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)
One Life
Alabama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Were losing faith and close to giving up
Then a young girl with no way to keep her baby
Laid in their arms a tiny gift of love
It only takes one life to make a miracle
One tiny ray of hope to light up the dark
It only takes one life to make a miracle
One honest prayer coming from the heart
A small coal mining town in West Virginia
Prayed as they kept vigil day and night
Saddened by the twelve who lives were taken
But also thankful one made it out alive
It only takes one life to make a miracle
One tiny ray of hope to light up the dark
It only takes one life to make a miracle
One honest prayer coming from the heart
Two thousand years ago the world lay waiting
For the Savior they were told would come
Then on that winter night there in a manger
God blessed the world with his one and only son
It only takes one life to make a miracle
One tiny ray of hope to light up the dark
It only takes one life to make a miracle
One honest prayer coming from the heart
It takes one honest prayer coming from your heart
"One Life" by Alabama is a song that revolves around the theme of how one life can bring about miracles with just a tiny ray of hope, and how the power of prayer can transform lives. The opening lyrics tell the story of a couple who have been praying for children, but were close to giving up, until a young girl with no way to keep her baby came into their arms and gave them a tiny gift of love. The song has deep meaning for many, as it speaks to the idea that sometimes our greatest blessings come from small acts of kindness.
The second verse of the song tells another story of a small coal mining town which kept vigil day and night, saddened by the loss of twelve, but also grateful that one person made it out alive. It's a reminder that amidst tragedy, there is always hope, and even one life that is saved can be cause for celebration. The final verse of the song brings us back to the birth of Jesus Christ, who brought the world hope, love, and salvation, all through the power of one life.
The song concludes by stating that it only takes one honest prayer coming from the heart to make a difference. "One Life" is about the power of faith, the miracles that can happen, and the hope that is always present in our world. The message that a single life can change the world is one that is greatly needed in the world today, and this song manages to capture that idea in a way that is both inspiring and moving.
Line by Line Meaning
A man and wife had prayed for years for children
A couple had been religiously praying for years, hoping to be gifted with a child.
Were losing faith and close to giving up
They were starting to lose hope and on the verge of surrendering their dream.
Then a young girl with no way to keep her baby
A girl who could not keep her baby, gave it to the couple.
Laid in their arms a tiny gift of love
The couple received the baby quietly, lovingly and gently held it in their arms.
It only takes one life to make a miracle
A single life can make a big difference.
One tiny ray of hope to light up the dark
One small glimmer of hope has the power to bring light into the darkness.
A small coal mining town in West Virginia
A small town in West Virginia known for coal mining.
Prayed as they kept vigil day and night
The people of the town kept vigil by endlessly praying day in, day out.
Saddened by the twelve who lives were taken
The town was grieving and mournful due to the lives that were lost (assumed to due to mining accidents).
But also thankful one made it out alive
Despite the grief-stricken times, they held onto hopefulness and felt grateful to have saved one life.
Two thousand years ago the world lay waiting
The world had been waiting in anticipation for thousands of years.
For the Savior they were told would come
They were told that the savior would arrive.
Then on that winter night there in a manger
On a winter night, in a manger, the savior was born.
God blessed the world with his one and only son
God granted his one and only son, who blessed the world by his presence.
It takes one honest prayer coming from your heart
One truthful prayer that comes from your heart can make all the difference in life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ADAM PAUL HICKS, BRYAN TODD, CARA MARIE ONOFRIO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Keeley Staples
When I was a little girl my dad would put this cassette on in his room and lay on his bed and listen to the whole album. He always sung his heart out to this one in particular, he told me to listen to my heart because true love comes once in a lifetime, but he was blessed twice. Once with his first marriage and the second was when he met my mother. This song will always have a place in my heart.
Rest Peacefully Dad.
Starr Beeler
What a beautiful story about your Dad ! ❤️🙏
Andy Hagg
The best country group of all time
Josh Wilson
My favorite song by alabama. This song speaks volumes of how the human heart deals with love
@christiessecret
Beautiful song.They dont make music like this anymore.
MMAFighter38
This is the way country music should sound
Dixie Cobb
Such a beautiful and emotional song. They truly dont make country like this imo but it might be because i grew up listening.
Jamie Ford
I absolutely love this song Randy voice is beautiful
TravelinBand747
I was in 7th grade, spring 1993 when this song was a hit. I loved the song “I’m in a Hurry” so I asked my mom for this album (American Pride) and she got it for me on CD. Great memories!
Shelia Burleson
Such talent. Love Alabama