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: American Idol's Carrie Underwood can sing –
If anyone saw the Super Bowl – what a great great game that was – they would have heard American Idol winner and country superstar Carrie Underwood sing the National Anthem. Underwood did with her voice what Kelly Clarkson did last week with her written words – give it to Scott Borchetta, the head of Big Machine Records,, who tried defending Taylor Swift by knocking American Idol performers. »»»
Concert Review: McBride, Adkins shine sometimes –
As Martina McBride pointed out, the pairing of the country singer with Trace Adkins on their current jaunt was surprising. After all, she's of diva-quality voice, petite, non-controversial unless you call singing songs that empower women controversial. Adkins, on the other hand, has not been afraid to speak his mind with a kick butt attitude.... »»»
Concert Review: Eilen Jewell wears her musical hats well –
Eilen Jewell wears a lot of musical hats. The Idaho native, who now lives in Boston, fronts the Eilen (ee-lin) Jewell Band, a pretty much traditional country band. She's a member the Sacred Shakers, an octet doing gospel country with a country beat. And she has yet another project, Butcher Holler, covering Loretta Lynn songs.... »»»
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Haywire
There are two versions of Josh Turner's fourth CD - standard and deluxe. The deluxe has the same 11 tracks as the standard, plus (among other goodies) live versions of previously released songs Long Black Train and Your Man . But don't spend more money than you have to; if it's redundancy you're looking for, there's plenty to be had on the standard version. »»» |
Somewhere in Time
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