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)
New Year
Alabama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How does the turn of the century sound
I guarantee that we'll have a good time
New Year's Eve 1999
Now I know it sounds a bit premature
But I'm askin' you now 'cause I want to be sure
Do you have anything else in mind
We'll drink pink champagne from a plastic cup
Dance all night 'til the sun comes up
We'll say it's been a pretty good century
Except for that weekend in '93
Then we'll go home to our warn winter bed
And tuck in the kids with a kiss on the head
And sing one more chorus of Auld Lang Syne
New Year's Eve 1999
I'll be your sweetheart if you'll be mine
New Year's Eve 1999, New Year's Eve 1999
The song "New Year's Eve 1999" by Alabama is an upbeat, nostalgic song about celebrating the turn of the century with a loved one. The singer of the song suggests making plans for New Year's Eve 1999, emphasizing that it will be a significant event. He is proposing a night out on the town with his significant other, promising a good time. The singer is asking his loved one early because he wants to be sure that they will spend the evening together.
The second verse of the song focuses on the celebratory nature of the night. The singer suggests drinking pink champagne from plastic cups and dancing all night until the sun comes up. The lyrics are lighthearted and playful, touching on the idea that New Year's Eve is a time for enjoying life and letting go of worries. The chorus is about the idea of starting a new year together, being sweethearts as they ring in the new millennium.
The song is a reflection of the excitement surrounding the year 2000 and the end of the 20th century. It speaks to the idea of new beginnings and the importance of sharing those moments with someone special. The song is nostalgic in nature, highlighting the passing of time and the significance of memories. Overall, "New Year's Eve 1999" is a fun and celebratory song that captures the excitement of a historical moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, let's make a date for a night on the town
Let's plan a night out together
How does the turn of the century sound
How about celebrating the start of the new century
I guarantee that we'll have a good time
I promise we will enjoy ourselves
New Year's Eve 1999
The date we will celebrate
Now I know it sounds a bit premature
I know it may be early to make plans
But I'm askin' you now 'cause I want to be sure
I'm asking now to confirm our plans
Do you have anything else in mind
Do you have other ideas for celebrating?
We'll drink pink champagne from a plastic cup
We'll drink champagne, even if from a less fancy vessel
Dance all night 'til the sun comes up
We'll dance all the way until the next morning
We'll say it's been a pretty good century
We'll remark how the last century went well
Except for that weekend in '93
Aside from that one eventful weekend
Then we'll go home to our warn winter bed
We'll head home to warm and cozy beds
And tuck in the kids with a kiss on the head
We'll give our kids goodnight kisses
And sing one more chorus of Auld Lang Syne
We'll sing the classic New Year's song together
New Year's Eve 1999
The event we're celebrating
I'll be your sweetheart if you'll be mine
Let's be each others' companions
New Year's Eve 1999, New Year's Eve 1999
The date of celebration, reiterated
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PETERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brooke Mckinley
This is why I’m glad to be a home body and never go anywhere. So sad. Praying for these people and their families
Zenfix
The video is really awesome 💯
Desert_FoxX1997
Alabama is so ghetto, I’m glad I’m from California.
silent majority
Sure no details so you can continue to believe diversity is a strength
Faze Grant TV
@Desert_FoxX1997 fr
Cynthia Blanchard
I hope everyone is ok
Gale Martin
Your hopes are meaningless. Action changes everything.
Human
@Gale Martin for a temporary moment yes.
The Communication Coach
@silent majority Uhhhh, what?
kmari3🫣
mostly only 1 died, 9 are hurt 3 of those are still in the hospital. Me and my friends were down there during this moment, since downtown is where everybody else was going this new year’s eve we decided to go.. was fun besides the shooting part but it was shot up 4 times🤷🏽♀️🤷🏽♀️ . Not much you can do about it