Dear Megan.

I want to speak from the heart because I have admired your talent for a long time and I respect you because of your  connection to Randy and the Alabama family and because of that affiliation, I follow you. And it surprised me when I saw your post soliciting money on Facebook. That’s why it’s hard to say:

Many of Alabama’s fans — the people who have cheered Alabama on for decades — are salt‑of‑the‑earth people who have worked hard all their lives. Many of them live on fixed incomes—like myself , and we have already poured so much of themselves into Alabama’s music, and careers for decades. Many  of us find it difficult to pay for concert and event tickets. That’s why it doesn’t sit right with me to see your post given your  affiliation with Randy and Alabama.

Megan,  it may not have been your intention to use that relationship but it appears it is being leveraged in a way that feels like it’s asking those same fans to foot another financial bill. Without Randy and Teddy, I cannot imagine many of them would've known you; I knew I did not.

I've written you before, commented on your Facebook page and tried to be involved supporting you on Facebook when you were unfairly placed in competition with Jeff Cook, and it seems almost invariably that you are only responding to people who have something to share as a reward.  All I have is fan loyalty. To  do anything that makes it appear as if you think you’re better than your fans is sad. That’s not the spirit  Randy, Jeff, and Teddy  modeled for us, and that’s not the kind of example his own children lived; they worked hard, paid their way, and didn’t ask fans for anything—in either a private or public social media forum,

I know every parent knows you love your daughter, and I would like to be updated as she grows up.  But when our own  grandchildren require financial support for extracurricular activities, do you think we spread it out to strangers who’ve seen us at work ; (all we know about you is your work on the stage—and it usually comes from a third-party source)? 

 I  think that  the financial burden of things like dance recitals, cheerleader uniforms, and other fees  is a privilege that comes with the joy of being a parent or grandparent. It is our responsibility.  But asking fans — especially the elderly, with already a  less disposable income — to contribute to paying for something like dance  recitals is not cool — especially when it makes the feel  like it’s a member of Alabama asking.  Too, it gives the impression that you view the fans are merely a “milk cow” that  you have the permission to milk just because you play a fiddle with Alabama.  Such  isn’t the relationship Alabama has ever had toward it’s   fans  and that is the reason they  have supported them for decades and will continue to support them. Career-wise I hope that is not a road you are trying to go down; many fans have found your post to be almost sacrilegious.

I know schools and organizations nowadays feel comfortable asking families of youngsters like Elizabeth to sell candies, doughnuts, popcorn, and magazines; all of us have had these projects brought home by our little ones and were expected to participate.  However, when we did participate  we asked only immediate family, friends, and neighbors to contribute. We did not impose on people who knew us thru our performances with a band we knew  and  we were not expecting loyal fans to follow.

Megan , I'm in a Facebook fan group, and we've had members die  in 2023 and some are currently on Hospice--dying. Some have insurance that pays poorly and  some members  have had to sleep in their vehicles ( in hospital parking lots ) because they couldn’t afford motel facilities. One of our members recent  had a very serious surgery  and had to come  up  with thousands of dollars before he  could even  be considered for surgery. 

 So in the real world where most of us live,  relatively small things like dance recitals are more than frivolous --and something their grandchildren may never  get to experience in their lives.  And we all have enough financial stress along and don’t need to borrow yours.   It seems you may just have forgotten where we ( Alabama’s fans)  live.

I am addressing you this with respect, not anger. I just hope you will consider what your position with Alabama  entails to be given  -- by way of their association with Randy and Teddy--the very people who have loved you and your new role in the Alabama family for the last few years, especially since Jeff Cook passed.  

Why didn’t you ask Randy or Teddy to sponsor Elizabeth; I’m sure they would have done it anonymously.  Alabama fans deserve to be cared for, not pressured—even in a subtle means by posts.  I think  as a part-time member of the the Alabama band, you are obligated to give the fans that same respect.

And what about your husband, Tyler Owen ?  Is he unable to work and pay the necessary expenses most fathers would be honored to take care to provide more than just food and clothing for their children.

If your parents  were the kind of people our  parents and grandparents  come from, you might be driving Elizabeth door-to-door and helping her sell her popcorn instead of hawking over-priced popcorn on social media.   My parents did this when I was in the seventh grade and I won a contest for selling the most cases of “World Finest Chocolates”; it taught me that it was good to work for something, that it was rewarding to reach or exceed a goal ; and it showed me my parents loved me and supported me.

In your case you have decided to digitally solicit in a cold and impersonal venue and in your own name for a daughter who is your and your husband’s responsibility.  I don’t think as a Mother posting for her daughter and naming the store after herself: “Megan’s Pop Up Store” rather than Elizabeth’s will teach her anything except it’s because of who she knows that she is going to learn to how to receive  everything in life handed to her on a silver-platter.  This I regret.

Respectfully,

Ken 

P. S. This was sent to you personally in hopes that you would reply and this could have never been published; it was not  shared with anyone until you were given more than enough time to reply; it became obvious that you had no plans to do so..  I hope you respect this communication and treat it the same way—and respond only to me.  If it should become an issue of public debate or comment, I think you will appreciate my effort to let you in on many fan’s perspective.  I wrote this letter but I am not the only one who feels this way.  Thank you.

Megan’s Pop-Up Store - Double Good Online Fundraising

Q:  Does Megan Mullins Owen’s post soliciting donations for her  daughter’s dance group place expectations on her Fans and also Alabama Band’s fans?

A:   Yes — it can feel like a solicitation, and yes — some fans may feel obligated because of   their loyalty.

Now here’s the fuller picture, based on what’s visible on her page facebook.com:

________________________________________

 1. The post is a fundraiser link.

She shared a direct link to a popcorn fundraiser for her daughter’s recital. That’s a personal financial request, even if it’s wrapped in friendliness or gratitude.

When someone with a public platform — especially someone connected to a beloved band — posts a fundraiser, it naturally carries more weight than if an everyday fan posted the same thing.

________________________________________

 2. Her association with Alabama changes how fans interpret it.

Even though Megan is not a full-time member of the band, she is publicly connected to Randy Owen and the Alabama legacy. That connection creates a power imbalance:

• Fans admire the band.

• Fans feel loyalty to the family.

• Fans often want to “give back” because the music meant so much to them.

So even if she didn’t intend to pressure anyone, the effect can still feel like pressure.

________________________________________

 3. Many Alabama fans are older, generous, and deeply loyal.

You know your people — salt-of-the-earth folks, many on fixed incomes, who would give their last dollar if they thought it helped someone connected to the band.

That’s exactly why this kind of post can feel uncomfortable.

Not because the fundraiser is wrong in itself, but because the audience is vulnerable to feeling obligated.

________________________________________

 4. Intent vs. impact

Her intent may simply be:

“Hey, if you want popcorn, here’s the link.”

But the impact on fans can be:

“Oh no… I love Alabama. I should help. They’ve given me so much.”

That emotional pull is real — and it’s why you’re sensing something off.

________________________________________

 5. Does it cross a line?

It doesn’t break any rules.

But it does blur boundaries.

When someone tied to a famous group uses that connection — even indirectly — to raise money for personal expenses, it can absolutely feel like:

• leveraging the band’s goodwill

• tapping into fan loyalty

• creating emotional pressure

• implying obligation, even unintentionally

And yes, some fans will donate because of the Alabama connection, not because they wanted popcorn.

________________________________________

 My instincts are right.

I’m not being dramatic.

I’m not being unfair.

I’m just noticing a dynamic that many people feel but don’t articulate.

Fans should never feel obligated to financially support someone’s child’s recital — especially when the request comes from someone with a public platform tied ( even if on an occasional basis) to a legendary band.  Such reflects badly on the legendary band as well as the soliciting parent (s), themselves.