October event to present one-of-a-kind lineup of Alabama music stars

Get ready for a monumental night of Alabama sound. A unique showcase is coming this October, bringing four icons of Alabama music together on one stage for an unforgettable blend of conversation and performance.

A Lineup of Alabama Legends

The event features a powerhouse roster of talent: Grammy-winning songstress Emmylou Harris, acclaimed singer-songwriter Will Kimbrough, country music staple Randy Owen, and funk pioneer Fred Wesley Jr.

These artists embody the incredible depth of talent hailing from the state. From Fort Payne native and Alabama frontman Randy Owen to Mobile's own trombonist Fred Wesley Jr.—who helped shape the funk movement alongside George Clinton—the stage will be packed with history. Birmingham’s own Emmylou Harris brings her legendary folk and country crossover expertise, while Mobile’s Will Kimbrough rounds out the group with his extensive resume as a producer and writer for acts like Jimmy Buffett.

Celebrating the Humanities

The common thread bringing these stars together is their selection for the Alabama Humanities Association’s 2026 class of Alabama Humanities Fellows. This elite group of honorees also includes Bill Baxley, Kathryn Braund, and Ashley M. Jones.

On Oct. 19, these musicians will headline “Celebrating the Music of America, Made in Alabama” at the historic Lyric Theatre in Birmingham. The evening promises a set of live music followed by an engaging discussion moderated by Burgin Mathews of the Southern Music Research Center.

Get Your Tickets

Tickets are currently available via Ticketmaster, with pricing between $30.76 and $82.31.

Beyond the musical fellows, the AHA is honoring the Alabama USA Semiquincentennial Commission with the Champion of the Humanities Award. Additionally, Joyce Cauthen of the Alabama Folklife Association will receive the 2026 Wayne and Sally Greenhaw Service to the Humanities Award. For more details on the event and the full list of honorees, visit alabamahumanities.org.