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)
Down Home
Alabama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A little dot on a state road map
That's where I was born and where I'll die
Things move at a slower pace
Nobody's in the rat race
And these days that's a special way of life
Down home, where they know you by name and treat you like family
Folks know if they're falling on hard times
They can fall back on
Those of us raised up down home
In the corner of the hardware store
Gathered 'round a checkerboard
Old men telling lies and crowning kings
Kids driving 'round the old town square
Tops rolled down in the cool night air
Go and see what's shaking at the Dairy Queen
Down home, where they know you by name and treat you like family
Down home, a man's good word and hand shake are all you need
Folks know if they're falling on hard times
They can fall back on
Those of us raised up down home
When I was a boy, I couldn't wait to leave this place
But now I wanna see my children raised down home
Down home
Folks know if they're falling on hard times
They can fall back on
Those of us raised up down home
Where they know you by name and treat you like family
Down home, a man's good word and hand shake are all you need
Folks know if they're falling on hard times
They can fall back on
Those of us raised up down home
Down home
Way down home
Down home, down home, way down home, down home
The Alabama song "Down Home" is a nostalgic tribute to small-town life in the American South. The lyrics describe a place "just off of the beaten path" that is marked on a state road map as nothing more than a little dot. This is where the singer was born and where they will die. Life in this town moves at a slower pace, and people aren't caught up in the rat race of big-city life. Instead, they know each other by name and treat each other like family. A man's word and handshake are all that's needed to seal a deal. The townsfolk are always there for each other, particularly in hard times. This song celebrates the timeless values of community, friendship, and loyalty that are only found in small-town life.
The imagery in the lyrics conjures up a vivid picture of life in a close-knit Southern community. The hardware store is a hub of activity, with old men gathered around a checkerboard, spinning yarns and bragging about their accomplishments. The town square is a gathering place for young people, driving around with their tops down on a warm night, ready to hit up the local Dairy Queen. These are the small pleasures of life in a small town that make it so special, evoking a sense of belonging and familiarity. It's no wonder that the singer, who was once eager to leave this place, now longs for their children to be raised there.
Line by Line Meaning
Just off of the beaten path
Located in a less-traveled area
A little dot on a state road map
A small, insignificant location on a map
That's where I was born and where I'll die
The singer was born in this location and intends to remain there for life
Things move at a slower pace
Life in this location is relaxed and unhurried
Nobody's in the rat race
People in this location are not caught up in the competitive, fast-paced lifestyle of larger cities
And these days that's a special way of life
The slower pace of life in this location is becoming less common and therefore considered unique
Down home, where they know you by name and treat you like family
In this location, the sense of community is strong and close-knit
Down home, a man's good word and hand shake are all you need
Trust and honesty are valued in this location, and a person's word is enough to seal a deal
Folks know if they're falling on hard times
People in this location are aware that tough times can happen
They can fall back on
They can rely on
Those of us raised up down home
Individuals who grew up in this location
In the corner of the hardware store
A specific location within the community where people gather to socialize
Gathered 'round a checkerboard
Everyone is gathered around a board game
Old men telling lies and crowning kings
Elders are reminiscing and exaggerating stories of the past and reigniting a friendly competition
Kids driving 'round the old town square
Youngsters are cruising the streets of the town
Tops rolled down in the cool night air
The weather is pleasant, and everyone is enjoying the fresh air
Go and see what's shaking at the Dairy Queen
A popular location where locals hang out
When I was a boy, I couldn't wait to leave this place
As a child, the singer had a desire to leave this location
But now I wanna see my children raised down home
As an adult, the singer desires to raise their children in this location
Way down home, down home, way down home, down home
Repetition of the phrase 'down home' emphasizes the strong sense of community and belonging in this location
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RICK BOWLES, JOSH LEO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kimberly Bittner
on Carolina Mountain Dewe
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..