Broken Bow Records announces the release of Crossin Dixon's new single and video 'I Love My Old Bird Dog (And I Love You)'.
Randy´s New Show Gets a Great Review, By ROY GRABER, Courier Editor
Randy Speaks With 4-H
RANDY SIGNS WITH BROKEN BOW RECORDS
FORT PAYNE HONORS ALABAMA BAND WITH STATUES
Randy Featured by 'American Songwriter Magazine'
Another Great Day For Charity
A Wonderful Honor for Randy
Jason Aldean Introduces Crowd Favorite "Relentless" To Radio And Television Audiences -- "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" Among TV Appearances
06.10.2008
Keepin' track of Randy!
Randy Owen teamed up with his Alabama band mates, Jeff Cook, Teddy Gentry and Mark Herndon, in their home base of Ft. Payne, Alabama on Saturday for the unveiling of a larger-than-life bronze statue of the Country Music Hall of Fame superstars. Located at the corner of Ft. Payne City Park at Gault Avenue and 4th St. NE, the home of the new statues was packed with locals, city and state dignitaries and the families of all four members.
Randy was in Washington DC yesterday to accept an NAB Education Foundation ´s Celebration of Service to America Award on behalf of Country Cares for St. Jude Kids, one of the most successful radio fund-raising events in America, for which Owen played a vital role in establishing in 1989. Since its inception, Country Cares has worked with nearly 200 radio stations to raise over $340 million for the kids of St. Jude.
His debut single on Broken Bow Records, "Like I Never Broke Her Heart," ships to radio this week. Written by Shannon Lawson and Mitzi Dawn, Randy felt an immediate connection with the song. "When I first heard this I thought it was one of the greatest titles I ´d ever heard," he recalls. "This is one of those great songs I like to wrap myself around and really get into. It ´s one of my family ´s favorite songs."
06.02.2008
Broken Bow Records announces the release of Crossin Dixon's new single and video 'I Love My Old Bird Dog (And I Love You)'.
Crossin Dixon’s new release ’I Love My Old Bird Dog (And I Love You)’ is now at radio with a video for the single to follow in mid-June! Famed Nashville songwriters Brett James and Bill Luther penned the group’s latest single, and the video was directed by Ruckus Films’ Wes Edwards whose past work includes videos from Jason Aldean, TraceAdkins, and Blake Shelton. Meanwhile, Crossin Dixon continues to rock the stage live this summer, and has begun to embark on a nation-wide radio tour. Be sure to check out the guys’ new single on iTunes and don’t forget to request the song at your local radio station today!!
06.01.2008
Randy´s New Show Gets a Great Review, By ROY GRABER, Courier Editor
The look may have been different, but the sound was remarkably similar.
When Randy Owen, known worldwide as the lead singer of the band Alabama took the stage at the Winfield Country Roundup Thursday night, he had a different crew in tow.
The country roundup continues through today in Winfield at the fairgrounds.
His backup band and singers were mostly younger and beard-free, and his fiddle player was a young woman wearing a red spaghetti strap dress and high heels.
While some Roundup attendees were worried that Owen would not be playing the old Alabama classics that helped make him famous, he quickly put those fears to rest. He opened by coming on the catwalk of the stage singing "If You´re Gonna Play in Texas."
For his second number he performed "Forty Hour Week," and at the end of the song, he repeated the line "Hello, Kansas wheat field farmer, let me thank you for your time."
But it wasn´t just the farmers who got the message of appreciation.
"I thank you for your time. Thank you for being here," Owen said.
Owen went on to perform hit after hit in a high energy show, frequently drawing attention to and appreciation for the members of his band. While he mostly sang during the set, he also showcased his guitar-playing skills on a few numbers.
In a festival that has historically been plagued by damp weather, Owen praised the festival and the Kansas weather.
"I wish every show we did was like this one. I like the folks, I like the atmosphere, I like the temperature," he said.
After, Owen closed his show, he sang three encores. Flattered by the admiration shown by the fans, he reciprocated.
"I love you all more than you love me," he said. "I´ll guarantee it."
Owen came out after performances from Pat Green, Jypsi and Rubbermaid Idol contestants.
05.28.2008
Randy Speaks With 4-H
Randy, a 4-H alumni whose legendary group ALABAMA is featured on the new CLOVER COUNTRY CD, was recently interviewed by the 4-H
Network’s brightest, aspiring young journalist, 10-year-old Claire Turner. Turner, who belongs to Washington 4-H, was in Las Vegas
to interview country artists associated with 4-H and the CLOVER COUNTRY project.
CLOVER COUNTRY is a country music compilation CD that features famous 4-H alumni, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the
good works of 4-H. The project aims to generate awareness and support for 4-H,America's largest youth development organization.
Featured artists on CLOVER COUNTRY includeSugarland, Dolly Parton, Martina McBride, Faith Hill, Reba McEntire, Vince Gill, Alabama,
Luke Bryan, Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell and Hillary Lindsey. The CD is currently available through www.4-hmall.org.
CLOVER COUNTRY first came to fruition when 4-H internal representatives recognized that many 4-H alumni where high profile country
artists, interested in continuing their support for 4-H. The project was specifically conceived to include only those recording
artists with a 4-H background and history. EMI Music Special Markets was tapped to manufacture, distribute and assist in marketing
the CD. Don Floyd and Jennifer Sirangelo serve as Executive Producers of the project, which was produced by Loren Harriet.
Randy was in Las Vegas to attend the Academy of Country Music Awards and to headline a free concert at the Fremont Street Experience,
an annual event leading up to the ACMs. 4-H alumni JENNIFER NETTLES and her band SUGARLAND, topped the bill at Fremont Street the
following evening. 4-H alumni REBA MCINTIRE was tapped to host the ACM’s for the 10th time in her career.
4-H is the nation’s largest youth development organization, serving 6.5 million young people across America. National 4-H Council is
the national, private sector, non-profit partner of the 4-H Youth Development Program and its parent, the Cooperative Extension System
of the United States Department of Agriculture. For more information, visit www.4-h.org. For more information on Clover Country, please
visit www.clovercountrycd.com.
05.27.2008
RANDY SIGNS WITH BROKEN BOW RECORDS
Single in June, One On One to Hit November 11, 2008
(Nashville, Tennessee…) – May 27, 2008 – Benny Brown, Owner/CEO of Broken Bow Records, has announced the signing of Country Music Hall of
Famer and front man of the legendary group Alabama Randy Owen to the powerhouse independent label. The first single will ship June 11, and
his debut solo project One On One will hit stores November 11, 2008.
“Randy Owen has played a major role in country music’s success over the past 25 years,” said Brown. “And along the way he’s been humble,
generous and real. Randy’s also a great family man and humanitarian. I speak for the entire BBR team when I say how excited we are to be
in business with Randy. I can’t wait for everyone to hear his first solo album.”
“We’re really proud of what we accomplished on our own with Randy’s ‘Braid My Hair’ release as a tool to help raise money and awareness
for Country Cares for St. Jude Kids,” said Dale Morris & Associates’ Shawn Pennington. “Broken Bow has established itself as a leader among
independent labels, and we look forward to working with their team to make a strong impact at radio, retail and other levels for Randy Owen.”
Produced by John Rich, of Big & Rich fame, Randy wrote or co-wrote seven of the 11 cuts on One On One. In addition to the numerous music
industry awards Randy received as a member of Alabama, he recently received The Paul G. Rogers Public Service Award for his work with St.
Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor. On June 9, he will accept the NAB Service to America Award
on behalf of Country Cares for St. Jude Kids. Randy played a vital role in establishing the Country Cares radiothon program in 1989, and it has
raised an astounding $340 million for the kids of St. Jude.
“Signing with Broken Bow is something I’m truly excited about for me and my whole team,” said Randy about the news. “I definitely felt an
immediate connection with everyone at the label, and meeting Benny Brown and Brad Howell (GM of BBR) was like meeting people I grew up with
– down home people like I am. We share a lot in common, and that’s helpful when you’re working together to get this music out there.”
This past weekend, Randy and his family hosted their 25th annual Hereford Cattle Sale at his Tennessee River Music Ranch. Over $200,000 was
raised for the Hereford Youth Foundation of America. On June 5, he and his 10-piece band will headline the opening night of the debut BamaJam
Music & Arts Festival in Enterprise,Alabama.
05.22.2008
FORT PAYNE HONORS ALABAMA BAND WITH STATUES
Larger-than-life bronze statues of Country Music Hall of Fame superstars Alabama will be dedicated during a ceremony at City Park in downtown
Fort Payne on June 7th. Government officials, music business executives, friends, fans, and family members will assemble to honor the band.
The public is cordially invited to attend the dedication ceremony, which begins at 11:00 a.m. CDT.
Three members of the group grew up in Fort Payne, and all four of them have ived in the Fort Payne area throughout most of their mutual career.
“We’re extremely proud that their home has been in Alabama,” says Fort Payne City council President Johnny Eberhart. “We wanted to carve that
pride in stone.” During a stellar career that lasted over thirty years, the band produced 21 gold, platinum and multi-platinum albums and 42
number one singles, selling over 73 million records. 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. They have entertained millions of loyal fans.
The corner of Fort Payne City Park at Gault Avenue and 4th Street Northeast is being prepared for the statues. Sandstone, limestone and reclaimed
Fort Payne boom-era bricks are being utilized. The entire park is currently being renovated to enhance the overall visitor experience. Eberhart
and Mayor Bill Jordan are directing the park improvements and statue installation.
“We want Alabama’s fans to join us in Fort Payne for this very special day,” added Mayor Jordan. For additional information, contact City Clerk
Jim McGee, (256) 845-1524 cityhall@fortpayne.org
05.12.2008
Randy Featured by 'American Songwriter Magazine'
Randy reveals song-writing secrets, recounts stories from his days with Alabama and discusses his solo career in an exclusive interview with
‘American Songwriter Magazine.’
What is your usual process for writing a song, and has it changed over the years?
I wish I had a formula - like the great writers - but that is not me. I wish I could!
One of the great Alabama songs, “Feels So Right”…one of the newly-recorded songs on the new CD The Last Stand, is only available at Cracker Barrel.
Do you remember writing that one?
I was 17 and wrote that song one afternoon about my sweetheart. I had never known anyone that was as beautiful as that girl. A couple years late
r I played it for a girl from West Virginia, back when we were playing at The Bowery in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I was thinking about changing
the 2nd verse and, when I played the song, she told me not to re-write that 2nd verse. So I didn't. I played at the Bowery one night, and people
seemed to like it. When Alabama became bigger I played it for [our producer] Harold Shedd in the studio at The Music Mill in Nashville. We cut the
song, and I didn’t play my original licks, but the musicians made it sound so good…I sang the song that night, and people in the studio felt really
good about it... “Feels So Right.” When we were doing the 2nd June Jam in Fort Payne, Alabama, I was singing that song, looked across the lights…and
the light beam was in the face of the girl that I wrote the song for years earlier; we smiled at each other - it was a special moment.
Now…who did you co-write with for your upcoming solo album [as yet unreleased], produced by John Rich?
I've been writing with John Rich and his crew - Shannon Lawson, James Otto, and Vicky McGehee - The Muzik Mafia folks. I love those people…takes me back
to the Myrtle Beach days. The Muzik Mafia is what I stepped into in Myrtle Beach in 1973 - all the varieties of music and people - and they all loved
music of all kinds…rock, country, southern rock…Mickey Spillain, the famed author, used to hang out with us. He would buy us beers when we didn’t have
a lot of money. We’d go to his house on Murrell’s Inlet, just below Myrtle Beach, we’d have an oyster fry and shrimp and a bunch of great food on many
Sunday afternoons. I saw him a couple years ago before he passed way, and he said he was working on another book at the time.
Which songwriter that is no longer with us would you have loved to have written song with, if it would have been possible?
[Pause] HANK - The king of them all!
04.29.2008
Another Great Day For Charity
The 21st Annual Randy Owen Golf Tournament, held Saturday at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Florence, Alabama, not only drew music artists
such as Angela Hacker, David St Romain, James LeBlanc and Megan Mullins but also attracted baseball Hall Of Famers Johnny Bench and Gaylord Perry.
The MuzikMafia's Two-Foot Fred was on hand to keep golfers refreshed with drinks and cigars.
The annual tourney is played on a different course in Alabama each year and has raised over $2 million for children in the Alabama Sheriffs'
Youth Ranches. There are four ranches across the state of Alabama, three of which house boys and one that houses girls. Each ranch is home to
10 children between the ages of 6 and 18, and, in the organization's 40-year history, it has served more than 3,000 kids.
"When the man calls, I'm there," Johnny Bench said told Florence's Times Daily newspaper as he waited outside the clubhouse for his tee time.
"It's been 22 years since the first time I heard Alabama perform, and that was when I was in Tampa, Fla. Needless to say, their music is special."
04.21.2008
A Wonderful Honor for Randy
A Wonderful Honor for Randy
(Nashville, Tennessee…) – April 21, 2008 – Randy Owen, lead singer of the legendary group Alabama has been chosen to receive the prestigious Ellis
Island Medal of Honor in a ceremony to be held in New York City on Saturday, May 10, 2008.
The Ellis Island Medal of Honor was established in 1986 to pay tribute to the immigrant experience and individual achievement, and are awarded to U.S.
citizens from various ethnic backgrounds. The honorees are awarded for showing outstanding qualities in their personal and professional lives, yet
maintaining the richness of their particular heritage. The award ceremony is held each May on Ellis Island. The Honor is recognized by the United States House of Representatives and the Senate, and as such the names of all winners are listed in the Congressional Record.
Past recipients include six U.S. Presidents, Nobel Prize winners, athletes, leaders of industry, artists and actors such as Bill Clinton, George H.W.
Bush, Gerald Ford, Bob Hope as well as others whose work has made a lasting impact on humanity. Owen joins a select few music artists such as Glen
Campbell, Natalie Cole, Wayne Newton, who have received the honor over the years.
“This is one of the most memorable things to happen to my family and me,” said Randy. “I am so proud to be able to represent a whole lot of my family.
This just shows you as a kid growing up in poverty, with a lot of love and determination, you can do a lot in this great country.”
As the lead singer and principle songwriter of Alabama, Randy Owen received over 150 industry awards including eight Country Music Association honors
for "Entertainer of the Year", two Grammys, two 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 and "Country Group of the Century" by the Recording Industry Association of America. In November
2005 Randy and his Alabama band mates received Country Music’s highest honor, being inducted into The Country Music Hall of Fame. Alabama is one of the
20 best-selling acts of all time racking up 21 gold, platinum and multi-platinum albums, 42 number one singles and more than 73 million records sold.
Randy Owen has played a part in many different causes and charitable events throughout the years. His passion for helping others is evident through the
types of causes he chooses to support. He has played an integral role in raising millions of dollars for schools, public service organizations, hospitals,
youth ranches and scholarships through a myriad of events. But perhaps nothing touches his heart quite like his 19-year commitment to the kids of St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital. In 1989 Randy was asked to address the Country Radio Seminar in Nashville following the death of Danny Thomas who was to be
the seminar’s keynote speaker. Inspired by the dreams and determination Thomas, who founded St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Randy offered a challenge
to those in attendance to accept Danny’s dream of eradicating childhood cancers and other catastrophic diseases. Randy delivered the message well. Country
radio accepted the challenge, and “Country Cares for St. Jude Kids” was born. The national radiothon program is embraced by hundreds of radio stations all
over America, having raised over $315 million to date.
Last summer, Tony Thomas, son of Danny, presented Randy with the Founder’s Award - an honor that Danny only bestowed on very special occasions. In June,
Randy will be on hand to accept an award at the 10th annual NAB Education Foundation's Celebration of Service to America Awards on behalf of Country Cares
for St. Jude Kids. In addition, The Friends of the National Library of Medicine organization have chosen him to receive the Paul G. Rogers Public Service
Award for his many years of work with St. Jude at a ceremony in Washington, DC on May 13, 2008.
Randy recently recorded his debut solo project, One On One, which will hit stores later this year. He performs regularly with his new band and will hit the
road on a nationwide tour beginning May 31.
About NECO:
NECO was created in 1984 on the conviction of its founder, William Denis Fugazy, that the diversity of the American people is what makes this nation great.
NECO's mission is simple-to honor our diverse Past, to advocate for positive change in the Present, and to build strong leaders for the Future. We do this
with one goal in mind. To help create the world of the future today. NECO is a non profit 501(C) (3) organization with strategic alliances that allow us to
support a range of diverse programs and insure that every dollar we spend goes to creating a better world in the future for us all.
04.11.2008
Jason Aldean Introduces Crowd Favorite "Relentless" To Radio And Television Audiences -- "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" Among TV Appearances
Nashville, Tenn. (April 9, 2008) – Award-winning country music singer Jason Aldean will debut the title track off his Gold-certified sophomore album RELENTLESS for radio and television audiences next week, highlighted by a performance of the new release on the “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” on Thursday, April 17.
Coming off the heels of yet another Top 5 single, “Relentless” is one of the most meaningful album tracks to the music industry underdog, who survived two bad label deals only to triumph on Nashville’s premiere indy label Broken Bow Records.
“We named the second album ‘Relentless’ in honor of this song and all the hard work we’ve done to finally have some success,” said Aldean. “We have five hits under our belt now, but this is the song that the fans have been crazy for since we put the album out, so we are making it a single in honor of everyone who comes to our shows and sings it back to us.”
Aldean will also make appearances on GAC’s Opry Live this Saturday, the 2008 CMT Music Awards on Monday, April 14 and Los Angeles’ No. one rated morning show, KTLA Morning News, next Wednesday, April 16, where he will perform both “Johnny Cash” and “Relentless.”
Aldean has been consistently selling out his RELENTLESS ’08 tour dates in theatres and small arenas across the country since it rolled out in January. He has been handpicked by Tim McGraw to open the “Live Your Voice” tour, starting May 9 in Tampa, FL and continuing on to 30 major markets through the summer.