PRESS RELEASE: Alan Walden Memorial Weekend to Honor a Legacy of Music, Recovery, Love, and Community

ALAN WALDEN MEMORIAL WEEKEND TO HONOR A LEGACY OF MUSIC, RECOVERY, LOVE AND COMMUNITY

September 19–20 observance during Georgia Music Month and National Recovery Month begins with Team Alan & Tosha at Passionate Grace’s Color Me Graceful 5K and continues with “Alan Walden: A Life Well Played” at The Society Garden

MACON, Ga. — Family, friends, musicians, music industry colleagues and admirers from across Georgia and beyond are invited to gather in Macon to honor the life and far-reaching legacy of legendary music executive Alan Walden during Alan Walden Memorial Weekend, September 19–20, 2026.

Taking place during both Georgia Music Month and National Recovery Month, the two-day observance brings together two significant parts of Alan’s story — a music career that helped shape Georgia’s internationally recognized Southern music legacy and a deeply personal connection to recovery — alongside the family, friendships, community and love that defined his life.

The weekend also carries special meaning for Alan’s wife, Tosha, with whom he shared 38 years, including nearly 30 years of marriage. September 20 would have marked their 30th wedding anniversary.

The weekend begins Saturday, September 19, with Passionate Grace, Inc.’s Color Me Graceful: A 5K Run for Recovery at Georgia Premier Cross Country Course in Macon.

Those wishing to participate in Alan’s honor may register as part of Team Alan & Tosha, joining family, friends and supporters in recognizing Alan’s personal connection to recovery and his support of Passionate Grace’s mission prior to his passing.

Held during National Recovery Month, the event is open to runners, walkers, families and community supporters. Check-in begins at 8:00 a.m., with the race starting at 9:00 a.m.

Passionate Grace, Inc. is working to develop structured recovery housing and long-term stabilization support for adult men rebuilding their lives following addiction. Through Team Alan & Tosha, participants can honor an important part of Alan’s story while helping create opportunities for others pursuing lasting recovery and a new chapter in life.

The remembrance continues Sunday, September 20, from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. with “Alan Walden: A Life Well Played — 30 Years of Love • Music • Mayhem” at The Society Garden.

Fittingly held during Georgia Music Month, the free public Celebration of Life will bring together family, friends, musicians, colleagues and fans for an evening of live music, stories, laughter and memories honoring Alan’s extraordinary life, relationships and influence on Georgia music and beyond.

Roger Walden will serve as co-host and emcee, while longtime friend Chris Hicks will serve as co-host and musical director, helping lead the evening’s performances.

Loose Change will be among the featured performers. The announced lineup also includes Last Living Souls, Charlie Wooten Project, Lizella Reign, Freebird Atlanta, 2 Lane Blacktop, Rachel Forehand and Willie Morris, along with additional guests and performances.

The Sunday celebration will also feature a silent auction of music memorabilia from Alan Walden’s personal collection, offering attendees a rare opportunity to own pieces tied directly to his life, career and decades in the music industry.

Admission to Sunday’s Celebration of Life is free and open to the public, with donations accepted during the event.

Throughout the weekend, commemorative Alan Walden merchandise and copies of his memoir, Southern Man: Music and Mayhem in the American South, will be available to the public.

The public can honor Alan and stand beside Tosha throughout the weekend by joining Team Alan & Tosha for Saturday’s 5K Run/Walk, attending Sunday’s Celebration of Life, participating in the silent auction, purchasing commemorative merchandise or copies of Alan’s memoir, or contributing to the Alan Walden Memorial Fund.

Together, the two days offer a fitting September tribute to the many chapters of Alan Walden’s life — music, recovery, love, friendship and community — while recognizing the lasting mark he left on Georgia music and the deeply personal legacy carried forward by those who knew and loved him.

ABOUT ALAN WALDEN

Roger Alan Walden Sr. was born May 23, 1943, in Macon and died July 16, 2026, at age 83 following a battle with cancer.

Walden entered the music business as a young man and went on to build a decades-long career as a manager, promoter, publisher and entrepreneur. He worked with and helped guide artists including Otis Redding, Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Outlaws, becoming an important figure in the development of the soul and Southern rock movements that helped place Macon and Georgia on the international music map.

He was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 2003.

ALAN WALDEN MEMORIAL WEEKEND

September 19–20, 2026

Run • Remember • Rock On

Honoring Alan. Standing Beside Tosha.

Celebrating Georgia Music Month & National Recovery Month

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

Color Me Graceful: A 5K Run for Recovery

Featuring TEAM ALAN & TOSHA

Georgia Premier Cross Country Course
3450 Fulton Mill Road
Macon, GA 31206

Check-In: 8:00 a.m.
Race Start: 9:00 a.m.

Adult Registration: $45
Youth Registration: $15
Team Registration: $30 per person for teams of 10 or more

Hosted by Passionate Grace, Inc.

Held in recognition of National Recovery Month, Team Alan & Tosha offers participants an opportunity to honor Alan’s connection to recovery while supporting Passionate Grace’s mission to help others rebuild their lives.

Register at PassionateGrace.net.

Commemorative Alan Walden merchandise and copies of Southern Man: Music and Mayhem in the American South will be available throughout the event.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

Alan Walden: A Life Well Played — 30 Years of Love • Music • Mayhem

The Society Garden
2389 Ingleside Avenue
Macon, GA 31204

3:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
Free and open to the public
Donations accepted

Hosted by The Society Garden

Held during Georgia Music Month, the Celebration of Life will honor Alan’s extraordinary contribution to Georgia music and the people, artists, friendships and stories that became part of his remarkable life.

The event will feature live music, stories, laughter and memories, along with a silent auction of music memorabilia from Alan Walden’s personal collection. Commemorative merchandise and copies of Southern Man: Music and Mayhem in the American South will also be available, with opportunities throughout the evening to support the Alan Walden Memorial Fund.

ABOUT PASSIONATE GRACE, INC.

Passionate Grace, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit organization developing structured recovery housing and long-term stabilization programming for adult men rebuilding their lives following addiction. The organization’s mission is centered on creating a pathway from crisis and instability to recovery, personal responsibility, sustainable independence and renewed purpose through structured support, community partnerships and long-term recovery resources.

For additional information about Passionate Grace, Inc. or the Color Me Graceful: A 5K Run for Recovery, visit PassionateGrace.net.