Memories From The James Brown Arena
The current James Brown Arena is officially closed. It’s the end of an era. The final event in the old JBA was held this past Friday, and demolition on the…
The current James Brown Arena is officially closed. It's the end of an era. The final event in the old JBA was held this past Friday, and demolition on the building is set to begin next month. While I'm super excited to finally be getting a new arena, I'm a little sad to see the other one go. I've got a lot of memories in that old building, and I'm sure you do as well.
The James Brown Arena-Gone But Not Forgotten
If you've lived in the CSRA for a while, odds are, you've been to the arena for an event. Maybe it was a graduation or a concert. It might've been Disney On Ice or WWE Live. Whatever the event might've been, I know you've got memories of that building. I know I sure do, I've been going to events there since I was a kid.
I can't tell you how many wrestling events I've seen there. Also the past 13 Kicks99 Guitar Pulls have been at the JBA. Of course there are the countless other shows I've seen there. And lets not forget about Disney On Ice and the circus. The James Brown Arena has been a big part of this community since it opened at the end of 1979.
Some of the biggest names in music have played at the JBA, or as it was known originally, The Augusta Richmond County Civic Center. The arena also had a great history of sports as well. It was home to ice hockey and arena football, and yes it even hosted a couple of UFC events back in the 90s. We'll definitely miss the old JBA, but here's to the new one which is set to open in late 2026.
If you want to check out what the new arena will look like just click here.
For more photo galleries, lists, articles and videos from The Kicks Wake Up Krew, click here.
Here are some of my favorite memories from The James Brown Arena over the years.
Keith Urban
DubKeith Urban performed at the JBA in 2011, and I can say, it was one of the best shows I've ever seen!
Carrie Underwood
DubCarrie played the James Brown Arena twice over the years. This picture was from the second time she came to town. Part of the stage actually went out over the crowd!
John Cena vs. Seth Rollins
DubLike I said, I've seen a ton of wrestling events in the JBA over the years. This is from when John Cena took on Seth Rollins.
Alan Jackson
DubAlan Jackson played the arena several times over the years. This picture is from when he played there in 2015. I got to take my grandma to that show, it was a really special night.
Alabama
DubAlabama also played the arena several times over the years. This picture was from when they played there with The Charlie Daniels Band in 2016.
Roman Reigns, Bray Wyatt and Seth Rollins
DubThis is another picture from one of the countless WWE Live shows I saw at the James Brown Arena.
Hank Williams Jr.
DubHank Jr. brought the party to the JBA back in 2017!
Guitar Pull 2019
DubKicks99's Guitar Pull called the JBA home from 2010-2023. This picture is from Guitar Pull 2019 when Ray Fulcher and Luke Combs sang "Even Though I'm Leaving" together on stage.
Guitar Pull 2022
Guitar Pull 2022 was really special for me. I got to share a moment on stage with my wife and our daughter, who wasn't quite two months old at the time.
Whiskey Myers
DubThe last concert, that wasn't Guitar Pull, that I saw at the James Brown Arena was Whiskey Myers in 2023. I'd been wanting to see them for a long time and I was so glad they finally came to Augusta.
