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)
Hometown Honeymoon
Alabama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And make me a happy man
I ain't rich but I found my fortune in you
Two jobs on the nighttime shift
I'm still left with an empty fist
But my heart is full and my love is true
We can still get married in the style of our friends and family
Gather all of them to celebrate while we slip out quietly
And have a hometown honeymoon
Wildflowers and love is in bloom
We'll have a hometown honeymoon just me and you
Hometown honeymoon
Get out of church and up to your room
We'll have a hoe-down afternoon
Dancing to the rhythm of love
We can sing and laugh out loud
Lifestyles of the poor but proud
Cuddle up on the porch and enjoy the view
We can't afford Niagara Falls
But there's a fountain by the old town hall
We'll make a wish by the light of a lover's moon
I'll get my Grandma's wedding ring and my brother's Chevrolet
We can stay at your mama's house; we don't have to go away
To have a hometown honeymoon
Wildflowers and love is in bloom
We'll have a hometown honeymoon
Dancing to the rhythm of love
Your daddy's prize possession
I'll make a good impression
I'm gonna get his blessing that's all we need
Hometown honeymoon
Wildflowers and love is in bloom
We'll have a hometown honeymoon just me and you
Hometown honeymoon
Get out of church and up to your room
We'll have a hoe-down afternoon
Dancing to the rhythm of love
Hometown honeymoon
Hometown honeymoon
The song "Hometown Honeymoon" by Alabama is a love song that tells a story of a man in love with a woman who is his everything. The man is not wealthy, but he has found his fortune in the woman he loves. Through the lyrics, the man expresses his desire to marry the woman, while acknowledging the limitations in their financial status. The man proposes a hometown honeymoon celebration with no grandeur, only the two of them; a simple and joyous celebration to commemorate their love. The choice of the term 'hometown' in the title of the song suggests a sense of belonging, familiarity, and comfort that comes with being in a place where one feels at home.
The song invites listeners to appreciate the beauty of pure love that transcends wealth and grandeur. It teaches that true happiness does not necessarily come from wealth, status, or material possessions. It comes from sharing life with someone who makes you feel loved, appreciated, and worthy. The song also emphasizes the importance of family and community in shaping relationships. The man in the song acknowledges the role played by the woman's father in their lives and seeks his approval to further strengthen the bond between him and his lover.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey baby won't you take my hand
The singer implores his beloved to take his hand, indicating his desire for her.
And make me a happy man
The singer expresses his hope that his beloved will make him happy.
I ain't rich but I found my fortune in you
The singer acknowledges his lack of wealth, but asserts that he has found something more valuable in his beloved.
Two jobs on the nighttime shift
The singer works two jobs during the night shift.
I'm still left with an empty fist
Despite his hard work, the singer still doesn't have much to show for it financially.
But my heart is full and my love is true
The singer is rich in love and committed to his beloved.
We can still get married in the style of our friends and family
The couple can have a wedding that is in keeping with the traditions of their loved ones.
Gather all of them to celebrate while we slip out quietly
The couple can have a low-key departure from their wedding reception, avoiding any ostentatious displays.
And have a hometown honeymoon
The couple can have a honeymoon in their hometown.
Wildflowers and love is in bloom
The setting for their hometown honeymoon is idyllic and romantic.
We'll have a hometown honeymoon just me and you
The couple's honeymoon will be an intimate affair.
Get out of church and up to your room
Following their wedding, the couple can leave the church and go to their honeymoon suite.
We'll have a hoe-down afternoon
The couple will have a lively and informal afternoon of dancing and celebration.
Dancing to the rhythm of love
The couple's happiness and love will be reflected in the way they dance together.
We can sing and laugh out loud
The couple will express their joy and contentment through singing and laughter.
Lifestyles of the poor but proud
The couple are proud of their humble origins and the life they have built together.
Cuddle up on the porch and enjoy the view
The couple will relax together and enjoy the scenery from their porch.
We can't afford Niagara Falls
The couple cannot afford more expensive honeymoon destinations.
But there's a fountain by the old town hall
They can still enjoy a romantic setting, even if it's not as famous or extravagant.
We'll make a wish by the light of a lover's moon
The couple will make a wish for their future together under a romantic moonlit sky.
I'll get my Grandma's wedding ring and my brother's Chevrolet
The singer will use important and sentimental family items to make their honeymoon special.
We can stay at your mama's house; we don't have to go away
The couple can stay with family instead of having to pay for a hotel, which also highlights the importance of their loved ones.
Your daddy's prize possession
The singer refers to something that his beloved's father values highly.
I'll make a good impression
The singer hopes to make a positive impression on his beloved's father.
I'm gonna get his blessing that's all we need
The singer believes that if her father gives them his blessing, they will have everything they need to start their life together.
Hometown honeymoon
The singer returns to the idea of a hometown honeymoon, emphasizing the importance of their roots and connection to their community.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES PHOTOGLO, JIM PHOTOGLO, 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..