BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Alabama’s MOJO roared into the new year on Thursday night in Birmingham when Jamey Johnson and Megan Moroney performed an unforgettable one-night-only acoustic show at The Social at the Fennec that raised $315,000 for their respective charities.
The show’s name, MOJO, was derived from a blend of the first two letters of each artist’s last names. About 260 people gathered on a cold Birmingham night and enjoyed a dinner spread and live auction. The event was hosted by radio personality Storme Warren of The Big 615.
The fundraiser benefitted Jamey and Brittney Johnson’s Give It Away Foundation, which supports charities close to their hearts and those that help communities during times of crisis, as well as The Megan Moroney Foundation, which focuses on combating bullying and promoting mental health awareness.
Auction items included two alligator hunts at $9,000 each, three hog hunts totaling $21,000, and a pair of Moroney’s autographed personal boots for $4,500. A custom hand-tooled saddle by famed leather craftsman Cody Hixon was purchased for $14,000 by Jimmy John’s founder Jimmy John Liautaud, who immediately donated it back to be auctioned again — bringing in another $14,000.
“The Give It Away Foundation exists so that we can help people we see that are in need,” Johnson says. “Somebody’s house burns down and we need to find them a hotel to stay in for a few months, or someone has another hardship and they just need a helping hand.”
The show also celebrated a personal connection between the two artists. Moroney’s father retired from Birmingham’s O’Neal Steel, where Johnson worked before finding success in country music. They discovered the connection outside the Grand Ole Opry. “When we realized that connection, we thought it would be so fun to go down to Birmingham and do a show together,” Moroney says.
Two of the night’s most powerful moments came when the two united their voices on Don Williams’ “Till the Rivers All Run Dry” and John Prine’s iconic “Angel from Montgomery.” Johnson closed the show with “In Color,” named Song of the Year by both the CMA and ACM.
“We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support we received,” Brittney Johnson shared. “We were proud to team up with Megan for our first fundraising event and help support her mission of mental health awareness.”
