How about ya, Alabama, roll on.
The most successful band in country music history, Alabama, is gearing up for the opening of their Country Music Hall of Fame exhibit later this month. The new exhibit, Alabama: Song of the South, will highlight the groupâs rise to stardom and feature stage wear, instruments, awards, mementos, photographs and more. The exhibits is slated to open on Aug. 26 and run through July 2017.
Formed by cousins Jeff Cook, Teddy Gentry and Randy Owen in 1977âwith the addition of drummer Mark Herndon in 1979âthe band signed with RCA in 1980 and blazed a trail of country music success, selling tens of millions of albums and earning a bevy of awards, culminating with their induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005.
Exhibit highlights include:
- Jeff Cookâs first electric guitar, a 1960s Silvertone U-1, that he played in his first band
- Randy Owenâs Music Man Sting Ray I, used to write hits such as âMountain Music.â and played by Brad Paisley when he recorded his tribute to the group, âOld Alabamaâ
- Original, handwritten manuscript for âBorn Country,â by Byron Hill and John Schweers
- Table-top radio that belonged to Teddy Gentryâs grandfather, âPaw Paw,â on which Gentry heard country music growing up
- Numerous awards, including Grammy, ACM, and CMA trophies presented to Alabama
- Gibson J-50 acoustic guitar that belonged to Randy Owenâs father, used by Owen on early recordings
- Brocade suit, one of Jeff Cookâs first stage costumes
- Fringed suede shirt, given to Gentry by William Lee Golden of the Oak Ridge Boys at Alabamaâs first June Jam, 1982
The Hall of Fame is currently featuring exhibits on Blake Shelton, Dierks Bentley and Zac Brown Band.
photo courtesy Hot Schatz PR