 For over 25 years, Randy Owen, front man and lead vocalist of
the Group Alabama has just about done it all. Alabama, comprised of Randy Owen,
Teddy Gentry, Jeff Cook and Mark Herndon, signed a recording contract with RCA
Records in 1980, launching a career that to date has resulted in 21 gold,
platinum and multi-platinum albums, 42 number one singles and over 65 million
records sold. Alabama has received over 150 industry awards including 8 country
music "Entertainer of the Year" honors, 2 Grammys, 2 People's Choice Awards and
their very own star on the "Hollywood Walk of Fame." They were named the "Artist
of the Decade" by the Academy of Country Music in 1989 and "Country Group of the
Century" by the Recording Industry Association of America in 1999. In November
2005 Randy Owen and his Alabama Band mates received Country Musics highest
honor, being inducted into The Country Music Hall of Fame.
Alabama's fans have honored them in countless ways, securing the group's place
in country music history. But the millions of albums sold, the awards won, and
the hits created tell only a small portion of the story. With 65 million albums
sold worldwide, Alabama is one of the 20 best-selling acts of all time. In the
U.S. alone, Alabama has sold more albums than Eric Clapton or Bob Dylan. They've
outsold veteran rock bands like Chicago, Journey, Foreigner, Boston, and even
The Doors. Alabama is one of the five biggest-selling country artists and the
best-selling country group of all time, with career album sales that surpass
those of Willie Nelson and Reba McEntire.
Randy Owen and Alabama have been honored with more accolades and awards than any
country music band in history. Following their hearts and their feelings has
served Alabama well. Known for their charitable endeavors, Alabama has received
the Bob Hope, Minnie Pearl and Country Radio Broadcasters' Humanitarian Awards
and the B.M.I. President's Trophy. Randy Owen personally accepted the
President's Award, which has only been presented five other times.
Alabama has also been the recipient of 23 American Music
Awards since 1983, including their prestigious Award of Merit, making the group
the most awarded artist in the 32 year history of the American Music Awards.
Alabama has also been inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. In 2003,
Alabama was honored with the Academy of Country Music Pioneer Award. In December
2003, Randy Owen and fellow band mates received the International Quality of
Life Award from Auburn University in ceremonies held at the United Nations
Building in New York City. Past honorees include Millard Fuller, founder and
president of Habitat for Humanity International; Madeleine Albright, former US
Secretary of State and Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa.
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