FORT PAYNE, Ala. — May 28, 2026 — A milestone decades in the making became reality last night as the Randy Owen Center for the Performing Arts officially opened its doors, drawing a capacity crowd and marking a historic moment for Fort Payne, Jacksonville State University, and fans of the legendary band Alabama.
The grand‑opening celebration followed Tuesday’s ribbon‑cutting ceremony, where Alabama frontman and Fort Payne native **Randy Owen** spoke emotionally about the center’s purpose. Owen, a JSU alumnus and member of the university’s Board of Trustees, said his hope is that the center becomes a place where young people discover their voice and their dreams. “I’m very thankful; I’m very humbled,” he said. “My wish is that some kid will come through here like me… and leave here with a dream.”
JSU President Dr. Don C. Killingsworth, Jr. called the center a long‑awaited home for student creativity, noting that the facility will finally give students a professional space to perform, record, and grow. “We finally have a place where our students’ talents can be displayed,” Killingsworth said.
Last night’s event featured performances by Randy Owen, special guests, and musicians connected to the university and the community. The celebration also served as a fundraiser to support future programming, scholarships, and arts education initiatives tied to the center.
Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, a longtime friend of Owen, praised the center’s long‑term impact on the region. “What will come out of this for generations to come will change lives,” Ledbetter said. “There are children who haven’t been born yet who will benefit from what this facility provides.”
The Randy Owen Center will host concerts, masterclasses, recording sessions, community events, and student showcases. JSU Student Government Association President Bethany Stoots said the building will become “part of countless memories, traditions, and moments that students will carry with them long after graduation.”
With its opening night now in the books, the Randy Owen Center stands as a tribute not only to the music and legacy of one of Alabama’s most beloved artists, but also to the spirit of possibility that defines Fort Payne — a small town with a big story, and now, a world‑class performing arts center to match.
