Alabama (Band)

The Legendary Kings of Country Music

Alabama is considered one of the most successful country music bands of all time. Formed in 1969 in Fort Payne, Alabama, the band originally consisted of cousins Randy Owen (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) and Teddy Gentry (bass guitar, background vocals) along with Jeff Cook (lead guitar, fiddle, keyboards). The trio began performing locally and gained popularity through shows at the renowned “The Bowery” in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

After struggling to land a record deal in the 1970s, Alabama finally achieved success in 1980 with the release of their self-titled debut album on RCA Records. Hits like “Tennessee River,” “Why Lady Why,” and “My Home’s in Alabama” showcased the band’s smooth vocal harmonies and established their signature “country-rock” sound, blending traditional country music with pop and rock influences.

Over the next decade, Alabama went on to become the most awarded band in country music history. They earned 21 consecutive #1 hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, including classics like “Love in the First Degree,” “Mountain Music,” and “Dixieland Delight.” Their popularity spread beyond the U.S. as they brought country music to new audiences internationally. The band has sold over 75 million records worldwide.

Alabama’s honors include being named the Academy of Country Music’s Artist of the Decade for the 1980s. They are the only band to win the Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year award for three consecutive years (1982-1984). The group has earned over 200 major industry awards in categories including Entertainer, Vocal Group, Instrumental Group, Album, Single, Video, and Song of the Year. They were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005.

While no longer touring extensively today, Alabama and their timeless music remain beloved by fans old and new. Their legacy as innovative ambassadors of country music continues to inspire modern artists across genres.

Discography

Albums

  • Cheap Seats (1993-10-12)
  • Roll On (1984)
  • Dancin' on the Boulevard (1997-04-08)
  • The Closer You Get (1983)
  • Mountain Music (1982-02-25)
  • Southern Drawl (2015-09-18)
  • Songs Of Inspiration 2 ()
  • Just Us (1987)
  • In Pictures (1995-08-14)
  • Wild Country (1976)
  • Songs of Inspiration (2006-10-24)
  • Twentieth Century (1999-06-15)
  • Southern Star (1988)
  • When It All Goes South (2000)
  • #3 (1979)
  • My Home's in Alabama (1980-05)
  • Feels So Right (1981-02)
  • Deuces Wild (1977)
  • Pass It On Down (1990-05-21)
  • Christmas (1985-09)
  • 40 Hour Week (1985)
  • The Touch (1986)
  • American Pride (1992-08)
  • American Christmas (2017-10-06)
  • Christmas, Volume 2 (1996)
  • Songs of Inspiration II (2007-03-27)

Singles

  • Then Again (1991)
  • Love in the First Degree (1981-08)
  • Born Country (1991-12-26)
  • Angels Among Us (1993)
  • God Must Have Spent A Little More Time On You (1999)
  • Twentieth Century (1999)