Concert series ‘great’ for city

The curtain was drawn for the last July Jamz concert event Thursday night at Springdale.

Families and folks from all over braved the bad weather to soak in the last remnants of what became a popular draw for many.

The Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce was the event’s main sponsor. July Jamz was held each Thursday night in July and highlighted different local musical talent, along with having a foam cannon and Kona ice for the kids.

Chamber Executive Director Chrissie Duffy said the event has been wonderful for the city.

“This has been great,” Duffy said. “I had no expectations leading into this. I listened to requests from the community for more to do. I worked the Candyland event last year, and I wanted something in the summer, too.

“Summer is the time of year when luckily everybody has some free time, which is not the case,” she said. “Our schedules get so busy at other times of the year.”

Duffy said the idea for July Jamz came to her in the spring.

“We went to the city (of Andalusia) and said look, ‘This is something we really wanted to do, and we have no idea how this is going to go,’” she said.

With a lot of hard work in a short amount of time, Duffy and her team put the event together.

Musical acts that have graced the stage in front of Springdale include the Carroll Williams Band, 10-6 Upstairs, Kat Dean, Jamal Curry and Issues. Last night, Jared Sellers and The Doctors and the Lawyers provided the entertainment. All musical acts are locally based. Red Level-based Lifeway Productions provided the sound equipment and lighting.

“We wanted to feature local talent,” Duffy said. “Anybody we want to hire or was brought to us, we wanted it to be local to keep the money we spend recirculating throughout the community.”

Sitting not far from the stage, Scott Wilkes, who lives just outside of Opp, said he’s enjoyed the concert series.

“I’ve enjoyed it a lot, especially last week when my buddy Greg Windham played (with the Carroll Williams Band),” Wilkes said.

Wilkes said his favorite part about the events have been the music and the environment, which is perfect for the kids.

For Andalusia residents Kristin Long and Lori Godwin, July Jamz has been great for their children.

“We’ve loved it,” Long said. “The kids have really liked it. They love the foam cannon.

“The kids are safe, and I don’t have to watch them.”

Godwin said her favorite part of the events has been the family atmosphere.

“It’s also a good time to relax,” Godwin said.

Long said the perfect end to every Jamz is the fireworks.

Duffy said her main goal for July Jamz was to bring something fun for people to come out and bring their families.

“Some of my favorite times have stemmed around live music, and I feel like that’s a common thread that we have,” Duffy said. “I feel like everybody loves listening to live music.”

When asked if the chamber has already started gearing up for next year’s July Jamz, Duffy said it’s in the works.

“Obviously,” she said.