without sorrow. In 2012, Jeff was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and his health slowly declined. By 2017, touring was no longer possible, and Lisa stepped into the challenging role of full-time caregiver. In their final year together, Jeff and Lisa launched the Jeff and Lisa Cook Foundation to address a dire need—supporting and training professional caregivers, especially in rural areas like North Alabama.
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Saturday’s benefit at Cook Castle honors that mission. All proceeds go directly toward funding caregiver education and support, ensuring that Jeff’s legacy of kindness, music, and community lives on.
Later that day, June Jam will light up the VFW Fairgrounds, headlined by Alabama’s surviving members, Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry, and featuring performances by Jamie Johnson, The Oak Ridge Boys, Mark Wills, and more.
For fans, it’s not just a concert. It’s a tribute. To Jeff Cook. To love that lasts. And to the power of music to heal and bring people together.