The Alabama Band Announces First Tour Since Retirement

While perusing through my Twitter feed this afternoon, I came across a tweet from CMT (Country Music Television) that forced an audible, high-pitched scream to emit from my lips. Did I read that right?!.... Alabama has come out of retirement to tour?? My eyes had, in fact, not failed me, the legendary Alabama Band was emerging from a near 10-year retirement to announce an official, multi-date tour. 

The 40th Anniversary Tour, "Back to the Bowery," is a celebration of 40 wonderful years since their first gig at the dive bar known as "The Bowery." Lead singer Randy Owen will join band members Teddy Gentry (bassist) and Jeff Cook (guitarist-fiddler) for a 10-city tour beginning in Myrtle Beach, S.C. More tour dates are slated to be announced at a later date. As their first official tour since their alleged retirement in 2002, the tour announcement came as quite a shock to many devoted fans and music industry professionals. Nonetheless, Alabama fans all across the world are celebrating in light of today's tour announcement and supposed official return to the music scene. 

"I'm so excited to celebrate 40 years since our first show at the Bowery," said lead singer Randy Owen. "We still love one another, have played music together all these years and are blessed to still be around. Most importantly, we are ever grateful for the fans, many having been with us since we used to play for tips, so to be able to go back out and play for them will make this a very special year."

In addition to the approaching tour, the band has announced plans to host a cruise in October entitled the "Alabama and Friends Festival at Sea." The cruise is slated to depart from Miami. More specific information about the upcoming cruise and tour will be available at a later date. 

To find out further information about the band's hiatus from retirement and their newly announced tour, visit the band or CMT's website. 

-This post was based on information derived from CMT's website. All photo rights belong to The Alabama Band and CMT television network.-