who were the original members of the band alabama
Alabama (American band)
Alabama was formed by guitarists Randy Owen and Jeff Cook , and bassist Teddy Gentry , three cousins born and raised near Fort Payne , Alabama , an area with strong country music roots . Owen and Gentry grew up on separate cotton farms on Lookout Mountain ( a plateau that stretches across northeastern Alabama , through northwest Georgia and into Tennessee ) , learning guitar together and singing in church before the age of six . Gentry and Owen played in numerous groups during the 1960s , ranging from pop to bluegrass . Cook joined the band in 1969 forming the group Young Country , which first jammed together around Christmas . Cook also played in numerous bands and was a rock and roll disk jockey . The three cousins all shared vocal duties , with another cousin , drummer Jackie Owen , completing the group 's first lineup . The band 's first performance was at a high school talent contest ( playing a Merle Haggard song ) , for which they won first prize and tickets to the Grand Ole Opry . Despite this , all were busy with prior commitments to pursue music : Owen still in high school , Cook working for Western Electric , and Gentry laying carpets full - time . The band grew further inactive when Cook went to college and Owen into the military . 
Alabama was formed by guitarists Randy Owen and Jeff Cook , and bassist Teddy Gentry , three cousins born and raised near Fort Payne , Alabama , an area with strong country music roots . Owen and Gentry grew up on separate cotton farms on Lookout Mountain ( a plateau that stretches across northeastern Alabama , through northwest Georgia and into Tennessee ) , learning guitar together and singing in church before the age of six . Gentry and Owen played in numerous groups during the 1960s , ranging from pop to bluegrass . Cook joined the band in 1969 forming the group Young Country , which first jammed together around Christmas . Cook also played in numerous bands and was a rock and roll disk jockey . The three cousins all shared vocal duties , with another cousin , drummer Jackie Owen , completing the group 's first lineup . The band 's first performance was at a high school talent contest ( playing a Merle Haggard song ) , for which they won first prize and tickets to the Grand Ole Opry . Despite this , all were busy with prior commitments to pursue music : Owen still in high school , Cook working for Western Electric , and Gentry laying carpets full - time . The band grew further inactive when Cook went to college and Owen into the military .
The original members of the band Alabama were guitarists Randy Owen and Jeff Cook , and bassist Teddy Gentry , later on joined by drummer Jackie Owen.
Alabama was formed by guitarists Randy Owen and Jeff Cook , and bassist Teddy Gentry , three cousins born and raised near Fort Payne , Alabama , an area with strong country music roots . The three cousins all shared vocal duties , with another cousin , drummer Jackie Owen , completing the group 's first lineup .