More than a dozen country music stars, including Brad Paisley, Sara Evans, and Little Big Town, will be in Birmingham on June 14th for a concert benefiting tornado relief efforts across Alabama.

“BAMA RISING: A Benefit Concert for Alabama Tornado Recovery,” presented by Verizon, will take place at Birmingham’s BJCC Arena on Tuesday, June 14. It will feature performances by the legendary musical group “Alabama” which is spearheading the event, plus Brad Paisley, Sara Evans, Sheryl Crow, and others (listed below.)

Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, May 20, at 11:00 a.m. CT. Ticket prices will range from $25 to $150. VIP packages will also be available.

Visit www.bamarising.org for more details.

Randy Owen of “Alabama” attended a news conference Tuesday morning in downtown Birmingham announcing the concert.

“My hope is that this will bring happiness and help to my fellow citizens in Alabama,” Owen stated. “I believe it’s extremely important that we do this benefit, and I want everyone in the state to feel like they are part of it. I hope we all can pull together to help get through the worst natural disaster I’ve ever seen in Alabama. I appreciate my friends in country music, everyone that’s been involved, and anyone that’s helped in any way.”

Organizers released the following list Tuesday morning of confirmed music performers, in alphabetical order:

• Alabama
• Rodney Atkins
• Dierks Bentley
• Bo Bice
• Luke Bryan
• Sheryl Crow
• Sara Evans
• Taylor Hicks
• Little Big Town
• Martina McBride
• Montgomery Gentry
• David Nail
• Jake Owen
• Brad Paisley
• Kellie Pickler
• Darius Rucker
• Ashton Shepherd

Proceeds from the concert will go to The Bama Rising Fund, which organizers said has been established at the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham to support long-term recovery statewide in the wake of the April 2011 tornadoes that devastated Alabama. Decisions about how to deploy Bama Rising concert proceeds and gifts to the Bama Rising Fund will be made by an advisory committee including representatives of the artists, promoters and the Community Foundation.

Kate Nielsen, president of the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, issued the following statement Tuesday:

“We are pleased to serve as the philanthropic partner for the talented artists who are committed to our state’s recovery through the Bama Rising concert. A sell-out crowd will help the Bama Rising team raise significant dollars for long-term recovery efforts across Alabama and show our citizens that we are committed to their future.”

Verizon has signed on as presenting sponsor for the event. Jeff Mango, president of the Georgia/Alabama Region of Verizon Wireless, said in a statement:

“The community’s response to the devastating tornadoes in Alabama has been truly inspiring, and we know that a natural disaster of this magnitude requires that response be sustained – so that the people in the community can thrive and in some cases, rebuild. That is why we are so proud to be involved in Bama Rising. Thanks to the generosity of so many who want to help, this unforgettable event will bring together people from across the great state of Alabama and beyond to support their friends, business associates and neighbors as they work for a common cause – to rebuild.”

In addition to ticket sales, funds will be raised through corporate sponsorships of the event. Organizers ask anyone wanting information on becoming a corporate sponsor to contact Jay Wilson at Red Mountain Entertainment, 205.585.2531 or jay@redmountainentertainment.com.

Visit www.bamarising.org for more details.

Country Girl wants you to be a Tattle Tale! Have you been to a country concert lately? Run into a country artist while out on the town? We want to hear all about your country music news and entertainment. Email me at countrygirl@countrymusictattletale.com