Alabama perform during Music Builds: the CMT Disaster Relief Concert
photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images Entertainment
loading...

Today's spotlight falls on a trio that were the most successful country act of the 80's and has recently released their first new album in 14 years.

Founded in Fort Payne, Alabama in 1969 by cousins Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry, Jeff Cook and Jackie Owen, the group Alabama was the top selling country act of the 1980's. Jackie Owen had left the group by the time success started rolling in, replaced by drummer Mark Herndon. The core group of Randy Owen, Gentry, Cook and Herndon released 18 studio albums, 15 of which were certified gold or platinum. Those albums produced 45 top-10 hits, of which 32 went to #1.

Alabama pose in the press room at the American Country Awards 2011
Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
loading...

A divide in the group led to a farewell tour which began in 2002. Owen had begun recording a solo album and the three remaining cousins later admitted that they were just exhausted from over 20 years of touring and recording. They performed their "final" show in Bismarck, ND in October of 2004. The cracks in the group began to show almost immediately, with Herndon announcing right after the final show that he "needed a job".

Herndon and the cousins had always had a difficult relationship during the band's run. Desoite Herndon appearing on every album, being present in each group press photo, and a photo of him even once hung at Alabama's fan club and museum, Owen has contended that the drummer was never an official member of the group, claiming Herndon's inclusion in photos was the label's idea, and that he was actually a paid employee of the group.

When a series of tornadoes devastated their home state in 2011, Owen, Cook & Gentry reunited to play a series of benefit shows, without Herndon. In 2011, the trio appeared as guests on Brad Paisley's single "Old Alabama", which became their 33rd #1 hit.

Alabama accept the Greatest Hits Award onstage at the American Country Awards 2011
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
loading...

Alabama is among the world's best-selling bands of all time, having sold a combined 75 million albums and singles. They recently announced the release of their first new studio album since 2001's When It All Goes South, Southern Drawl, which is set for release on September 18th. The first single from the album is in our spotlight today, their first since 2002. Alabama and "Wasn't Through Lovin' You Yet" is the Catch of the Day, new music you haven't heard, but you'll want to hear it again.

More From KLAW-FM