Randy Owen picked to receive honor
Wednesday, April 23, 2008 – Randy Owen, lead singer of Alabama, was chosen to receive the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in a ceremony to be held in New York City on May 10.
The Ellis Island Medal of Honor was established in 1986 to pay tribute to the immigrant experience and individual achievement, and are awarded to U.S. citizens from various ethnic backgrounds. The honorees are awarded for showing outstanding qualities in their personal and professional lives, while maintaining the richness of their particular heritage.
Past recipients include six U.S. Presidents, Nobel Prize winners, athletes, leaders of industry, artists and actors such as Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, Gerald Ford and Bob Hope. Owen joins a select few music artists such as Glen Campbell, Natalie Cole, Wayne Newton, who have received the honor.
"This is one of the most memorable things to happen to my family and me," said Owen. "I am so proud to be able to represent a whole lot of my family. This just shows you as a kid growing up in poverty, with a lot of love and determination, you can do a lot in this great country."
Owen recently recorded his debut solo project, "One On One," which will hit stores later this year. He will hit the road on a nationwide tour beginning May 31.
More news for Alabama
CD reviews for Alabama
Alabama: The Last Stand
For a band that's supposed to be retired, Alabama has been steadily issuing a string of albums in the past few years, from their two-volume gospel music series to this new live album available only at Cracker Barrel restaurants. Just as similar discs from other country artists such as Alison Krauss and Josh Turner, this collection will appeal mostly to the band's core fan base.
There are some familiar classics, like "Old Flames" and "The Closer You Get," which are »»» |
Songs of Inspiration Volume II
For their second album of gospel music, Alabama sticks with a similar formula - a predictable mixture of traditional favorites and well-known hymns along with a few originals, not all of which work.
"When It Comes My Time" and "One Life" sound too much like the band's '80s output to be anything other than distracting, and the plodding arrangement of "I Am A Pilgrim," tries and fails to attain an energetic Waylon-esque stomp.
When they get some help and »»» |
Songs of Inspiration
As one of country's highest-profile success stories, Alabama's not-so-secret weapon has always been Randy Owen's voice. Unimpeachably Southern, but with traceable hints of rock and soul, Owen's pipes reach out over the airwaves with an earnestness that stirs the faithful. In other words, it has all the qualities that would make great gospel music.
This album was Alabama's game to lose, and, they don't. The band has turned in the tour buses, secured their bona fides »»» |
Editorial: A fine night for Taylor Swift –
Taylor Swift's showing at the Country Music Association awards Wednesday night was no surprise. In some respects, it was invigorating to see someone who was not male and not around umpteen years like some of her male counterparts take home the biggest prize of the night, entertainer of the year. »»»
Concert Review: Radney Foster sparks a revival –
Radney Foster told fans that he came home from the University of the South one weekend early in his college career and told his parents in the wee hours of the morning that he wanted to quit college and head to Nashville to pursue a music career. His parents agreed...fortunately.
Three decades later, that resulted in Foster playing songs on this... »»»
Concert Review: Neko Case overcomes obstacles –
The opening of Neko Case's show was unusual to say the least. "I'm angry right now," said the red head. "We just had a big fight with the promoter. We're going to sing weird, but we're actually very happy to be here."
Making quite clear that she was not a happy camper, Case still channeled her musical energies... »»»
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