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Color-changing Text --- December 31st: On this day 1933 Born on this day was Fred Carter Jr. an American guitarist, singer, producer and composer. He was part of Nashville's 'A Team' and played with Kenny Rogers, Joan Baez, Simon & Garfunkel, Slim Whitman, Floyd Cramer, Sonny James, Hank Snow, Faron Young, Johnny Horton and Jim Reeves. He died on July 17, 2010 age 76. 1938 Born on this day was American country music and gospel singer Marilyn Sellars who had several hits during the mid-1970s most notably the original version of "One Day at a Time" in 1974. 1943 Born on this day in Roswell, New Mexico, was John Denver (Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr.), singer, songwriter, activist, and humanitarian. Denver recorded and released over 300 songs, earning him 12 gold and 4 platinum albums with his signature songs "Sunshine on My Shoulders", "Take Me Home, Country Roads", "Leaving on a Jet Plane", "Rocky Mountain High", "Annie's Song" and "Calypso". Denver was killed on October 12, 1997 at the age of 53 when his experimental Rutan Long-EZ plane, crashed into the Pacific Ocean near Pacific Grove, California. 1952 Hank Williams was scheduled to perform at the Municipal Auditorium in Charleston, West Virginia but due to an ice storm in the Nashville area, Williams could not fly, so he hired Charles Carr, to drive him to the concert. When they arrived at the Andrew Johnson Hotel in Knoxville, Tennessee, Williams complained of feeling unwell and saw a doctor. Carr and Williams checked out of the hotel, and at around midnight in Bristol, Virginia, Carr stopped at a small all-night restaurant and asked Williams if he wanted to eat. Williams said he did not, and those are believed to be his last words. Carr later stopped for fuel at a gas station in Oak Hill, West Virginia, where he realized that Williams was dead. 1954 Born on this day in Aylmer, Quebec, was Charlie Major Canadian country music artist. He was blinded in one eye as a result of a pellet gun accident when he was 12. Through the 1990s, he won the Juno Award as Country Male Vocalist of the Year for two years in a row. 1968 Billboard magazine reports that this year, for the first time, US total music sales have topped one billion dollars. Glenn Campbell scored six #1 albums in 1968. His total of 19 weeks at #1 was the most by any artist, more than twice that achieved by any other act. 1977 Dolly Parton's "Here You Come Again" spent its fifth week at #1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. It would be the last song to spend that long atop the chart until 1990's "Love Without End, Amen" by George Strait. 1995 The Great American Country TV channel was launched with Garth Brooks' video "The Thunder Rolls" as the first video. 1997 American pianist Floyd Cramer died age 64. He became famous for his use of melodic "whole-step" attacks. He was one of the busiest studio musicians in the industry, playing piano for stars such as Elvis Presley, Brenda Lee, Patsy Cline, the Browns, Jim Reeves, Eddy Arnold, Roy Orbison, Don Gibson, and the Everly Brothers, among others. It was Cramer's piano playing, for instance, on Presley's first RCA Victor single, "Heartbreak Hotel". In 1961, Cramer had a hit with "On the Rebound", which went to #4 on the Billboard chart. 2002 Shania Twain was at #1 on the US Country chart with her fourth studio album Up! The album debuted at #1 on both the Top Country Albums chart and the Billboard 200, after selling 874,000 copies in its first full week of release, it then stayed in the Top 100 of the Billboard chart for more than 60 weeks. 2017 Luke Bryan was at #1 on the Country Charts with What Makes You Country his sixth studio album. The album includes the singles "Light It Up", "Most People Are Good", "Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset". and the title track.
Southern Star: The Randy Owen Story, Part 1 : Introduction
Published on 12/26/2024 07:41
Entertainment

SOUTHERN STAR: The Randy Owen Story

Part 1 : Introduction 

 

In 1977, a band made a pivotal decision to rebrand themselves as "Alabama." The new name was more than a change of letters; it was a declaration of their deep connection to their home state and set the stage for the incredible journey that lay ahead. With a fresh name and a renewed sense of purpose, this trio hit the road, determined to make their dreams a reality.

As they embarked on this new chapter, little did they know that their small-town beginnings would be the foundation for a legendary career that would touch the hearts of millions. They played every venue they could find, from dusty barrooms to bustling fairs, honing their craft and building a loyal following. Each performance was a stepping stone, and every fan they gained was a testament to their growing influence.

Despite the long hours and grueling travel, Randy Owen never lost his enthusiasm. He cherished every moment on stage, feeding off the energy of the crowd and the camaraderie of his bandmates. They shared laughter, challenges, and triumphs, forging a bond that would last a lifetime. The road was often tough, but their passion for music and their love for each other kept them going.

Through it all, Randy remained humble and true to his roots. He never forgot the values his parents had instilled in him and the community that had supported him. His success was a testament to hard work, determination, and a love for the music that had been his constant companion since childhood. The band's journey was marked by countless stories and memories, each one a building block of their legacy.

The band’s early days were filled with stories that would become legends in their own right. Like the time they played at a local fair and the sound system shorted out, leaving them to perform an unplugged set. Randy’s voice carried over the crowd, proving that talent could outshine technical difficulties any day. Or the night they played a small-town bar, and despite a storm knocking out the power, they kept the crowd entertained with acoustic guitars and heartfelt vocals.

Alabama’s journey was just beginning, and as they looked toward the future, they carried with them the lessons and love of their small-town beginnings. Little did they know, those early days would shape them into the country music icons they would become. Their story is one of perseverance, faith, and an unwavering commitment to their music and their fans.

With each passing year, Alabama’s music reached further and touched more lives, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of those who listened. As the trio continued their journey, they always remembered where they came from and the simple joys that first drew them to music. It was this authenticity and genuine love for their craft that made Alabama a beloved name in country music history.  

( ...to be Continued...)

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