An Intimate Evening with Damon Johnson at Back Forty Ballroom: A Perfect Night of Music and History in Fort Payne
The venue itself sets the tone before the first note is even played.
Back Forty Ballroom is tucked inside the beautifully restored W.B. Davis Hosiery Mill, a building that has stood in Fort Payne since 1889. Instead of stripping away the building’s history, the restoration celebrates it. Original brick walls, aged wooden beams, and warm ambient lighting create an atmosphere that feels both historic and welcoming.
Walking into the ballroom feels like stepping into a piece of Alabama’s past—yet everything about the space is perfectly suited for modern events. The open layout, soft glow of string lights, and rustic textures make it ideal for weddings, concerts, and gatherings that thrive on atmosphere.
The ballroom is also part of The Big Mill Company, which includes Big Mill Antiques and the beloved Vintage 1889 Restaurant right next door. Together, the space has become one of Fort Payne’s most unique cultural spots, blending dining, history, and entertainment under one historic roof.
But on this particular Saturday night, the spotlight belonged to Damon Johnson, the Alabama-born guitarist and songwriter best known as the founder of the rock band Brother Cane.
Rather than a loud arena-style performance, the evening was designed as an acoustic concert and listening party for Johnson’s upcoming album Magnolia Medicine, set to release on April 17, 2026. The seated show created an intimate environment where the music felt close and personal.
Johnson alternated between live musical performances and tracks played from his laptop, giving the audience an early preview of the new album. In between songs, he shared “Behind the Music” style stories—talking about the road, the writing process, and moments from his career that shaped both the songs and the man behind them.
It felt less like a formal concert and more like sitting in a room with an old friend who just happens to have decades of rock-and-roll stories.
Fans of Brother Cane were treated to a mix of nostalgia and new material. Johnson’s voice carried beautifully through the warm acoustics of the historic ballroom, and the stripped-down arrangements let the songwriting shine in a way that arena shows rarely allow.
The venue’s size made every moment feel personal. You could see the expressions, hear the laughter during stories, and feel the quiet attention of the room when a song landed just right.
Adding to the experience was the food and drink available from the neighboring Vintage 1889 Restaurant. The quality of the menu elevated the evening beyond a typical concert outing. Great food, good drinks, and live music inside a historic mill created the kind of night that feels relaxed but memorable.
By the time the evening wrapped up, it was clear that Back Forty Ballroom had delivered exactly what a venue like this should—a space where music, storytelling, and community can come together naturally.
Fort Payne has no shortage of history, but Back Forty Ballroom has found a way to make that history feel alive. Pair that atmosphere with an intimate performance from an Alabama rock legend like Damon Johnson, and you get something rare: a night that feels both special and effortlessly comfortable.
For those lucky enough to grab one of the limited seats, it wasn’t just a concert.
It was the perfect night out in Fort Payne at the Back Forty Ballroom.