Randy Owen's Dream Takes Center Stage at Jacksonville State!

"As long as God lets me live, I want to do things that make a difference in the world besides play music.” That's the motto country music legend Randy Owen has lived by, and now, it's reaching a crescendo!

From raising mega-bucks for St. Jude's to helping his alma mater recover from devastating storms, Owen has always turned success into service. Now, get ready for the big reveal: The Randy Owen Center for the Performing Arts at Jacksonville State University!

A Cultural Boom for Northeast Alabama

This ain't just another building, folks. It's a major cultural investment in a region better known for its music royalty than grand performance halls. Think performance venue meets arts education powerhouse!

Ribbon Cutting & Big Dreams

University leaders, bright-eyed students, and the Owen family (standing ovation!) gathered for the grand opening of this state-of-the-art facility. Jax State says it'll be a hub for performances, arts education, recording instruction, and community events for generations.

ROC: Rockin' Investment

The ROC is one of Jax State's biggest investments in the arts, giving students a chance to shine, record, and unleash their creativity. And it's bringing nationally-known talent to Northeast Alabama!

Jax State President Dr. Don C. Killingsworth Jr. is stoked: "We finally have a place where our students' talents can be displayed!"

But for Randy Owen? It's personal. "My wishes, and my hopes, and my dreams are that someday some kid will come through here, like me, and when they leave here, they have a dream," he said. "Because if I can make it, anybody can."

The Lineup!

Hold on to your hats, the 2026-2027 inaugural season is gonna be HUGE! We're talking The Dan Tyminski Band, Sixpence None the Richer, The Secret Sisters, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents: World on a String – Swinging Songs of Broadway!

Plus, there'll be student-centered shows, stuff related to The Magic School Bus and The Questioneers, and tons of Jax State music showcases.

Sold-Out Celebration!

The grand opening party continued with a sold-out "Live in Concert: Randy Owen and Friends" bash!

For Randy Owen, this center is more than bricks and mortar. It's a chance for future students – especially those with big dreams from small towns – to find talents they never knew they had. What a legend!