Alabama first formed in 1969 under
the name Wildcountry with cousins Randy Owen, Jeff Cook and Teddy Gentry
in Fort Payne, Alabama. The group brought drummer Mark Herndon on board
in the late ‘70s.
They changed their name to Alabama
in 1977 and recorded two Top 40 hits for the MDJ label before signing to
RCA in 1980 and releasing “My Home’s In Alabama,” which featured the
chart-topping hit title cut as well as “Tennessee River” and “Why Lady
Why.” It was certified double platinum. Their sophomore album, “Feels So
Right,” was certified quadruple platinum and contained the hits “Old
Flame,” “Love in the First Degree” and the title cut. “Mountain Music,”
the band’s third album, was certified five times platinum and produced
the hits “Take Me Down,” “Close Enough to Perfect” and the title cut.
The band continued to release hit albums and singles throughout the ‘80s
and ‘90s, producing over 40 No. 1 hit singles.
With more than 73 million albums
sold, Alabama has more No. 1 records than any band in country-music
history and has sold more concert tickets than any other country group.
Throughout their career, they have received more than 150 industry
awards, and were named Country Group of the Century by the RIAA in 1999.
In 1998, the band was honored with
its own star on Hollywood Walk of Fame, and in 2000, they were presented
with the Minnie Pearl Humanitarian Award. The band announced their
farewell tour during the Academy of Country Music awards in 2002, and
spent most of 2003 saying good-bye to the fans.
In 2005, they were inducted into
the Country Music Hall of Fame. The following year, they notched a No. 1
country album, “Songs of Inspiration.”
The band parted ways with drummer
Mark Herndon in 2008 during a very public and nasty lawsuit. Randy Owen
released his first solo album, “One on One” in 2008. Produced by John
Rich, the project includes the single, “Like I Never Broke Her Heart.”
Owen also released his autobiography, “Born Country,” named after an
Alabama single that was released at the end of 1991.
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.
Alabama reunited at their benefit
concert, “Bama Rising,” earlier this year to raise money for those hit
by the tornados last April. All proceeds from their song “Raising
Alabama” is going to the victims.
Alabama will host their annual
Christmas For Kids event on Sunday at the Alabama Fan Club headquarters
in Fort Payne, Alabama. The event will include an acoustic performance
of Christmas songs and the distribution of gifts to those children in
need.
Alabama will play the 2011 ACA
Awards on December 5th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The
show will be broadcast live on ABC.
Alabama will reunite for more than a
dozen concerts in 2012, band members Jeff Cook and Teddy Gentry have
confirmed. The reunion shows come after Cook, Gentry and Randy Owen were
featured on Brad Paisley’s No. 1 single, “Old Alabama.” The
first date takes place February 28th at the Houston Livestock Show and
Rodeo. Longtime drummer Mark Herndon will not be involved in the shows.
The three founding members are also planning to record a new album.
Official Web site: www.thealabamaband.com 
