The band was founded by Randy Owen (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) and his cousin Teddy Gentry (bass, backing vocals). They were soon joined by another cousin, Jeff Cook (lead guitar, fiddle, and keyboards). First operating under the name Wild Country, the group toured the Southeast bar circuit in the early 1970s, and began writing original songs. They changed their name to Alabama in 1977 and following the chart success of two singles, were approached by RCA Nashville for a record deal.
Alabama's biggest success came in the 1980s, where the band had over 27 #1 hits, seven multi-platinum albums and received numerous awards. Alabama's first single on RCA Records, "Tennessee River", began a streak of 21 #1 singles, including "Love in the First Degree" (1981), "Mountain Music" (1982), "Dixieland Delight" (1983), "If You're Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band)" (1984) and "Song of the South" (1988). The band's popularity waned slightly in the 1990s although they continued to produce hit singles and multi-platinum album sales. Alabama disbanded in 2004 following a farewell tour and two albums of inspirational music but reunited in 2010 and have continued to record and tour worldwide.
Owen was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2010, but he was later given a clean bill of health, which led to the band's reunion, without Herndon. Following a series of tornadoes destroying homes and businesses throughout their state in 2011, Alabama assembled a benefit concert in Birmingham, called Bama Rising. Featuring the band's first set since 2004, alongside Luke Bryan, Sheryl Crow and Brad Paisley, the concert raised $2.1 million. "I guess we realized that maybe we missed the playing ... and five or six years had gone by and we were like, 'Maybe that wasn't as bad as we remember it being,'" said Gentry. In celebration of the group's 40th anniversary, Alabama resumed touring in 2013 for the Back to the Bowery tour, referencing the Myrtle Beach club where they first became professional musicians. They also undertook a short cruise, The Alabama & Friends Festival at Sea, which left for the Bahamas on Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Pearl ship. In addition, the band released Alabama & Friends, a tribute album encompassing covers from newer artists such as Jason Aldean and Florida Georgia Line, in addition to two new tracks by Alabama.
The band released their first new studio album in 14 years, Southern Drawl, on September 18, 2015, via BMG Chrysalis. In 2016, Alabama was selected as one of 30 artists to perform on "Forever Country", a mash-up track of "Take Me Home, Country Roads", "On the Road Again", and "I Will Always Love You" that celebrates 50 years of the CMA Awards.
In April 2017, guitarist Jeff Cook announced in a video that he would reduce the number of shows for which he would be in attendance while the band was on tour, due to his struggle with Parkinson's. He had been diagnosed four years prior, and this was his first public announcement about his condition.
In August 2021, the band sold its interest in its recorded music rights catalog to Reservoir Media. Cook died from complications of Parkinson's disease on November 7, 2022.
The band's blend of traditional country music and Southern rock combined with elements of bluegrass, folk, gospel and pop music gave it a crossover appeal that helped lead to their success. They also toured extensively and incorporated production elements such as lighting and "sets" inspired by rock concerts into their shows.
Alabama was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2019 and were awarded with the first ever Life Time Achievement Award from this institution.
The members of Alabama are:
- Randy Owen (lead vocals and rhythm guitar)
- Teddy Gentry (bass guitar and backing vocals)
Carolina Mountain Dewe
Alabama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The Carolina lady waits for her man from Tennessee
Somewhere in a motel...out in Oklahoma
There's the Alabama dreamer
That same man from Tennessee
Sometime late at night...the lonely wakes her gently
And knocks at her door...but she won't give in
She thinks of making love...and goes to sleep again
Carolina...dreamin' lonely
Carolina...can't you see
You will always be the lady...
That I dream of holding tight...
That I kiss and tell goodnight...
Carolina...mountain dew
Sometime that next day...on a Mississippi freeway
The Alabama dreamer...is homeward bound
His conscious is as clear...as those green eyes of Carolina
And she's waiting with the baby from the love...of the only man to lay her down
Carolina...dreaming lonely
Carolina...can't you see
You will always be the lady
That I dream of holding tight
That I kiss and tell goodnight
Carolina...mountain dew
Carolina...I love you
The song "Carolina Mountain Dewe" by Alabama tells the story of two lovers who are separated by distance and circumstance. The song describes a Carolina lady and her man from Tennessee, who is somewhere in the mountains of northern Alabama. The man is also described as the Alabama dreamer and is staying in a motel out in Oklahoma. The song captures the emotions of the Carolina lady who is dreaming of holding her man tight, and the lyrics convey a sense of loneliness and longing for each other.
The song speaks to the universal theme of human connection and love, despite being separated by miles of distance. The Carolina lady is portrayed as a strong, independent woman who resists the urge to answer the lonely knock at her door. She thinks of making love but decides to go to sleep again, indicating her commitment to waiting for her man. The man, in turn, is described as having a clear conscience as he drives back home on a Mississippi freeway, indicating his commitment to their relationship.
Overall, "Carolina Mountain Dewe" is a classic love song that speaks to the human experience of longing for love and connection. The lyrics are beautifully written, and the harmonies in the song are infectious.
Line by Line Meaning
Somewhere in the mountains...in northern Alabama
The story takes place in the mountains of northern Alabama.
The Carolina lady waits for her man from Tennessee
A woman named Carolina is waiting for her man from Tennessee.
Somewhere in a motel...out in Oklahoma
The man from Tennessee is staying in a motel in Oklahoma.
There's the Alabama dreamer
The artist of the story is an Alabama native who dreams of Carolina.
That same man from Tennessee
The man from the motel in Oklahoma is the same man Carolina is waiting for.
Sometime late at night...the lonely wakes her gently
Carolina wakes up lonely in the middle of the night.
And knocks at her door...but she won't give in
Someone tries to visit Carolina in the middle of the night but she refuses to let them in.
But like every other woman...she needs to feel wanted
Carolina, like any other woman, has a need to feel wanted and loved.
She thinks of making love...and goes to sleep again
Carolina thinks about intimacy but eventually goes back to sleep.
Carolina...dreamin' lonely
Carolina is dreaming alone and feeling lonely.
Carolina...can't you see
The singer is calling out to Carolina, asking if she can see that he loves her.
You will always be the lady...
The artist is telling Carolina that she will always be his lady.
That I dream of holding tight...
The singer dreams of holding Carolina close to him.
That I kiss and tell goodnight...
The singer longs to kiss Carolina goodnight.
Carolina...mountain dew
The singer refers to Carolina as 'mountain dew,' possibly suggesting she is his solace in the mountains.
Sometime that next day...on a Mississippi freeway
The next day, the man from Tennessee is on a freeway in Mississippi.
The Alabama dreamer...is homeward bound
The artist from Alabama is returning home.
His conscious is as clear...as those green eyes of Carolina
The singer's conscience is clear, much like Carolina's green eyes.
And she's waiting with the baby from the love...of the only man to lay her down
Carolina has a baby conceived with the only man she's ever been intimate with, who is the man from Tennessee.
Carolina...I love you
The artist tells Carolina that he loves her.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: OWEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kimberly Bittner
Why would you put this one to show, when I made a video to it on u-tube.. This dosen't tell the story to the song I have loved for over 30 tears..
@DaveB806
I’m so glad I had all Alabama’s albums in the 80’s. What a great time for country music
@ollieking13
I think I’m the only child in my generation that loves Alabama
@craigburke7709
I am that Newfoundlander that fell In love with this bands music in the early 80's and still am!
@daviddubois8605
Best group in seventy years
@milliehernandez5050
Thanks for the beautiful song from Alabama and I love this song alot and I love the way you you sing Randy Owen and Alabama all together wow what a great harmony
@davidmiler2606
This song reminds me of my precious wife of 28 years
@MartenFerret
Isn't this song about a woman who cheats on her lover?
@mikenichols100
Alabama is the Greatest group of all time and still #1
@INDOMEDEO
God bless the USA!!! Greetings from Italy to all Americans !