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)
Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree
Alabama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mistletoe hung where you can see every couple of tries to stop
Rockin' around the Christmas tree let the Christmas spirit ring
Later we'll have some pumpkin pie and we'll do some caroling
You will get a sentimental feeling, when you hear voices singing
"let's be jolly, deck the halls with boughs of holly"
Everyone feeling merrily in the new old-fashioned way
You will get a sentimental feeling, when you hear voices singing
"let's be jolly, deck the halls with boughs of holly"
Yeah, rockin' around the Christmas tree have a happy holiday
Everyone feeling merrily in the new old-fashioned way
"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" is a classic Christmas song that was first recorded by Brenda Lee in 1958. The song has a lot of energy and a catchy melody that makes it an instant hit. The song talks about how people are rocking around the Christmas tree at a holiday party, with mistletoe hanging where you can see every couple trying to stop. Moreover, the lyrics talk about the Christmas spirit ringing and how later, everyone will have some pumpkin pie and do some caroling.
The song's chorus emphasizes the joy and happiness that people feel during the Christmas season. It is the time when people come together to celebrate, and the festive spirit is in the air. The lyrics mention how you get a sentimental feeling when you hear people singing and how everyone is feeling merry in the new old-fashioned way. Overall, the song is a beautiful celebration of the Christmas season and the joy and happiness it brings.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, rockin' around the Christmas tree at the Christmas party hop
Gather around the Christmas tree and dance to the music at the Christmas party hop
Mistletoe hung where you can see every couple of tries to stop
The mistletoe is hung in plain view, and couples keep trying to resist kissing underneath it
Rockin' around the Christmas tree let the Christmas spirit ring
Dance around the Christmas tree and let the spirit of Christmas fill the air
Later we'll have some pumpkin pie and we'll do some caroling
Afterwards, we will enjoy some pumpkin pie and sing some Christmas carols
You will get a sentimental feeling, when you hear voices singing
When you hear people singing, it will bring up nostalgic feelings and emotions
"let's be jolly, deck the halls with boughs of holly"
The chorus of the song, encouraging everyone to be happy and decorate for the holidays
Well, rockin' around the Christmas tree, have a happy holiday
Enjoy the holiday season by dancing around the Christmas tree
Everyone feeling merrily in the new old-fashioned way
Everyone is feeling joyful and happy in a traditional, nostalgic way
Lyrics © DistroKid, ST. NICHOLAS MUSIC INC., Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Johnny Marks
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..