Alabama | |
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Alabama at Bayfest in Mobile, Alabama in 2014
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Background information | |
Also known as | Young Country Wildcountry |
Origin | Fort Payne, Alabama, United States |
Genres | |
Years active | 1969–2004, 2006–2007, 2010–present |
Labels | GRT, MDJ, RCA Records, BMG Chrysalis |
Website | www |
Members |
Randy Owen Teddy Gentry Jeff Cook |
Past members | Mark Herndon Jackie Owen Tommy Hucks Rick Scott Bennett Vartanian Dino Pastin |
Alabama is an American country, Southern rock band formed in Fort Payne, Alabama, in 1969. The band was founded by Randy Owen (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) and his cousin Teddy Gentry (bass guitar, background vocals). They were soon joined by their other cousin, Jeff Cook (lead guitar, fiddle, and keyboards). First operating under the name Wildcountry, 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 Records for a record deal.
Alabama's biggest success came in the 1980s, where the band had over 27 number one hits, seven multi-platinum albums and received numerous awards. Alabama's first single on RCA Records, "Tennessee River", began a streak of 21 number one 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 2003 following a farewell tour and two albums of inspirational music but reunited in 2010 and have continued to record and tour worldwide.