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)
Face To Face
Alabama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And softly kiss my lips
And hold me close in your embrace
And love me face to face
Face to face, heart to heart
Body to body
Tingling tangle feelings
I'll caress your body
And hold you close to me
I'll slide my hands around your waist
And love you face to face
Face to face, heart to heart
Body to body
Lips on lips, arm and arm
Body to body
Tingling tangle feelings
And lovers face to face
Softly say you love me > female
As you make love to me > female
No one else can take your place
We happen face to face
The lyrics of Alabama's song "Face to Face" depict a passionate and intimate encounter between two lovers. The singer calls upon his partner to run her fingers through his hair, kiss him softly, hold him tightly in her embrace, and love him face to face. The phrase "face to face" is used repeatedly throughout the song as part of a romantic refrain that emphasizes the intimate nature of the encounter.
The singer promises to caress his partner's body, hold her close, and slide his hands around her waist as they engage in lovemaking. The lyrics are sensual and romantic, evoking feelings of love and desire. The song celebrates the deep emotional and physical connection that two people can share when they are truly "face to face."
Line by Line Meaning
Run your fingers through my hair
Please submerge your fingers in my hair
And softly kiss my lips
Place a gentle and delicate kiss on my mouth
And hold me close in your embrace
Clasp me tightly in your arms with a loving hold
And love me face to face
Whisper sweet nothings into my ears while looking directly into my eyes
Face to face, heart to heart
Eye to eye, feeling to feeling
Body to body
Physical love and closeness
Tingling tangle feelings
Intense sensations of excitement and joy
And lovers face to face
Two people in love admiring each other's beauty
I'll caress your body
I will show affection towards your physique
And hold you close to me
I will keep you tightly in my arms
I'll slide my hands around your waist
I will place my hands around your mid-section
And love you face to face
I will express my love while maintaining eye contact
Lips on lips, arm and arm
Kissing each other while embracing in a warm and cozy hug
Softly say you love me > female
The female partner whispers words of love
As you make love to me > female
The female partner expresses love in a physical way
No one else can take your place
No other person is as special or meaningful as you are to me
We happen face to face
Our love is nurtured and expressed through direct interaction
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: RANDY OWEN
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..