It’s been over half a century since the journey began for three cousins hailing from Fort Payne, Alabama. Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry, and Jeff Cook traded their hometown for a summer of performances at The Bowery, a bar in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. For six years, they honed their craft, playing for tips and building a buzz through word-of-mouth. This dedication eventually led to the major label record deal they had long sought, catapulting them into a realm where they would redefine the landscape of country music.
ALABAMA isn’t just a band; they are a phenomenon that revolutionized country music. Their unprecedented streak of 21 consecutive #1 singles remains a record unlikely to be matched across any genre. They injected a fresh, youthful energy, undeniable sex appeal, and a rock-infused edge into country music, broadening its appeal and paving the way for future self-contained bands. Their journey, marked by over 73 million albums sold, culminated in inductions into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
To celebrate their formative summer at The Bowery and to acknowledge their profound and lasting impact, “ALABAMA & Friends” was created. This commemorative project highlights the band’s influence on generations of country music artists who continue to draw inspiration from their signature harmonies, captivating stage presence, and exceptional songwriting and song selection – all hallmarks of their superstardom. The album gathers some of country’s biggest names, each offering their unique musical interpretation of classic Alabama Group Songs that have shaped their own careers.
The diverse lineup of star artists contributing to “ALABAMA & Friends” underscores the breadth and depth of ALABAMA’s musical legacy. Country luminaries such as Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Eli Young Band, Florida Georgia Line, Jamey Johnson, Toby Keith, Rascal Flatts, and Trisha Yearwood have lent their voices and talents to this tribute, each putting their spin on beloved Alabama group songs.
[Insert an image here of the Alabama band members, perhaps from their early days or a more recent performance. “]
“I thank God I’m here to witness these incredible artists choosing to sing some of the songs we created,” reflects Randy Owen, with the genuine sincerity that has resonated with countless fans who identify with these humbly born superstars.
Jeff Cook echoes this sentiment, adding, “It’s a true honor that they would participate in an ALABAMA tribute. We had a fantastic time collaborating with them, and I believe the final product reflects both the enjoyment and the high quality that went into it.”
The tracks selected for “ALABAMA & Friends” represent just a glimpse into the band’s extensive catalog of hits, but as Teddy Gentry explains, they are representative of the core of the band’s enduring appeal.
“More than anything,” he states, “our longevity is a testament to the hard work we put into choosing songs, because ultimately, it’s the Alabama group songs that people remember.”
Indeed, the Alabama group songs featured on the tribute album are among the most memorable in country music history. These include “My Home’s In Alabama,” their breakthrough hit that introduced them to a global audience, and “Tennessee River,” their very first #1 chart-topper. Also highlighted are “Old Flame” and “Love in the First Degree,” from their acclaimed second RCA album; “Lady Down On Love,” a prime example of Randy’s songwriting talent and their signature harmonies; “The Closer You Get,” released during their remarkable streak of 21 chart-topping singles; “She And I,” from the mid-1980s; and “Forever’s As Far As I’ll Go” and “I’m In A Hurry (And Don’t Know Why),” which propelled them into the 1990s, a decade that saw them garner 29 more chart hits, including 22 that reached #1 or the Top 5.
[Insert an image here of an Alabama album cover, perhaps their greatest hits album, visually representing their extensive catalog of songs. “]
Adding another layer to this celebratory project are two brand-new tracks by ALABAMA themselves. These new songs demonstrate the band’s ability to create music that feels both timeless and contemporary. For these tracks, they reunited with legendary producer Harold Shedd, who played a crucial role in their early success and went on to discover other music icons like Shania Twain and Toby Keith.
“I suggested to Jeff and Teddy that Harold should work with us on the new material,” Randy recounts, “and they agreed. It was spine-tingling when he said yes. Having Harold on board and witnessing his excitement after all these years feels like a storybook chapter in my life and in ALABAMA’s career.”
Harold Shedd adds, “We hadn’t worked together in years, but within just a couple of hours, we captured that classic ALABAMA sound from 1980. It felt like ALABAMA was reborn.”
“I always have some apprehension about releasing new material at this stage,” Teddy admits with a laugh, “knowing it has to measure up to a pretty formidable track record.” However, he confidently asserts that the new material does just that. He describes “That’s How I Was Raised” as “a quintessential, straightforward country song that really highlights our harmonies,” and “All American” as “a song that expresses many important sentiments about our country.”
The “ALABAMA & Friends” project arose as the trio approached their 40th anniversary.
“We started discussing it and thought, ‘Let’s do some shows and perform in some places we haven’t played before, like the Ryman and the Fox Theatre in Atlanta,'” Teddy explains.
“We launched the tour in Myrtle Beach, taking our music back to our fans,” Jeff adds. “We’ve all pursued enjoyable individual projects in the years since our last tour, but we all recognize that we are stronger as a unit, creating Alabama group songs together.”
“And as those conversations continued,” Randy says, “we began considering a CD project and the idea of involving other artists.”
The chosen format of “ALABAMA & Friends” allows them to celebrate both their humble beginnings and their monumental achievements. Reflecting on their early days, Jeff shares, “I don’t think we were thinking too far into the future. Our immediate concern was making enough to pay our bills at the end of the week playing music.”
The Bowery stint provided them with an opportunity to establish themselves outside of their home region, where they had previously played at a local theme park, opening for national acts like Bobby Bare.
“We believed we had something truly special vocally,” Teddy recalls, “and we were seeking the chance to prove it. There were times when we wondered if we’d be better off returning home and finding regular jobs, but we persevered, rehearsing, writing Alabama group songs, striving to improve, and maintaining faith in our potential.”
Harold Shedd remembers his first encounter with the band at The Bowery: “I went to see them play, and the sound these three guys created together was just remarkable. I watched the crowd react to music they had never heard before as if they were already familiar with it. While they played some covers, a significant portion of the ALABAMA show at that time consisted of original material, including songs that would later appear on the first three albums we made together.”
ALABAMA was revolutionary in more ways than one.
“We were renegades in sneakers and T-shirts,” Teddy remarks. “We had long hair and played loud, and some of the traditional country music fans initially resisted us. But eventually, they embraced us, and our success paved the way for many other bands to find their place in country music by performing Alabama group songs and their own music in a similar style.”
The inclusion of artists like Eli Young Band, Rascal Flatts, and Florida Georgia Line on “Alabama & Friends”—bands who are direct descendants of ALABAMA’s pioneering spirit—is as much a part of their legacy as the numerous awards and accolades they have received throughout the years. And those accolades are indeed numerous, including over 150 major industry awards, two Grammys, the Minnie Pearl Humanitarian Award, Entertainer of the Year honors three times from the CMA and five times from the ACM, as well as the ACM’s Artist of the Decade award. They have earned 21 Gold®, Platinum®, and Multi-Platinum® albums and were recognized as the RIAA’s Country Group of the Century.
[Insert an image here of Alabama receiving an award, perhaps the Country Music Hall of Fame induction or another significant award, emphasizing their achievements. “]
However, awards represent only a fraction of a legacy that is primarily found in the hearts of listeners everywhere. Some of these listeners are themselves superstars in other genres, as Randy discovered.
“I was participating in a benefit concert at the Ryman,” he recounts, “and I glanced over and saw Jon Bon Jovi. He came over to say hello, and it turned out he’s a fan of our music and Alabama group songs.”
Of course, countless more are everyday country music fans.
“Many fans begin a conversation with, ‘I don’t want to bother you,'” Jeff says, “but what they don’t realize is that everything we’ve achieved, every one of those awards, happened because we’ve been accepted and supported by our fans who love our Alabama group songs.”
Recently, Teddy witnessed a scene that vividly illustrates the enduring appeal of their music.
“I was in Nashville,” he shares, “walking past a club filled with young people—I’m talking 18 or 20 years old. The band started playing ‘Dixieland Delight,’ and the entire place erupted in song, singing every word. I couldn’t help but smile at the longevity of these Alabama group songs. Perhaps some of those kids didn’t even know who ALABAMA was, but they knew the music. And I think that’s a testament to the fact that we dedicated our career to releasing good songs that stand the test of time.”
With “ALABAMA & Friends,” all who appreciate the lasting impact of Alabama group songs have another opportunity to celebrate their extraordinary accomplishment and enduring legacy.
