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)
Tennessee River
Alabama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the mountains where I call home
Lord, times were good there
Don't know why I ever roamed
Oh, Tennessee River and a mountain man,
We get together anytime we can
Oh, Tennessee River and a mountain man,
Me and my woman's done made our plans
On the Tennessee River, walkin' hand in hand
Gonna raise a famly, Lord, settle down
Where peace and love can still be found
Oh, Tennessee River and a mountain man,
We get together anytime we can
Oh, Tennessee River and a mountain man,
We play together in Mother Nature's band
Alabama's song "Tennessee River" tells the story of a man who was born and raised in the mountains across the river from where he currently resides. The man reminisces about the good times he had in the mountains and wonders why he ever left. The song speaks of the strong connection between the man and the Tennessee River, as well as the mountains that he still calls home. The river and the mountains are depicted as sources of comfort and companionship, personified as a band with Mother Nature at the helm.
As the song progresses, the man speaks of his plans and dreams for the future. He wants to start a family with his woman on the banks of the Tennessee River, where they can find peace and love. The song speaks of the man's longing to go back to his roots and to live a simple life, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Overall, the song is a tribute to the beauty and importance of nature, and the deep connection that people have with it. It also speaks to the idea of finding solace and comfort in the familiar and the natural, rather than constantly seeking new horizons.
Line by Line Meaning
I was born across the river
I was born on the other side of the Tennessee River.
In the mountains where I call home
My home is in the mountains where I grew up.
Lord, times were good there
Life was good in the mountains where I was born.
Don't know why I ever roamed
I don't know why I left the place where I grew up.
Oh, Tennessee River and a mountain man,
The Tennessee River and I, a man from the mountains,
We get together anytime we can
We come together as often as possible.
Me and my woman's done made our plans
My woman and I have made plans for our future.
On the Tennessee River, walkin' hand in hand
We plan to settle down by the Tennessee River and walk together hand in hand.
Gonna raise a famly, Lord, settle down
Our plan is to start a family and have a peaceful life.
Where peace and love can still be found
We hope to find a place where love and peace is still present.
We play together in Mother Nature's band
The Tennessee River and I, we enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature's creation together.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: RANDY OWEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sara~SlightlyAwkwardIntuitive
This band will always be one of my favorites.
Kenny Davis
I heard this song in 1980 and I thought man this group has got something. Became an instant fan while Alabama delivered many #1 consecutive hits.
Thomas Smith
Hello Kenny. How are you doing?
Angela Rice
This is always one of my favorites and I’m so sorry to hear about Jeff Cook about passing away he sure was a good fiddle player RIP Jeff Cook .
David Blees
I remember Alabama well when my late wife and I were dating many many years ago. Keep up the beautiful meaningful music. Brings back many great memories.
T Pooh
2023. Needed a little comfort myself..
I truly hope you've found some peace David Blees
Smoke and Mirrors
Listening to this song while literally on the Tennessee river! Also I am a mountain man!
Fabulous Robert
This song was a real big hit in its day. On every radio station.
Alabama won tons of awards, trophy’s, hall of fame, you name it.
It was a good time to be country.
Fabulous Robert
@Edward Kelstrup
Yeah, exactly huh. It’s like going to a museum and seeing old guitars, stage outfits and pictures from those country singers of its day, and listening to music demonstrations via headphones 🎧 connected to a music and video storage device to relive its time.
Sort of reminds me of that song by the Bárbara Mandrell, “I was country, when country wasn’t cool”
It was a song she sung on her tv show back in the day. Besides, I never, if ever see anyone dressing and listening to country.
Sign of the Times
Edward Kelstrup
And now country music kind of....sucks. It's so pretentious and whiny. No longer singing the joys of country living and the pride of country life.