Alabama

Artist Image: Alabama
Attribution
Image Credit: Saginaw-hitchhiker (Own work), CC BY-SA 4.0

Biography

Alabama is a country music and southern rock band from Fort Payne, Alabama, United States. The band was founded in 1969 by Randy Owen (lead vocals, Rhythm Guitar) and his cousin Teddy Gentry (bass guitar, background vocals), soon joined by Jeff Cook (Lead Guitar, fiddle, keyboards). In 1973, after Owen's graduation from Jacksonville State University, they gave up their day jobs and weekend gigs. The group, formerly known as "Wildcountry", left Fort Payne and Lookout Mountain to explore the possibilities of the club scene in surrounding coastal South Carolina. The band is often credited with bringing country music groups (as opposed to solo vocalists) into the mainstream, paving the way for the success of today's top country groups. Since its change in name in 1972, Alabama has included Owen, Cook and Gentry. Mark Herndon was not the original drummer but was a member of the band throughout their period of fame and chart success. The band's blend of traditional country music and southern rock combined with elements of gospel music, and pop music gave it a crossover appeal that helped lead to their unprecedented success. They also toured extensively and incorporated production elements such as lighting and "sets" inspired by rock concerts into their shows. The band has over 30 number one country records on the Billboard Magazine charts to their credit and have sold over 73 million records to date. In 1998, the band was honored with its own star in the fabled Hollywood Walk of Fame, and in 2000, it was presented with the Minnie Pearl Humanitarian Award. The band announced its farewell tour during the Academy of Country Music awards in 2002, and spent most of 2003 saying good-bye to the fans. The Alabama Theater opened up in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in 1993. Gaylord Entertainment (TNN, CMT, Opry Land) was brought in to help produce a nightly show, and a Christmas show. The band tried to open up a string of bar and grills in 1996. The first Alabama Grill is located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, a second opened up in Myrtle beach in 1998. Another grill can be found in the Opry Mills Mall in Nashville, Tennessee. Alabama sold its three publishing companies (Alabama Music/Maypop/Mountain Flower Music) to Sony-ATV for a reported $18 million in 1999, giving Sony an estimated 3,500 copyrights. Alabama then signed a five year writing contract with Sony/ATV Tree. Alabama was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005. The band parted ways with drummer Mark Herndon in 2008 during a public lawsuit. Alabama returned to the studio in 2010 to record "Are You Sure Hank Done It That Way" as part of a Waylon Jennings tribute album. 'The Music Inside-A Collaboration Dedicated To Waylon Jennings Vol. I,' which hit shelves in February 2011. The band reunited in 2011, playing with Brad Paisley on his single, "Old Alabama" and playing the Bama Rising benefit. Alabama played the song live with Brad Paisley at the ACM Awards in Vegas. Images of drummer Mark Herndon were cropped out of band photos that were displayed on the large TV screens during the performance. Jeff Cook told the press in 2011 that the Farewell Tour didn't end right. The band ended its farewell tour in North Dakota. Cook hinted at a possible reunion and new album in 2012, wanting the band to play its final show in Alabama.

Details

Item Name Item Details
Year Formed 1969
Number of Albums 42
Record Label BMG
Website www.thealabamaband.com
Wikipedia Alabama on Wikipedia
Social Networks

Trivia

What is the name of the biggest US country rock act of the 80s and 90s?

Alabamas

...Statistically the biggest US country rock act of the 80s and 90s, Alabamas origins can be traced back to Fort Payne in northern Alabama. Changing thei...
Where can Alabamas origins be traced back to?

Fort Payne in northern Alabama

... of the 80s and 90s, Alabamas origins can be traced back to Fort Payne in northern Alabama . Changing their name to Wild Country, they added Bennett Va...
Who was the first drummer of Wild Country?

Bennett Vartanian

... northern Alabama. Changing their name to Wild Country, they added Bennett Vartanian (b. John Bennett Vartanian, USA, d. 27 November 2006), the first ...
When did the band change their name to Alabama?

1977

...several small labels in the 70s before changing their name to Alabama in 1977 . Following GRTs collapse, however, the band was forbidden from recording...
How long was the band forbidden from recording?

two years

...wing GRTs collapse, however, the band was forbidden from recording for two years . After their third single, February 1980s My Homes In Alabama, on MDJ...
What was the name of the band's third single?

My Homes In Alabama

...recording for two years. After their third single, February 1980s My Homes In Alabama , on MDJ Records, reached the Country Top 20 they signed to RCA R...
How many platinum albums were released in the 80's?

five

...s Love In The First Degree also acquired crossover pop success. Of their five platinum albums during the 80s, the most successful was 40 Hour Week, wh...
What was the most successful album released by the band?

40 Hour Week

...f their five platinum albums during the 80s, the most successful was 40 Hour Week , which reached number 10 in the US chart. In 1986, they worked with ...
When did the band work with Lionel Richie?

1986

...successful was 40 Hour Week, which reached number 10 in the US chart. In 1986 , they worked with Lionel Richie, but subsequent work has seen them retur...
Which artist did they work with in 1986?

Lionel Richie

..., which reached number 10 in the US chart. In 1986, they worked with Lionel Richie , but subsequent work has seen them return almost exclusively to the...
Where is the Alabama headquarters located?

Fort Payne, AL

...before seen in public until now. Alabama headquarters is located in Fort Payne, AL at 101 Glenn Boulevard SW near the intersection of State Hwy 35 & U...
How much does it cost to become an official Fan Club Member?

35 postage

...ch album release. You can also become an official Fan Club Member for 35 postage (subject to change per USPS rates). For foreign pricing please call 1...
How much postage is subject to change per USPS rates?

35

...h each album release. You can also become an official Fan Club Member for 35 postage (subject to change per USPS rates). For foreign pricing please ca...
What does the Fan Club membership package include?

Tshirt, Bumper Sticker, Membership Card

.... You will receive a membership package which includes: Tshirt, Bumper Sticker, Membership Card , 10 discount on instore, nonsale merchandise and acces...
Who credited the band with popularizing the idea of a country band?

AllMusic

...ecords, making them the most successful band in country music history. AllMusic credited the band with popularizing the idea of a country band and wro...
Who is Randy Owen's cousin?

Teddy Gentry

...as founded by Randy Owen (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) and his cousin Teddy Gentry (bass, backing vocals). They were soon joined by another cousin, Jef...
What is Teddy Gentry's job?

bass, backing vocals

...y Owen (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) and his cousin Teddy Gentry ( bass, backing vocals ). They were soon joined by another cousin, Jeff Cook (lead guita...
What was the name of the group that toured the Southeast bar circuit in the early 1970s?

Wild Country

...(lead guitar, fiddle, and keyboards). First operating under the name Wild Country , the group toured the Southeast bar circuit in the early 1970s, and ...
How many multiplatinum albums did Alabama have?

seven

...'s biggest success came in the 1980s, where the band had over 27 1 hits, seven multiplatinum albums and received numerous awards. Alabama disbanded in...
When was Alabama disbanded?

2004

... multiplatinum albums and received numerous awards. Alabama disbanded in 2004 following a farewell tour and two albums of inspirational music but reun...
When did Alabama reunite?

2010

...ng a farewell tour and two albums of inspirational music but reunited in 2010 and have continued to record and tour worldwide. The band's blend of tra...
How many number one hits did Alabama have in the 1980s?

27

...eal. Alabama's biggest success came in the 1980s, where the band had over 27 number one hits, seven multiplatinum albums and received numerous awards....
What was Alabama's biggest success?

1980s

...y RCA Nashville for a record deal. Alabama's biggest success came in the 1980s , where the band had over 27 number one hits, seven multiplatinum albums...
Along with traditional country music, what genre of country music was a part of the band's sound?

Southern rock

...nd tour worldwide. The band's blend of traditional country music and Southern rock combined with elements of bluegrass, folk, gospel and pop music gav...
As recordings became available, nearly every popular recording artist was a vocalist, not what?

a group

...me available, nearly every popular recording artist was a vocalist, not a group . Alabama was the group that made country bands popular again. Emerging...
What two genres did Alabama's musical concepts owe more to?

rock and pop

...l concepts, particularly the idea of a performing band, owed more to rock and pop than hardcore country. A sleek countryrock sound made the group the ...
When was Randy Owen born?

December 14, 1949

... '80s and earning stacks of awards. First cousins Randy Owen (born December 14, 1949 ; lead vocal, rhythm guitar) and Teddy Gentry (born January 22, 19...
What instrument did Gentry and Owen learn together?

guitar

... farms on Lookout Mountain in Alabama, but the pair learned how to play guitar together; the duo had also sung in church together before they were six...
In what decade did the pair play country, bluegrass, and pop?

'60s

...ir own, Gentry and Owen played in a number of different bands during the '60s , playing country, bluegrass, and pop on different occasions. During high...
What year did Jeff Cook form Young Country?

1969

... 1949; lead guitar, vocals, keyboards, fiddle), to form Young Country in 1969 . Before joining his cousins, Cook had played in a number of bands and wa...
What genre of music did he DJ?

rock & roll

... vocals, keyboards, fiddle), to form Young Country in 1969. Before joining his cousins, Cook had played in a number of bands and was a rock & roll DJ....
Who contributed to Alabamas records?

Professional studio musicians

... Professional studio musicians did contribute to Alabamas records, but Jeff Cook (guitar), Teddy Gentry (bass), Randy Owen (guitar) and Mark Herndon (d...
What was the name of the band that Cook, Gentry, and Owen formed as teenagers?

Wildcountry

...entry, and Owen all born in Fort Payne, Alabama, formed a band called Wildcountry . The trio quit their day jobs in 1973, concocted their own potent bl...
When did Wildcountry quit their day jobs?

1973

...abama, formed a band called Wildcountry. The trio quit their day jobs in 1973 , concocted their own potent blend of southern rock and countrypop, and b...
Who was hired as a permanent drummer in 1977?

Mark Herndon

...but Jeff Cook (guitar), Teddy Gentry (bass), Randy Owen (guitar) and Mark Herndon (drums) provided their own accompaniment on the road, where legions ...
How many country singles did Alabama score between May 1980 and August 1982?

eight

...il of that year. Right from the start, Alabama hit the bullseye, scoring eight 1 country singles between May 1980 and August 1982. This impressive lis...
What was one of Alabama's trademark numbers?

Tennessee River

...ugust 1982. This impressive list included trademark numbers such as Tennessee River , Feels So Right, and Mountain Music. Along with Feels So Right, Lo...
Along with Mountain Music, Feels So Right, Love in the First Degree and Take Me Down became what pop hit?

Top Twenty

...essee River, Feels So Right, and Mountain Music. Along with Feels So Right, Love in the First Degree and Take Me Down also became Top Twenty pop hits....
When did Alabama explode onto the scene?

early 1980s

...how to submit Alabama lyrics. Since it exploded onto the scene in the early 1980s , Alabama has been one of the most popular, bestselling, and most vil...
Who wrote that country music was the equivalent of fingernails on a chalk board?

Michael Bane

...d most vilified groups in country musicall despite scorn by critics. Michael Bane of the Encyclopedia of Country Music wrote, it was the country music...
How many number one singles did Alabama have before sales began to slump in the nineties?

41

...hree quadruple platinum albums and one quintuple platinum album. They had 41 number one singles, before sales began to slump in the nineties. In other...
What was the name of their band?

Young Country

...and started playing together around Fort Payne, Alabama. Their band, Young Country , played whatever gigs it could find: local dances, bars, and picnic...
When was Handy born?

Florence, Alabama

...labama William Christopher Handy was born on November 16, 1873, in Florence, Alabama . He grew up in a log cabin that his grandfather had built on what...
What was the name of the log cabin that Handy grew up in?

College Street

...in a log cabin that his grandfather had built on what is now called College Street . As a young child, he displayed a keen interest in music and his in...
What kind of ear could catalog the musical notes of songbirds?

intuitive

...treet. As a young child, he displayed a keen interest in music and his intuitive ear could catalog the musical notes of songbirds, the whistles from n...
What did his father make Handy take back and exchange it for?

a dictionary

...ly. Handy's father made him take the guitar back and exchange it for a dictionary . Handy joined a local blues band as a teenager, but he kept this fac...
Who did Handy keep a secret from?

his parents

...a local blues band as a teenager, but he kept this fact a secret from his parents . He purchased a cornet from a fellow bandmember and spent every free...
What did Handy buy from a fellow bandmember?

a cornet

...eenager, but he kept this fact a secret from his parents. He purchased a cornet from a fellow bandmember and spent every free minute practicing it. An...
What was the name of the cousin they teamed up with?

Jeff Cook

.... They played in high school bands before teaming with another cousin, Jeff Cook , to form Young Country in 1969. Once Owen and Cook graduated from col...
How many hours a day did the band often play in The Bowery?

thirteen

...owery in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The band often played there for thirteen hours a day, working its way through three drummers over the next six ...
What was the band's versatile repertoire?

rock, country, pop, dance music and rhythmandblues

...six years. Their versatile repertoire encompassed rock, country, pop, dance music and rhythmandblues . In 1980, MDJ released the Top 20 hit My Homes In...
In what year did MDJ release the Top 20 hit My Homes In Alabama?

1980

...toire encompassed rock, country, pop, dance music and rhythmandblues. In 1980 , MDJ released the Top 20 hit My Homes In Alabama, which led to an RCA Re...
Which record label signed My Homes in Alabama to RCA Records?

MDJ

... encompassed rock, country, pop, dance music and rhythmandblues. In 1980, MDJ released the Top 20 hit My Homes In Alabama, which led to an RCA Records...
Country music was a driving force in what genres?

pop and rock

...as unusual in country music at the time: Although a driving force in pop and rock , country had never been grouporiented. The success of Alabama inspir...