Home Calendar

Senator Lamar Alexander Book Signing and Conversation Celebrating New Memoir

First 50 guests will be gifted a book

Senator Lamar Alexander will be at the Jackson Theatre for a special evening to celebrate the release of his new memoir, The Education of a Senator: From JFK to Trump, an instant New York Times bestseller.

The evening will feature Alexander in conversation with Jonesborough Mayor Kelly Wolfe and former television journalist Josh Smith. Alexander will also sign books.

Alexander is a former Tennessee governor, U.S. senator, U.S. secretary of education and university president. His memoir covers his nearly six decades in public life, when he saw the public arena from as many angles as any living American, and paints insider portraits of the ten presidents he worked with.

A seventh generation Tennessean, Alexander lives in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains near Maryville where he grew up. 

Event details

WHEN: June 18. Reception beginning at 5:30 pm. Program begins at 6 pm. Book signing afterward.

WHERE: Jackson Theatre, 121 W Main St, Jonesborough, TN 37659

The event is free and open to the public with the first 50 people in attendance (at the book signing) getting a free copy of Alexander’s book. Feel free to bring your own copy of the book to have Senator Alexander sign.

The Producers (2005)

 Wacky Wednesday

 Remake of the classic about two would-be theatrical mogulsturned con men.

 Starring Nathan Lane,Matthew Broderick, Uma Thurman and Will Ferrell

Rated PG-13

Running Time 134 minutes

Tales of Our 250^th: A Jonesborough History Variety Show

Pay What you Can

Join the Jackson Theatre and the McKinney Center for a series of programs celebrating local history and America’s 250^th birthday. Tales of Our 250^th includes skits, historians, re-enactors, musicians, and much more in a tapestry of Jonesborough stories and community history. These events will run June-October and start at 7:00 pm. They are Pay What You Can but go ahead and reserve your seats at Jonesborough.com/tickets.

Each evening will include a scene or scenes from the original play The First and Last Town in Tennessee, written by Anne G’Fellers-Mason, which premiered earlier this year at the McKinney Center and was featured in The New York Times. Join Jonesborough historian Paul Fink, portrayed by Tim Herron, as he walks you through the big and small moments that make Jonesborough an important part of the American story.

Programming dates and times are listed below. Acts are subject to change. Each performance starts at 7pm will last about 90 minutes.

June 25^th – Embracing the Past: Historic Preservation in Jonesborough with a presentation by Dr. William Kennedy and a performance by local band The Ozone Rangers

July 23^rd – Forging a New Nation: Revolutionary War History featuring re-enactors from Sycamore Shoals and a performance by the Watauga Valley Fife and Drum Corps

August 20^th – The Road to Freedom: African American History in Jonesborough including a special presentation of the original and award-winning play Nancy, presented by the Heritage Alliance

September 24^th – The Lost State of Franklin with a presentation by Dr. William Hardy from MTSU and the stories behind the Battle of the State of Franklin with Tipton Haynes State Historic Site

October 22^nd – A House Divided: Civil War History in Jonesborough with a presentation by Dr. Tom Lee form ETSU and a performance by the 52^nd Regimental String Band

This programming is supported in part by the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial.

Join us at the Jackson Theatre on Friday, June 26th at 7pm for Ballad Health & Jackson's Prime presents The Nelons and Weeks Revival.

An unforgettable night of faith, family and music present by Ballad Health and Jackson's Prime. Join us for an extraordinary evening as The Nelons bring their world-renowned harmonies to Historic Downtown Jonesborough. Known for their captivating blend of gospel, hymns, Americana, and inspirational music, this award-winning family group delivers more than a concert- it's an experience. Led by Kelly Nelon Clark and Jason Clark, alongside their daughters Amber and Autumn, their rich harmonies and heartfelt message of hope have inspired audiences across the globe. Every note reflects excellence, authenticity, and the power of family.

We're also proud to introduce Weeks Revival- a dynamic trio of JJ Weeks, Mark Clay, and Benjamin Scott. Rooted in Southern Gospel and shaped by decades of ministry, they bring a fresh yet deeply traditional sound filled with conviction, testimony, and joy. Backed by a full band, their performance is both powerful and personal, delivering music that connects deeply and uplifts every listener.

For tickets, visit thejacksontheatre.com. 

Join us at the Jackson Theatre on Saturday, June 27, 2026 at 7pm for Rodney Crowell.

Rodney Crowell – Airline Highway

On his vibrant 20th studio album, Airline Highway, Rodney Crowell explores love, memory, and musical kinship with a new generation of roots artists. Produced with Tyler Bryant and recorded live at Dockside Studio in Louisiana, the album captures a spontaneous spirit—blending Crowell’s storytelling prowess with contributions from Lukas Nelson, Ashley McBryde, Charlie Starr, and Larkin Poe. Inspired by the swamp-pop sounds of his youth and recorded in the heart of Cajun country, Airline Highway reflects on the past while celebrating the present. From the rollicking homage “The Twenty-One Song Salute” to the haunting closer “Somewhere Down the Road,” Crowell delivers a wise, joyful meditation on legacy and letting go.

Two-Time Grammy Winner – Including Best Country Song for “After All This Time”

Songwriting Legend – Penned hits for Emmylou Harris, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Rosanne Cash, Keith Urban, and more

Over 40 Years of Acclaimed Releases – From his 1978 debut Ain’t Living Long Like This to his vibrant 2025 release Airline Highway

Chart-Topping Success – 1988's Diamonds & Dirt produced an unprecedented five consecutive #1 singles on the country charts

Member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (inducted 2003)

Critically Acclaimed Collaborations – Including Old Yellow Moon and The Traveling Kind with Emmylou Harris (Grammy-winning & Grammy-nominated respectively)

Airline Highway features Ashley McBryde, Lukas Nelson, Larkin Poe, and Charlie Starr

Published Author – Chinaberry Sidewalks (memoir, 2011) earned praise from The New York Times

Genre-Spanning Influence – A bridge between classic outlaw country, Americana, and contemporary songwriting craft

Still Breaking Ground – Celebrating his 20th studio album in 2025 with Airline Highway, described as “a document of falling in love with music all over again”

For tickets, visit thejacksontheatre.com.