Introduction
SWEET HOME ALABAMA: The Legends Return to Fort Payne Roots for a Historic 2026 Concert
The echoes of the Appalachian foothills are about to get a lot louder. In an announcement that has sent ripples of excitement through the heart of Dixie, Live Nation officially confirmed on Tuesday that the legendary country band Alabama is coming home. In what is being hailed as the most significant musical homecoming of the decade, the group will take the stage at the Coca-Cola Amphitheater in Birmingham for a massive performance in 2026.
For fans of the genre, this isn’t just another tour date—it is a pilgrimage. Founded in the small town of Fort Payne, Alabama, the band didn’t just play country music; they redefined it. By blending traditional bluegrass and gospel roots with a rock-and-roll edge, they became the soundtrack of a generation. Now, founding members Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry are set to prove that their harmonies are as timeless as the state they are named after.
A Lineup Rooted in Southern Soul
The 2026 show promises to be an emotional journey through a catalog of hits that define the American experience. From the high-energy fiddle of “If You’re Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band)” to the soulful resonance of “Mountain Music,” Owen and Gentry are preparing a setlist that celebrates over five decades of dominance on the charts.
Adding even more “home-state” weight to the event, the opening act is a titan of modern outlaw country: Jamey Johnson. An Alabama native himself, Johnson’s gritty, authentic storytelling makes him the perfect bridge between the band’s legendary legacy and the future of the genre. Seeing Johnson share a bill with his idols in their home state is a “once-in-a-lifetime” occurrence that fans have been dreaming of for years.
The Legacy Lives On
Since their humble beginnings playing for tips at Myrtle Beach, the band Alabama has amassed over 73 million albums sold and 43 number-one hits. However, despite the global fame and the Hollywood Walk of Fame star, the band has always maintained that their hearts never left the “Yellowhammer State.”
“There is a different kind of energy when you play for the people who grew up on the same red clay as you,” a representative for the band noted. “Birmingham isn’t just a stop on a map; it’s family.”
As 2026 approaches, the Coca-Cola Amphitheater is expected to be a sea of denim and cowboy hats, filled with thousands of voices singing along to “My Home’s in Alabama.” Tickets are expected to sell out in record time as three generations of fans gather to witness the kings of country music reclaim their throne in the land that started it all.