After a series of setbacks in 2019 and 2020, Alabama is resuming its 50th Anniversary Tour with back-to-back shows at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on July 2 and 3. The two shows mark Alabama’s first arena performance in Music City in nearly two decades, as well as the first full-capacity crowd at the arena since the pandemic.
Country music’s most-awarded band was forced to cancel more than 20 shows in 2019 because frontman Randy Owen was suffering from vertigo. Of course, the COVID pandemic put the kibosh on the rescheduled dates in 2020.
However, Alabama is now ready to roll on. The band’s Randy Owen, Jeff Cook, and Teddy Gentry are hitting the road for more than 20 dates in 2021 and 2022. And they are bringing along a bunch of their friends on select dates, including Martina McBride, The Marshall Tucker Band, Travis Tritt, Sara Evans, America, Grits & Glamour, Tracy Lawrence, The Beach Boys, The Frontmen of Country, and Jake Hoot.
Charlie Daniels was slated to join the troupe during many of the originally scheduled dates in 2019. Sadly, the Country Music Hall of Fame member passed away in 2020.
Golden Anniversary
Randy, Jeff, and Teddy began playing together in 1969 as Young Country. Eventually, they morphed into Wildcountry in 1972. They rebranded as Alabama in 1977 and signed a record deal with RCA Nashville in 1980. Unlike many country vocal groups of the time, Alabama was a full-fledged band. The guys played their own instruments, melding aspects of rock and country.
From 1980 to 1987, the band scored an unprecedented 21 consecutive No. 1 singles. They also won numerous awards, including CMA Entertainer of the Year in 1982, 1983, and 1984.
Now, Alabama is widely regarded as the greatest band in country music history.
“We are very thankful that we can play our music for our loyal fans of the past 50 years and introduce our songs to a new third and fourth generation of new fans,” said Randy Owen of Alabama. “We have rehearsed an all-new show that we are having fun performing. But you never know, we might even take requests from time to time. There’s nothing like the roar of the crowd, and we can’t wait to get back on the road.”
“This tour, that we are blessed to have, has the most amazing group of musicians and vocalists that we have ever had on the road,” added Teddy Gentry of Alabama. “In addition, we wanted to bring along some special friends to join us on tour each night. From The Marshall Tucker Band to Travis Tritt and Martina McBride to The Beach Boys, what a party we are going to have. I can’t tell you how ready we are to see and play for you.”
