Alabama regroups

That's the word from Jeff Cook, guitarist, fiddler and keyboardist for the band, in an interview with Bradenton.com. The reunion could include a tour and new music in 2012.

Alabama supposedly ended its career together with a show in Bismarck, N.D., on Oct. 16, 2004.

Cook told Ward Tatangelo of the web site, "We're talking about doing maybe 20 shows next year," said Cook. "I never felt it was right that a band called Alabama should end their career in Bismarck, N.D. "It should have ended in Birmingham or Huntsville."

Alabama has gained some traction thanks to being on Old Alabama, the number one song from Brad Paisley on which the band plays and sings. The song incorporates part of the band's hit Mountain Music. Paisley and Alabama played the song together at the Academy of Country Music Awards April 3.

Last year, Alabama reunited to record Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way for "The Music Inside -- A Collaboration Dedicated To Waylon Jennings Vol. I," which came out in February.

Alabama also will headline "Bama Rising: A Benefit Concert for Alabama Tornado Recovery" on June 14. Paisley, Sheryl Crow, Dierks Bentley, Montgomery Gentry, Sara Evans, Darius Rucker and Kellie Pickler will participate.

"We started talking about the tour of 20 shows and the promoter said, 'Let's see what you're made of,' " Cook said. "We spearheaded this fund-raising event, and it sold out in 15 minutes."