I’ve written my thoughts about the Alabama band below. First, here’s a video I’ve posted of a song from their new album “Southern Drawl,” called “I Wanna Be There.” According to Randy Owen, it almost didn’t make the album. In fact, it was the last song to be chosen, and is the last song on the CD. I think it may be their best song since “Angels Among Us.” If you’ve ever been a parent or a child, and that should include everybody, this one’s for you. Fair warning: your eyes may get a little misty.
Can it really be 35 years since some good ol’ boys from Fort Payne took the country music world by storm? In 1980, country music was at a weird intersection. Longtime stars like Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty and George Jones were competing with the more youthful sounds of the Urban Cowboy era. Mickey Gilley and Kenny Rogers were topping the charts, with George Strait and Lee Greenwood on the way.
The charts were dominated by solo acts, with the exception of the Statler Brothers and Oak Ridge Boys, established groups that had been around for decades.
Then, seemingly out of nowhere came an “overnight success” that was actually years in the making. Randy Owen, Jeff Cook and Teddy Gentry were literally country cousins who had played the bars and clubs for years under the name Wild country.
Throughout the 1970s the cousins, backed by various drummers, took all sorts of odd jobs to help keep their musical dreams alive. At nights and on weekends, they would back up big-name artists who came through the area, and eventually relocated to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina where they played a club called The Bowery. There, they played nightly for tips, performing whatever was hot on top-40 and country radio at the time. Lynyrd Skynyrd, Merle Haggard, you name it, they played it.
They put out a few records on small labels, but nothing clicked. Finally they took in Mark Herndon, a drummer with a rock background, and found some success with a single called “I Wanna Come Over.” It wasn’t a huge hit, but it got the attention of an RCA Records executive in Nashville.
He saw them perform live at a “New Faces” concert, where they shared the stage with another up-and-coming artist named Reba McEntyre. In April 1980, RCA offered them a contract. Folks, when the label that sold millions of Elvis records offers you a deal, you should probably sign the dotted line. The Alabama boys did, and the rest is in the Country Music Hall of Fame history books.
The numbers are staggering. Starting with “Tennessee River,” the group scored 21 consecutive number-one hits, an unprecedented winning streak. There was one great song after another: “My Home’s In Alabama.” “Feels So Right.” “Love in the First Degree.” My personal favorite, “Old Flame.” Eventually the number-one streak was snapped, but the band played on. No problem, they topped the chart 21 more times. Not bad for a bunch of cotton-picking country boys!
Soon, they were racking up every major industry award, and selling out big arenas. I have a story about that. I was working at KZ-106 in Chattanooga at the time, serving as music director and morning deejay. We played rock music. Journey, the Police, Bruce Springsteen, those people. We left the country music to another station in town.
Alabama, circa 1980
One day, Alabama announced a concert at the UTC Arena, then shiny and new, with a capacity of 11,000 seats. Tickets went on sale one morning at 10:00. This was pre-internet, so there were two ways to buy. You could order by phone, or stand in line at the box office. By 10:15, the phone lines were jammed, and folks were standing in line for two blocks. Soon, that show was sold out, and when the group found out, they said, “We’ll do two shows that day,” and of course soon both shows were sold out.
Using all our collective brain power, my radio colleagues and I said, “Maybe, just maybe we should go out there and see who’s buying all these tickets.” When we did, we saw something we hadn’t seen before at a country music event. These were not the middle-aged folks who stood in line to buy Conway and Loretta tickets. These were young people, our audience. Alabama, with their longish hair and upbeat songs, were opening country music up to a whole new audience. My rock station started playing Alabama songs. Nobody complained.
After about 20 years, the hits stopped coming quite so frequently, as younger, newer artists captured the radio spotlight. Randy and the boys stepped aside for a while to raise their kids and work on solo projects. Now and then, they’d reunite for a charity show, or to record an album with younger artists who cited them as strong influences. Randy, in particular, adopted St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, raising untold millions for them with his music, and his personal appeals.
Recently, the group (minus Herndon who parted on less-than-friendly terms) decided to record a new album, “Southern Drawl.” It’s their first original studio album in fifteen years, and it includes some terrific songs. Here’s wishing Alabama the best, as I thank them for all they’ve given back to their community. More than any big stars ever, they truly never forgot where they came from.
Teddy, Jeff and Randy today
Long ago I learned when you suggested tissues might be needed….you were always right.
This is no exception. Alabama has always held a special spot in my heart…I am so glad to know they have made another album. Thank goodness they included this song.
ALABAMA ,has always been my favorite since they named themselves Alabama . Didn’t know them before. They live about 50 miles from me. The first time we we went to see where they lived, his wife was was on the porch swing, swinging theirBaby. As country girl, we hollowed from the front gate to talk to her.
We found Teddy’s barn.we couldn’t find Cooks. I am so proud of them, they never forgot where they came from. I consider them as our home town boys.
Bach in the day,the old red bus,they stopped in Kimball ,Tn. by the Tennessee Alabama Restaurant, my Mama and sister manager, I worked with them. They didn’t come in some one else came in to see get food. That was my high light. Thank you ALABAMA
A bit of trivia: “Old Flame” was co-written by Donny Lowery, a TVA fisheries biologist based in Muscle Shoals. Songwriting was a hobby and Donny wrote/co-wrote eleven top 100 songs. “Old Flame” was the only one that reached number-one. Donny retired from TVA recently. Urban legend is Alabama became aware of “Old Flame” when a demo cassette of it was tossed into an open window on their tour bus.
I’m glad Donny wrote it, and glad Alabama got it! It’s a perfect match, of great lyrics and Randy’s wonderful country voice. Thanks for sharing that story, Creed.
My favorite is “Feels so Right” and probably always will be. When it hit the airwaves we had the radio going in our office. My friend and I looked at each other—and both said “WHO is that?” What a surprise when it was announced! Have loved them ever since. My nephews are from their area and knew the boys from the skating rinks years ago. One nephew and friends still play in the Chattanooga area–they are “southlander”—basically the area all the boys came from. Must be something in the area that raises good musicians!!! Love, Love Love “Alabama”. Glad to hear they are still here!! Thanks David! Fan from Texas
Thank you so much for some of this background information on Alabama. They were always one of my favorite country groups and I was always rooting for them to win awards and be recognized. So glad they are still making music. We need more “good ole boy” music like this.