As part of our 2026 Alabama Colloquium series, AHA will honor four legendary Alabama musicans whose impact goes far beyond this state’s borders. On October 19, at Birmingham’s Lyric Theatre, we’ll celebrate these new Alabama Humanities Fellows: Emmylou Harris, Will Kimbrough, Randy Owen, and Fred Wesley.
Purchase ticketsThe Alabama Colloquium series
October 19, 2026 | 6:30pm
Lyric Theatre | Birmingham
On the stage of Birmingham’s historic Lyric Theatre, we’ll gather to celebrate the contributions of four iconic Alabama musicians to American storytelling and culture. Each honoree will share stories, and a selection of songs, from their careers.
Program highlights:
—A short set of music, featuring songs performed by each of our newest Alabama Humanities Fellows: Emmylou Harris, Will Kimbrough, Randy Owen, and Fred Wesley
—A conversation between our Fellows, moderated by Burgin Mathews, founding director of the Southern Music Research Center
—Presentations of awards to our Fellows, by Allison Moorer (Harris), Kate Campbell (Kimbrough), the Hon. Nathaniel Ledbetter (Owen), and Coleman Woodson Jr. (Wesley)
On October 19, 2026, four Alabama musicians will be recognized with the highest humanities honor in the state. As talented as these artists are musically, the title of Alabama Humanities Fellow means something a little different.
We often say that, at its heart, this honor is for Alabamians who challenge us to examine what it means to be human. Who help us see our shared humanity and explore the full range of the human experience. Who mine our history, enrich our culture, and bring us together.
This year’s Fellows use their music — their composing and their songwriting — to do just that. They tell stories of joy and grief, pain and truth, past and present.
And we can’t wait to hear what they have to say on stage. Scroll down for more on our honorees!
But, first, a note on our other special guests:
Our appreciation to our many sponsors for making this event possible, especially our presenting sponsor, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama.
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Born in Birmingham, Harris’ mother’s family goes back generations in the state. Her grandfather gave Harris her first guitar for her 16th birthday — from a Birmingham pawn shop. Today, she’s a 14-time Grammy winner and an icon of American music.
Will Kimbrough grew up in Mobile and his Alabama roots have infused his work as a renowned musician, lyricist, and producer. He’s written with a global all-star roster of musicians, as well as with American veterans through SongwritingWith:Soldiers.
A beloved son of Fort Payne, Randy Owen has spent a lifetime sharing Alabama storytelling with the world. He is a founding member of the legendary country band Alabama, and he continues to pour his support into the arts and culture in his home state.
Mobile native Fred Wesley has become a music legend through his work with James Brown, George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, and more. THe jazz trombonist not only became a founding father of funk but a key contributor to the sound and soul of hip hop.