Editing Alabama (band) (section)

==History==

===1969–1979: Formation and early years===
[[Image:FortPayneAir.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Alabama formed in [[Fort Payne, Alabama]] (seen here in 1999).]]
Alabama was formed by guitarists Randy Owen and Jeff Cook, and bassist Teddy Gentry, three cousins born and raised near Fort Payne, Alabama, an area with strong country music roots.{{sfn|Stambler|Landon|2000|p=5}} Owen and Gentry grew up on separate [[cotton]] farms on [[Lookout Mountain]] (a plateau that stretches across northeastern Alabama, through northwest Georgia and into Tennessee), learning guitar together and singing in church before the age of six.{{sfn|Erlewine|Woodstra|Bogdanov|Erlewine|1997|p=4}} Gentry and Owen played in numerous groups during the 1960s, ranging from [[pop music|pop]] to [[bluegrass music|bluegrass]].{{sfn|Erlewine|Woodstra|Bogdanov|Erlewine|1997|p=4}} Cook joined the band in 1969 forming the group Young Country, which first jammed together around Christmas.{{sfn|Stambler|Landon|2000|p=5}} Cook also played in numerous other bands and was a [[rock and roll]] [[disc jockey]].{{sfn|Erlewine|Woodstra|Bogdanov|Erlewine|1997|p=4}} The three cousins all shared vocal duties, with another cousin, drummer Jackie Owen, completing the group's first lineup.{{sfn|Stambler|Landon|2000|p=5}} The band's first performance was at a high school talent contest (playing a [[Merle Haggard]] song), for which they won first prize and tickets to the [[Grand Ole Opry]].<ref name="usatoday"/>{{sfn|Erlewine|Woodstra|Bogdanov|Erlewine|1997|p=4}} Despite this, all were too busy with prior commitments to pursue music: Owen still in high school, Cook working for [[Western Electric]], and Gentry laying carpets full-time.{{sfn|Stambler|Landon|2000|p=5}} The band grew further inactive when Cook and Owen went to college.{{sfn|Erlewine|Woodstra|Bogdanov|Erlewine|1997|p=4}}

The group became a professional band in 1972, adding drummer Bennett Vartanian and changing their name to Wildcountry.{{sfn|Erlewine|Woodstra|Bogdanov|Erlewine|1997|p=4}} During this time, the group accepted a position playing at the now-defunct Canyon Land theme park near Fort Payne.{{sfn|McCall|Rumble|Kingsbury|2012|p=5}}{{sfn|Stambler|Landon|2000|p=5}} The park would bring in established stars, such as [[Jerry Wallace]], [[Bobby Bare]], and [[Narvel Felts]], and the band would back them, afterwards performing a one-hour dance set.{{sfn|Stambler|Landon|2000|p=5}} After a while, with opportunities for the band slow to materialize, a discouraged Cook took a government job in [[Anniston, Alabama]]. Owen was studying English at [[Jacksonville State University]], and Cook had an electronics job.<ref name=billboard>{{cite magazine| last =Flippo| first =Chip| date =August 29, 1998| title =Alabama: The ''Billboard'' Interview| magazine =[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]| volume =110| issue = 35| publisher =[[Prometheus Global Media]]| location =[[New York City]]| issn =0006-2510}}</ref> The trio shared a $56-a-month apartment in Anniston,<ref name="billboard"/> and worked to keep the band afloat with night and weekend gigs.{{sfn|Stambler|Landon|2000|p=5}} The group decided to become professional musicians in 1973, and began performing at bars throughout the [[Southeast United States|Southeast]].{{sfn|Erlewine|Woodstra|Bogdanov|Erlewine|1997|p=4}} In March, the band relocated to [[Myrtle Beach, South Carolina]], performing six nights a week at a club named The Bowery for tips.{{sfn|McCall|Rumble|Kingsbury|2012|p=5}}<ref name="tenn"/> They made their best money performing [[cover (music)|cover]] songs of [[Lynyrd Skynyrd]] and Merle Haggard.<ref name="usatoday"/> The group could not secure a record contract and began to self-finance recordings.<ref name="billboard"/> The group borrowed $4,000 from a Fort Payne bank to record and release their own albums to sell at shows.{{sfn|Erlewine|Woodstra|Bogdanov|Erlewine|1997|p=4}} Vartanian dropped out of the group, and following a rotation of four more drummers, they settled on Rick Scott in 1974.{{sfn|Erlewine|Woodstra|Bogdanov|Erlewine|1997|p=4}}

The group sent out demo tapes to record companies but received few responses until executives at [[GRT Records]] signed the band to a one-record contract,{{sfn|Erlewine|Woodstra|Bogdanov|Erlewine|1997|p=4}} issuing their debut single, "I Wanna Be with You Tonight", in 1977.{{sfn|Stambler|Landon|2000|p=5}} GRT was more interested in the band as songwriters, and convinced the group to change their name to The Alabama Band, later shortened to just Alabama.<ref name="billboard1"/>{{sfn|McCall|Rumble|Kingsbury|2012|p=5}} The song only reached number 78 on the ''Billboard'' [[Hot Country Songs]] charts,<ref name="whitburn">{{cite book|last=Whitburn|first=Joel|title=Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008|publisher=Record Research, Inc|date=2008|pages=19–20|isbn=978-0-89820-177-2}}</ref> and GRT declared bankruptcy the following year. Due to a hidden clause in their contract, Alabama was forbidden from recording with another label.{{sfn|Erlewine|Woodstra|Bogdanov|Erlewine|1997|p=4}} For the next two years, the band raised money to buy out their contract and they began recording again in 1979.{{sfn|Erlewine|Woodstra|Bogdanov|Erlewine|1997|p=4}} Following self-recorded efforts ''Wildcountry'' (1976) and ''Deuces Wild'' (1977), ''Alabama Band No. 3'' (1979) became the band's third album, and the band performed over 300 shows on the road that year.{{sfn|Erlewine|Woodstra|Bogdanov|Erlewine|1997|p=4}} The group hired independent radio promoters to receive radio play for the single "[[I Wanna Come Over]]", and they sent hand-written letters to program directors and DJs nationwide.{{sfn|Erlewine|Woodstra|Bogdanov|Erlewine|1997|p=4}} It received the attention of [[Dallas]]-based MDJ Records, who signed the band.{{sfn|Stambler|Landon|2000|p=5}} Scott left the group at this time, and was replaced by Mark Herndon, a rock drummer later credited with bringing the band their signature sound.{{sfn|Erlewine|Woodstra|Bogdanov|Erlewine|1997|p=4}} "I Wanna Come Over", became their first radio hit, reaching the top 40 in the ''Billboard'' country chart.<ref name="billboard3"/>

===1980–1987: Mainstream success and superstardom===
{{Quote box
 |quote  = When it happened, it happened so fast we didn't have time to think&nbsp;... One day we were in [[Myrtle Beach]], and a few days later we were on [[Dick Clark]]'s ''[[American Bandstand]]''. We were scared to death. It was amazing. The next thing you know, you are Group of the Year on nationwide TV.
 |source = Randy Owen on the group's surprise success<ref name="billboard1"/>
 |quoted = 1
 |width  = 25%
 |align  = right
}}
The group's next single, "[[My Home's in Alabama (song)|My Home's in Alabama]]", received an even better response, reaching the top 20.<ref name="billboard3"/> Their early chart successes led to an invitation to appear at the "New Faces" show at [[Nashville]]'s annual [[Country Radio Seminar]], along with other new acts, such as [[Reba McEntire]].<ref name="tenn"/> The band had to perform with [[studio musicians]], rather than as a band, and left the session believing they had destroyed their chances. Despite this, the group drew interest from several labels, among those RCA Records,<ref name=billboard1>{{cite magazine| last =Price| first =Deborah Evans| date =August 29, 1998| title =Can't Keep a Good Band Down| magazine =[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]| volume =110| issue = 35| pages =46–48 | publisher =[[Prometheus Global Media]]| location =[[New York City]]| issn =0006-2510}}</ref> with whom they signed in April 1980.{{sfn|McCall|Rumble|Kingsbury|2012|p=5}} Their first single on RCA, "[[Tennessee River (song)|Tennessee River]]", was produced by [[Harold Shedd]] and was their first to hit number one on the ''Billboard'' country chart, beginning a streak of over 30 number one hits.{{sfn|Erlewine|Woodstra|Bogdanov|Erlewine|1997|p=4}} ''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cashbox]]'' named the band the New Vocal Group of the Year, marking the band's first award.{{sfn|Stambler|Landon|2000|p=5}} In July 1980, the band left their long-time gig at the Bowery,<ref name="billboard1"/> promoting their single which they initially believed to be fluke.<ref name="tenn"/> The success took the band by surprise and soon became "all but consuming."<ref name="billboard1"/>

Alabama enjoyed a great deal of creative freedom at RCA; they followed up "Tennessee River" with "[[Why Lady Why (Alabama song)|Why Lady Why]]" despite the objections of executives and trade publications,<ref name="billboard2"/> The song became their second number one on the charts.<ref name="billboard3"/> They toured extensively, headlining small clubs and opening for bigger acts in major venues.{{sfn|Stambler|Landon|2000|p=5}} In addition, the group also received television exposure on ''[[The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson]]'' and ''[[The Merv Griffin Show]]''.{{sfn|Stambler|Landon|2000|p=5}} In February 1981, Alabama released its second major label album, ''[[Feels So Right]]''; it peaked at number 16 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and stayed for more than three years, longer than any other Alabama album.<ref>Whitburn, Joel. ''The Billboard Book of Top Pop Albums 1955–1985'', Record Research Inc., 1985, p. 11, 493.</ref> "[[Old Flame (Alabama song)|Old Flame]]" was their next number one in February 1981, followed by "[[Feels So Right (song)|Feels So Right]]" in May, and "[[Love in the First Degree (Alabama song)|Love in the First Degree]]" that October.<ref name="billboard3"/><ref name="chart">{{cite book |last=Roland |first=Tom |title=The Billboard Book of Number One Country Hits |publisher=Billboard Books, Watson-Guptill Publications |date=1991 |location=New York |isbn=0-8230-7553-2 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/billboardbookofn0000rola }}</ref> That year, Alabama received a great deal of industry attention: ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' named them New Group for the Year, ''[[Radio & Records]]'' called them Group of the Year, and the [[Academy of Country Music]] (ACM) deemed the band the Vocal Group of the Year.{{sfn|Stambler|Landon|2000|p=5}} The quartet performed on the 1981 [[Country Music Association Awards]], where it received both Instrumental Group of the Year and Vocal Group of the Year.{{sfn|Stambler|Landon|2000|p=5}} Although the band received unprecedented success, Owen's personal life was falling apart: his father died while he was on the road, affecting him greatly.<ref name="tenn"/>
{{Listen
 |filename     = Love in the First Degree Alabama.ogg
 |title        = "Love in the First Degree"
 |description  = "[[Love in the First Degree (Alabama song)|Love in the First Degree]]" became Alabama's biggest [[crossover (music)|crossover]] hit, peaking at number 15 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref name="chart2"/>
}}
''[[Mountain Music (Alabama album)|Mountain Music]]'', released in February 1982, is considered their final release before a significant upgrade in production and sound.<ref name="wolff"/> All three of the album's singles reached number one: "[[Mountain Music (song)|Mountain Music]]" in May 1982, followed two months later by "[[Take Me Down]]" that July, and "[[Close Enough to Perfect]]" in October.<ref name="billboard3"/> That year, both ''Mountain Music'' and ''Feels So Right'' would go quadruple platinum; by late 1982, the band had sold over six million albums, despite just two years on the national circuit.<ref name=billboard3>{{cite magazine| last =Allen| first =Sharon| date =October 30, 1982| title =Chart Fax: Alabama Does It Again: 'Close Enough' Hits Top| magazine =[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]| volume =94| issue = 43| page =43 | publisher =[[Prometheus Global Media]]| location =[[New York City]]| issn =0006-2510}}</ref> "[[Christmas in Dixie]]", a seasonal song released in 1982, charted on two of [[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'' magazine]]'s music popularity charts in six different calendar years.<ref name="Whitburn">{{cite book |last=Whitburn |first=Joel |title=Christmas in the Charts (1920–2004) |publisher=Record Research Inc |date=2004 |location=Wisconsin  |page=17 |isbn = 0-89820-161-6}}</ref> Alabama became the first group to win CMA's prestigious Entertainer of the Year award, which they collected three years in a row, from 1982 to 1984.<ref name="wolff"/> The group received a [[Grammy Award]] for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, for ''Mountain Music''.{{sfn|Stambler|Landon|2000|p=5}}

''[[The Closer You Get...]]'', released in March 1983, was certified platinum within two months, and also won the Grammy for Best Country Performance.<ref name="alabamaRIAA">{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?content_selector=gold-platinum-searchable-database# |title=Alabama – Gold & Platinum Certifications |publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of America]] |access-date=July 6, 2014 |at=''If necessary, click ''Advanced'', then click ''Format'', then select ''Album'', then click ''SEARCH |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905082250/http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?content_selector=gold-platinum-searchable-database |archive-date=September 5, 2013 }}</ref>{{sfn|Stambler|Landon|2000|p=5}} Each of the album's singles—"[[Dixieland Delight]]", "[[The Closer You Get (song)|The Closer You Get]]", and "[[Lady Down on Love]]"—were number ones in both the U.S. and Canada.<ref name="chart"/> ''[[Roll On (Alabama album)|Roll On]]'' was Alabama's next LP, and its four singles,  "[[Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler)]]", "[[When We Make Love (Alabama song)|When We Make Love]]", "[[If You're Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band)]]", "[[(There's A) Fire in the Night]]", all went to the top in both countries.<ref name="chart"/> ''[[40-Hour Week]]'' (1985) continued the band's string of multinational successes, with "[[40 Hour Week (For a Livin')]]" and "[[Can't Keep a Good Man Down (Alabama song)|Can't Keep a Good Man Down]]" peaking at number one in both territories, with only the [[lead single]], "[[There's No Way (Alabama song)|There's No Way]]", falling short in Canada (although it peaked at number two).<ref name="chart"/> ''40-Hour Week'' was one of Alabama's most popular albums, crossing over in the pop album charts.{{sfn|Erlewine|Woodstra|Bogdanov|Erlewine|1997|p=6}} ''[[Alabama Christmas]]'', a collection of nine holiday songs plus "Christmas in Dixie", became Alabama's first release on [[compact disc]] that September; it was also the centerpiece of a retail and television promotion (sponsored by [[the Nashville Network]]).<ref name=billboard4>{{cite magazine| date =October 12, 1985| title ='Alabama Christmas' Album Getting Very Merry Push| magazine =[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]| volume =94| issue = 43| page =61; 64 | publisher =[[Prometheus Global Media]]| location =[[New York City]]| issn =0006-2510}}</ref>

RCA issued an Alabama ''Greatest Hits'' compilation in January 1986, which went over five times platinum,<ref name="alabamaRIAA"/> making the band the most successful country act of the 1980s.{{sfn|Erlewine|Woodstra|Bogdanov|Erlewine|1997|p=4}} ''[[The Touch (album)|The Touch]]'' followed in September 1986, and although considered one of the weakest in the band's catalogue,{{sfn|Erlewine|Woodstra|Bogdanov|Erlewine|1997|p=4}} it did have two number one hits: "[["You've Got" the Touch]]" and "[[Touch Me When We're Dancing]]".<ref name="chart3"/> Their next record, ''[[Just Us (Alabama album)|Just Us]]'', received a similar critical response, but produced two number ones: "[[Face to Face (Alabama song)|Face to Face]]" and "[[Fallin' Again]]".<ref name="chart3"/>   They also contributed their vocals to "[[Deep River Woman]]", a single by [[Lionel Richie]], from Richie's third solo album ''[[Dancing on the Ceiling]]''.  Released in December 1986, the single peaked at number 10 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Hot Country Songs|Hot Country Singles]] chart and number 71 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|Hot 100]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Richie singles |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=lionel-richie-p5267/charts-awards/billboard-singles|pure_url=yes}} |work=[[Allmusic]] |access-date=November 27, 2011}}</ref>

===1987–2004: Decline in popularity and Farewell tour===
By the late 1980s, Alabama's sales slowed down considerably, with only their major albums going gold.{{sfn|Stambler|Landon|2000|p=6}} The group's popularity was mostly eclipsed by more traditional-sounding artists such as [[Alan Jackson]], [[Randy Travis]], [[George Strait]], and [[Dwight Yoakam]].<ref name=creating>Peterson, Richard A. (1997). ''Creating Country Music: Fabricating Authenticity''. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 320 pp. First edition, 1997.</ref> Despite this, they continued to be a popular touring act, and the band issued their first live album, ''[[Alabama Live]]'', in 1988.{{sfn|Stambler|Landon|2000|p=6}} For 1989's ''[[Southern Star (Alabama album)|Southern Star]]'', the band decided to part ways with longtime producer Shedd, instead splitting production duties between [[Josh Leo]] and Larry Lee, and the other half with [[Barry Beckett]].{{sfn|Erlewine|Woodstra|Bogdanov|Erlewine|1997|p=4}} "[[Song of the South (song)|Song of the South]]" was another number one, and the album's remaining singles—"[[If I Had You (Alabama song)|If I Had You]]", "[[High Cotton (song)|High Cotton]]", and "[[Southern Star (song)|Southern Star]]"—were number ones in both the U.S. and Canada.<ref name="chart"/> That year, Alabama was named by ''Billboard'' the Country Artist of the 1980s and the ACA voted the band the Artist of the Decade.{{sfn|Stambler|Landon|2000|p=6}}

Although their popularity continued to decline during the 1990s, their studio albums still achieved gold and platinum status.{{sfn|Erlewine|Woodstra|Bogdanov|Erlewine|1997|p=4}}{{sfn|Stambler|Landon|2000|p=6}} The 1990 album ''[[Pass It On Down (Alabama album)|Pass It on Down]]'' featured three number one singles: "[[Jukebox in My Mind]]", "[[Forever's as Far as I'll Go]]", and "[[Down Home (Alabama song)|Down Home]]".<ref name="chart3"/> According to [[AllMusic]], by the time the band released 1992's ''[[American Pride (album)|American Pride]]'', "they were among the genre's aging veterans."{{sfn|Erlewine|Woodstra|Bogdanov|Erlewine|1997|p=5}} Richard Carlin of ''Country Music: A Biographical Dictionary'', suggested that the group's harmonies sounded dated to the new audience.<ref name="BiographicalDictionary"/> "[[I'm in a Hurry (And Don't Know Why)]]" became the album's biggest hit, reaching number one; the album's other singles still fared very well, with "[[Take a Little Trip]]", "[[Once Upon a Lifetime]]", and "[[Hometown Honeymoon]]" peaking within the top three.<ref name="chart3"/><ref name=chart1>{{cite magazine| url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1993/hot-country-songs| title=Best of 1993: Country Songs| magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]| publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]]| access-date=August 5, 2013| url-status=live| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071211063508/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/yearend_chart_display.jsp?f=Hot+Country+Songs&g=Year-end+Singles&year=1993| archive-date=December 11, 2007}}</ref> ''[[Cheap Seats (album)|Cheap Seats]]'' followed in 1993, with "[[Reckless (Alabama song)|Reckless]]" becoming Alabama's final number one, although most of the band's singles afterward peaked within the top 10.<ref name="chart3"/><ref name="chart1"/> The band's 1995 album, ''[[In Pictures]]'', represented their 18th gold album, more than the total for any other country act to that point.{{sfn|Stambler|Landon|2000|p=7}} In 1996, the group remained finalists in the Vocal Group of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards.{{sfn|Stambler| Landon|2000|p=7}} The band released ''[[Dancin' on the Boulevard]]'' in 1997, exploring [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]] and [[beach music]].{{sfn|Kingsbury|2004|p=8}} Singles "[[Sad Lookin' Moon]]" and "[[Dancin', Shaggin' on the Boulevard]]" were top five hits in the U.S. and Canada.<ref name="chart1"/> The following year, the group released ''[[For the Record (Alabama album)|For the Record]]'', a two-disc greatest hits compilation that contained two new singles — "How Do You Fall in Love" and "Keepin' Up". Both new tracks were hits on the [[Hot Country Songs|Hot Country Singles & Tracks]] chart, peaking at number two and 14, respectively.<ref name="chart3"/>

For their 15th studio release, ''[[Twentieth Century (Alabama album)|Twentieth Century]]'' (1999), the band recorded a cover of "[[(God Must Have Spent) A Little More Time on You]]" by the [[boy band]] [[NSYNC]] in 1999, in a move that was considered an attempt to "stay relevant."<ref name="BiographicalDictionary"/> The single nonetheless hit number one in Canada, number three on the US country charts, and number 29 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref name=chart2>{{cite magazine| url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/278296/Alabama/chart?f=379| title=Alabama – Chart history – ''Billboard'' Hot 100| magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]| publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]]| access-date=August 5, 2013| url-status=live| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703223720/http://www.billboard.com/artist/278296/Alabama/chart?f=379| archive-date=July 3, 2015}}</ref><ref name="chart1"/> ''[[When It All Goes South]]'' (2001) followed in 2001. "If I never did another CD, this is the one I will always point to as the one that I was happy with the most," said Owen at the time of its release.<ref name=billboard6>{{cite magazine| last =Price| first =Deborah Evans| date =December 9, 2000| title =Alabama's Latest, 'When It All Goes South', Due Jan. 2001 on RCA| magazine =[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]| volume =112| issue =50| page =65 | publisher =[[Prometheus Global Media]]| location =[[New York City]]| issn =0006-2510| url =https://books.google.com/books?id=rRAEAAAAMBAJ&q=alabama+billboard&pg=PA65}}</ref> Despite this, the album's singles did not fare well in comparison to past successes, with only the title track becoming a top 15 hit, representing the band's last career peak.<ref name=chart3>{{cite magazine| url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/278296/Alabama/chart?f=357| title=Alabama – Chart history – Hot Country Songs| magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]| publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]]| access-date=August 5, 2013| url-status=live| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709001744/http://www.billboard.com/artist/278296/Alabama/chart?f=357| archive-date=July 9, 2015}}</ref>

Alabama announced the American Farewell tour in May 2002 at the [[Country Music Association Awards]] (CMAs), encompassing 40 tour dates, sponsorships, special events, and a TV special. Owen spoke then on the decision to part ways: "When you get down to it, there are many, many factors involved — some of them very personal. It's really about the integrity of the group, the dignity of the group."<ref name=billboard5>{{cite magazine| last =Waddell| first =Ray| date =June 8, 2002| title =Venue Views: Goodbye Alabama| magazine =[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]| volume =114| issue = 23| page =20 | publisher =[[Prometheus Global Media]]| location =[[New York City]]| issn =0006-2510| url =https://books.google.com/books?id=-hAEAAAAMBAJ&q=alabama+billboard&pg=PA20 }}</ref> Owen later admitted the group was exhausted after 20 years of nonstop touring and recording, and "everybody needed some time."<ref name=tenn>{{cite journal| last =Watts| first =Cindy| date =August 23, 2013| title =Alabama is back, and it feels so right| journal =[[The Tennessean]]| url =http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2013/08/23/alabama-is-back-and-it-feels-so-right/| access-date =July 6, 2014| url-status =dead| archive-url =https://archive.today/20140709091859/http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2013/08/23/alabama-is-back-and-it-feels-so-right/| archive-date =July 9, 2014}}</ref> The tour collected $15&nbsp;million in box office before it even began, and Alabama performed to packed arenas from June to November 2003.<ref name=billboard7>{{cite magazine| last =Waddell| first =Ray| date =July 19, 2003| title =Alabama Tour Fares Well| magazine =[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]| volume =115| issue = 29| page =16 | publisher =[[Prometheus Global Media]]| location =[[New York City]]| issn =0006-2510| url =https://books.google.com/books?id=WhEEAAAAMBAJ&q=alabama+billboard&pg=PA16 }}</ref>{{sfn|McCall|Rumble|Kingsbury|2012|p=7}} Due to "extraordinary fan response and overwhelming ticket demand," the tour was extended for an additional 30 shows, running between February and June 2004.<ref name=cw>{{cite journal| last =Holden| first =Larry| date =December 16, 2003| title =On the Road Again| journal =[[Country Weekly]]| url =http://www.countryweekly.com/vault/road-again| url-status =live| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20140714202409/http://www.countryweekly.com/vault/road-again| archive-date =July 14, 2014}}</ref> The group performed their "final" show in October 2004 in [[Bismarck, North Dakota]], with Herndon jokingly declaring "I need a job" as the concert closed.<ref name=cw1>{{cite journal| date =October 20, 2004| title =Farewell, Alabama&nbsp;... For Now| journal =[[Country Weekly]]| url =http://www.countryweekly.com/news/farewell-alabamafor-now| url-status =live| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20140714205357/http://www.countryweekly.com/news/farewell-alabamafor-now| archive-date =July 14, 2014}}</ref>

===2004–2014: Reunions and lawsuit against Mark Herndon===
In the ensuing years, Owen stayed active as a solo act, Cook with his Allstar Goodtime Band and Gentry as a producer and with his band Rockit City.<ref name=usatoday>{{cite journal| last =Mansfield| first =Brian| date =April 5, 2013| title =On the Road Again: Alabama celebrates 40 years| journal =[[USA Today]]| url =https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/04/05/alabama-40th-anniversary-tour-on-the-road-again/2056529/| url-status =live| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20161002004325/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/04/05/alabama-40th-anniversary-tour-on-the-road-again/2056529/| archive-date =October 2, 2016}}</ref> Herndon and the other group members had a difficult relationship during the band's career.<ref name=tenn1>{{cite journal| last =Watts| first =Cindy| date =August 23, 2013| title =Alabama's Randy Owen says drummer Mark Herndon wasn't invited to reunion| journal =[[The Tennessean]]| url =http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2013/08/23/alabamas-randy-owen-says-drummer-mark-herndon-wasnt-invited-to-reunion/| access-date =July 6, 2014| url-status =dead| archive-url =https://archive.today/20140709091904/http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2013/08/23/alabamas-randy-owen-says-drummer-mark-herndon-wasnt-invited-to-reunion/| archive-date =July 9, 2014}}</ref> While he was present in each press photo and a photo of him once hung at Alabama's fan club and museum, Owen contended that he was never an official member of the group. He claimed his inclusion in photos was the label's idea, and that Herndon was a paid employee of the band, rather than a member.<ref name="tenn1"/> In May 2008, the other members of the group sued Herndon for $202,670 in money allegedly overpaid to him three years earlier after the band's farewell tour concluded.<ref name="herndon"/> This money was factored into the net profit and given to Herndon before accounting was completed, an allegation Herndon has denied. The band did not sue Herndon until he requested money from the multiple live albums and songs that the band had released but never paid Herndon for playing on.<ref name=herndon>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2008-06-07-alabama-sues-drummer_N.htm|title=Country group Alabama sues drummer for $200K|date=June 7, 2008|work=[[USA Today]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111210020316/http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2008-06-07-alabama-sues-drummer_N.htm|archive-date=December 10, 2011}}</ref> Owen stated that RCA desired Herndon in the band so their image could be comparable to [[the Beatles]].<ref name="tenn"/> Despite their troubles, he stated they had no hard feelings in an interview years later: "I don't have one thing against him in any way in the world."<ref name="tenn"/>

Owen was diagnosed with [[prostate cancer]] in 2010, but he was later given a clean bill of health, which led to the band's reunion, without Herndon.<ref name="tenn"/> Following [[2011 Super Outbreak|a series of tornadoes]] destroying homes and businesses throughout their state in 2011, Alabama assembled a benefit concert in [[Birmingham, Alabama|Birmingham]], called Bama Rising.<ref name="tenn"/> Featuring the band's first set since 2004, alongside [[Luke Bryan]], [[Sheryl Crow]] and [[Brad Paisley]], the concert raised $2.1&nbsp;million. "I guess we realized that maybe we missed the playing&nbsp;... and five or six years had gone by and we were like, 'Maybe that wasn't as bad as we remember it being,'" said Gentry.<ref name="tenn"/> In celebration of the group's 40th anniversary, Alabama resumed touring in 2013 for the Back to the Bowery tour, referencing the Myrtle Beach club where they first became professional musicians.<ref name="usatoday"/> They also undertook a short cruise, The Alabama & Friends Festival at Sea, which left for the [[Bahamas]] on Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Pearl ship.<ref name=reuters>{{cite news| last =Hackett| first =Vernell| date =April 5, 2013| title =Country band Alabama back on road, 10 years after saying goodbye| work =[[Reuters]]| url =https://www.reuters.com/article/entertainment-us-alabama-idUSBRE9340UN20130405| access-date =July 6, 2014| url-status =live| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20140714125325/http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/05/entertainment-us-alabama-idUSBRE9340UN20130405| archive-date =July 14, 2014}}</ref> In addition, the band released ''[[Alabama & Friends]]'', a [[tribute album]] encompassing covers from newer artists such as [[Jason Aldean]] and [[Florida Georgia Line]], in addition to two new tracks by Alabama.<ref name="tenn"/>

===2015–present: New music and death of Jeff Cook===
The band released their first new studio album in 14 years, ''[[Southern Drawl (album)|Southern Drawl]]'', on September 18, 2015, via BMG Chrysalis.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theboot.com/alabama-southern-drawl/|title=Alabama Announce 'Southern Drawl,' First Album of New Songs in 14 Years|work=The Boot|date=July 28, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150731002949/http://theboot.com/alabama-southern-drawl/|archive-date=July 31, 2015}}</ref> In 2016, Alabama was selected as one of 30 artists to perform on "''Forever Country''", a mash-up track of "[[Take Me Home, Country Roads]]", "[[On the Road Again (Willie Nelson song)|On the Road Again]]", and "[[I Will Always Love You]]" that celebrates 50 years of the [[CMA Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/scenes-cmas-historic-music-video-featuring-30-country/story?id=42129062|title=30 Country Music Stars Join Forces for Historic CMA Music Video|date=22 September 2016|website=ABC News|access-date=28 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730231526/http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/scenes-cmas-historic-music-video-featuring-30-country/story?id=42129062|archive-date=30 July 2017}}</ref>

In April 2017, guitarist Jeff Cook announced in a video that he would reduce the number of shows for which he would be in attendance while the band was on tour, due to his struggle with [[Parkinson's disease|Parkinson's]]. He had been diagnosed four years prior, and this was his first public announcement about his condition.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://ew.com/music/2017/04/11/alabama-jeff-cook-parkinsons-diagnosis/|title=Alabama's Jeff Cook Announces Parkinson's Diagnosis|date=2017-04-11|work=EW.com|access-date=2017-04-11|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170411220141/http://ew.com/music/2017/04/11/alabama-jeff-cook-parkinsons-diagnosis/|archive-date=2017-04-11}}</ref>

In August 2021, the band sold its interest in its recorded music rights catalog to Reservoir Media.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Peoples|first=Glenn|title=Alabama Sells Recorded Music Catalog to Reservoir Media|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/publishing/9621954/alabama-reservoir-media-recorded-music-catalog/|date=August 30, 2021|access-date=August 30, 2021|magazine=Billboard}}</ref> Cook died from complications of [[Parkinson's disease]] on November 7, 2022.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2022/11/08/jeff-cook-alabama-2022-band-co-founding-member-dies/69611215007/ | title=Jeff Cook, co-founding member of country band Alabama, dies at 73 | work=[[The Tennessean]] | date=November 8, 2022 | accessdate=November 8, 2022 | author=Matthew Leimkuehler}}</ref>