Southern Star

Performer: Alabama
Artist: Charlie Daniels; Mark O'Connor
Producer: Josh Leo; Barry Beckett; Alabama
Distributor: (Independently by Label)

Notes: Alabama: Jeff Cook (vocals, guitar, fiddle); Randy Owen (vocals, guitar); Teddy Gentry (vocals, bass); Mark Herndon (drums). Additional personnel: Charlie Daniels (vocals); Barry Leadon (acoustic guitar, banjo, mandolin); Steve Gibson, Mark Cassteves (acoustic guitar); Larry Hanson, Josh Leo (electric guitar); Brent Rowan, Reggie Young (guitar); Mark O'Connor (fiddle); Jimmie Fadden (harmonica, jaw harp); Steve Cash (harmonica); David Briggs (piano); Costo Davis (organ, keyboards); Biff Watson, Carl Marsh (synthesizer); Larry Paxton, Michael Rhodes (bass); Owen Hale, Eddie Bayers (drums); Farrell Morris, Craig Kampf (percussion). In the early '80s, Alabama broke the country music mold, blending Southern rock and radio-friendly pop with traditional country and bluegrass. However, by the time SOUTHERN STAR was released in 1989, Alabama was nearing its commercial peak; the '90s were to see the rise of the "hat" artists, such as Garth Brooks, who were to steal the band's thunder. However, the smooth country rock sound of this now legendary band is still apparent on all 13 tracks on SOUTHERN STAR. Highlights include the love ballad, "If I Had You," where Randy Owen croons about his unrequited love affair, and the soaring "I'm Still Dreamin'." An album of crafty and hook-laden country/pop tunes, SOUTHERN STAR is the perfect album for all those who remember and enjoyed country music before the rise of the "fresh" country radio format, and the advent of pop country chanteuse Shania Twain, changed the idiom significantly.

The most successful country band of the 1980s and '90s, Alabama are notable for the fact that they ARE a band; before their advent in the late '70s, the idea of a self-contained mainstream country group was almost unheard of. Hailing from Ft. Payne, Alabama, the group parlayed its mix of country, pop, and Southern rock into 20 years of chart success, including a record-breaking string of over 40 number-one country hits. Along the way, Alabama blazed a trail followed by subsequent country/pop bands like Restless Heart, Diamond Rio and Lonestar.

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