Some of the biggest stars in country music are joining forces to honor one of the most legendary bands in the genre — Alabama.
The trailblazing group, made up of Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry, and the late Jeff Cook, is the latest to be featured in CMT Giants, a heartfelt tribute series celebrating icons in country music. The special concert was filmed at the beautiful Fisher Center at Belmont University in Nashville, and PEOPLE got an exclusive first look at the incredible night.
Onstage and behind the scenes, country favorites like Little Big Town, Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, Jamey Johnson, Sam Hunt, Riley Green, Old Dominion, Pam Tillis, Lorrie Morgan, and Steve Wariner all came together to pay tribute. Even Alabama’s own Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry joined in to perform their timeless hits “Mountain Music” and “My Home’s in Alabama.”
Set to air on Thursday, August 15 at 8 p.m. ET on CMT, the special will feature unforgettable performances of Alabama’s greatest hits, each reimagined by today’s country stars. Highlights include:
The celebration will also include appearances by Evander Holyfield, Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, Martina McBride, and Vince Gill, along with a brand-new interview with Alabama’s surviving members.
Formed in 1969, Alabama rose to massive stardom in the 1980s, topping the charts with an incredible 27 No. 1 country hits — and adding more into the ’90s. Their blend of Southern rock and traditional country made them household names and paved the way for many artists today.
Though they took a break in the mid-2000s, the band reunited several times and released their comeback album Southern Drawl in 2015. Sadly, in 2017, Jeff Cook revealed he had been battling Parkinson’s disease, and he passed away in 2022.
Randy Owen remembered his longtime bandmate with heartfelt words:
“He lived to play the music we made together. He could play anything, but I’ll miss his harmonies most of all.”
Teddy Gentry added, “Jeff, Randy, and I were like brothers. We went through everything together—successes, struggles, and years on the road. No one played quite like Jeff. There will never be another.”
The upcoming CMT Giants: Alabama special is more than a tribute — it’s a celebration of a band whose songs have become part of the fabric of country music. Don’t miss it!
