ALABAMA REACTS TO RECEIVING CMA'S HIGHEST HONOR, THE PINNACLE AWARD

Iconic Country Band Surprises Concertgoers With

Unannounced Performance at Nissan Stadium During CMA Fest

Dierks Bentley Bestows Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry with

Pinnacle Award, Marking Only Fourth Time Given in History

Photo ID: Teddy Gentry (L), Randy Owen (R)

Photo Credit: Nick Zimmer / CMA

Iconic country group ALABAMA is no stranger to industry awards, having received over 250 throughout its 50-plus year career. Last night, founding members Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry received yet another accolade and arguably their biggest yet, CMA's highest honor, the Pinnacle Award.

During the final evening of live CMA Fest concert performances at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, ALABAMA surprised thousands of fans with an unannounced appearance. The legendary band kept fans on their feet with hit songs "Dixieland Delight," "Mountain Music," "If You're Gonna Play In Texas (You Gotta Have A Fiddle In The Band)," and "Tennessee River."

Following their performance, Dierks Bentley surprised Owen and Gentry with the CMA Pinnacle Award, marking only the fourth time in history the honor has been bestowed. The three previous recipients of the award are Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney and Taylor Swift.

Photo ID: Teddy Gentry (L), Randy Owen (R)

Photo Credit: Nick Zimmer / CMA

"We had a great time playing CMA Fest, but we still call it Fan Fair," says Owen. "To celebrate our 50th anniversary as a band and to play the Fest on its 50th anniversary was very special. Receiving CMA’s highest honor, the Pinnacle Award, was the surprise of the night, and we are so honored and humbled."

The Pinnacle Award recognizes an artist or group who has undeniably redefined the pinnacle of success in the genre by achieving prominence through concert performances, consumption numbers, record sales and/or other significant industry achievements at levels unique for country music. They have also attained the highest degree of recognition within the broad expanse of music worldwide, and their talent and presence will have a long-term positive impact on the appreciation of country music for generations to come.

"We understand that the only others who have received this award are Kenny Chesney, Taylor Swift and Garth Brooks," adds Gentry. "That puts us with some amazing talent that are still recording and touring. We thank the CMA board for this award and are thankful to the three generations of fans who love our music."

ALABAMA'S RANDY OWEN RECEIVES CMA FOUNDATION HUMANITARIAN AWARD

Photo caption: Lon Helton (right) presents Randy Owen (left) with the 

CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award

Photo courtesy of CMA

Yesterday (Tuesday, November 19) during an intimate CMA Board reception at the Analog at Hutton Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee, ALABAMA frontman Randy Owen was on-hand to present a special award, or so he thought. Owen and his wife Kelly traveled to Nashville under the impression he would be presenting radio vet Lon Helton with an industry honor. As the event unfolded, Owen realized he'd been fooled when Helton took the stage, surprising the Country Music Hall of Famer with the CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award.

"I'm truly surprised and grateful for this award," says Owen. "Hopefully, this will inspire other artists to follow their hearts to help the down and out, the helpless and especially sick children and families in need. I am so grateful to my longtime friend Lon Helton for presenting me with this award."

The CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award recognizes an individual who has served as a humanitarian through community leadership, financial support, personal volunteerism and advocacy. The individual honored has evidenced commitment to worthwhile causes that are important to the Country Music Association and the country music community.

In 1989, Owen was selected by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital founder, Danny Thomas, to get the country music industry involved in raising funds for the facility. As a result, Owen created Country Cares, one of the most successful fundraising campaigns in radio history. Since its inception, Country Cares has pioneered radio charitable fundraising, raising more than $875 million for the hospital. Owen is also involved in a variety of additional philanthropic endeavors including spearheading June Jam festivals, which have raised over $15 million for charities, Alabama Sheriffs Boys Ranch summer camps and celebrity golf tournaments as well as tornado and hurricane benefits. ALABAMA participated in a 2017 hurricane benefit, supporting the victims of hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. The event raised $40 million and drew five former U.S. presidents to attend: Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter.

ALABAMA'S RANDY OWEN INDUCTED INTO THE ALABAMA BUSINESS HALL OF FAME

Culverhouse College of Business Dean Kay M. Palan formally inducts Randy Owen

into the Alabama Business Hall of Fame / Photo credit: JAMM Entertainment 

ALABAMA frontman Randy Owen has added another accolade to his long list of achievements. Last Thursday, November 15, in Birmingham, Alabama, the legendary country singer was formally inducted into the Alabama Business Hall of Fame. Owen's induction comes as result of his business dealings in music, agriculture and humanitarianism. 

"It's a great honor to be one of this year's inductees into the Alabama Business Hall of Fame," says Owen. "It's very special that my entire family got to share the night together. God bless all the fellow inductees, their families and our home state!"

Founded in 1973 by the Board of Visitors of the Culverhouse College of Commerce at The University of Alabama, the Alabama Business Hall of Fame honors, preserves and perpetuates the names and outstanding accomplishments of business personalities who have brought lasting fame to the state of Alabama.

Owen has been the lead vocalist of ALABAMA, the most successful and awarded band in country music history, for nearly 50 years. When he's not writing songs or performing on the road, Owen stays busy in Fort Payne, Alabama, operating his 3,000-acre ranch, Tennessee River Music, Inc., where he tends to 500 head of Hereford and Angus cattle. 

Much of Owen's time is spent helping others through his humanitarian efforts, such as launching Country Cares for St. Jude Kids, an annual radiothon fundraising event that has garnered more than $800 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. He received the Ellis Island Award for his charity work with St. Jude.

Owen and ALABAMA have played a key role in several disaster relief initiatives, including organizing and playing concerts to support rebuilding efforts from tornadoes that struck Tuscaloosa in 2011 and Jacksonville State University (his alma mater) in March of this year. 

"THE PICKUP" CRUISES INTO FEBRUARY WITH KENNY ROGERS, RANDY OWEN, THE OAK RIDGE BOYS & THE BELLAMY BROTHERS

New Episode Features Lorrie Morgan, Hank Williams Jr., Whoopi Goldberg,

 A Tribute To The Eagles' Glenn Frey & More

"The Pickup" sails into February with another star-studded episode that features artist insights from the 2016 Country Music Cruise, an exclusive interview with Lorrie Morgan, a tribute to The Eagles' Glenn Frey, performance footage of Whoopi Goldberg with Hank Williams Jr., plus major news on other Country headliners.

Released to participating broadcast outlets today, the news and entertainment program goes in-depth with Morgan as she discusses her upcoming CD, LETTING GO ... SLOW.  Her first solo release in five years promises personal reflection, emotion and never-before-heard songs. "The Pickup" was on hand as The Gatlin Brothers were inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame; the siblings thanked the "real" cowboys with hats in hand.  Whoopi Goldberg and Hank Jr. set aside political differences to join together on "Wrapped Up, Tangled Up In Jesus" from Williams' highest-charting studio release to date, IT'S ABOUT TIME.  Keifer and Shawna Thompson of Thompson Square welcomed baby boy Rigney Cooper Thompson to the world last week, while Big & Rich celebrated 12 years of hits and back-to-back Top 10s from their current CD, GRAVITY, with a party at Rich's "Mount Richmore." In addition, Leroy Van Dyke was honored for his 60-plus year career by Missouri state senator Mike Parson, and gave auctioneering tips to viewers.  Kenny Rogers, The Oak Ridge Boys, Randy Owens and The Bellamy Brothers shared a quick preview from the 2016 Country Music Cruise.  Full celebrity interviews and more coverage from the Cruise will appear on upcoming episodes.

NEW EPISODES OF LARRY'S COUNTRY DINER TO AIR THIS FALL FEATURING CELEBRITY GUEST HOSTS FILLING IN FOR LARRY BLACK

Hit Variety Show Dubbed 2015 ICGMA "TV Show Of The Year"

Seasons come and seasons go, but no matter what rain comes their way, the cast of Larry’s Country Diner always finds the sun. This fall, tune in to RFD-TV for new episodes of the hit music and comedy variety show, featuring performances from artists like Wade Hayes, John Conlee and Joey+Rory in September. Then, in October, celebrity guests fill in for the diner’s beloved host, Larry Black as he continues his recovery from a serious ATV accident.

“Witnessing the way in which the whole cast and production teams have come together to make sure the show continues on without a hitch despite my absence, has been incredibly heart-warming and inspiring to say the least. I have a first-class team behind me and knowing that helps me heal up even faster!” said Black.

Though Black has suffered a broken back, two punctured lungs and other injuries due to the crash, he was able to be present as a bystander at the show’s most recent tapings. Black hopes to be back hosting shows in coming months.

Until then, tune in this fall in September for never-before-seen episodes featuring performances by Hayes, Conlee, Joey + Rory, Carl Jackson and Orthophonic Joy, before new episodes in October featuring celebrity guest hosts.

Upcoming episodes of Larry’s Country Diner include:

Week of:

September 5 – Wade Hayes
September 12 – John Conlee
September 19 – Joey+Rory
September 26 – Carl Jackson/Orthophonic Joy
October 3 – Ronnie Reno (guest host Adam Black)
October 10 – Moe Bandy (guest host Bill Anderson)
October 17 – Exile (guest host Larry Gatlin)
October 24 – Randy Owen (guest host Mark Wills)
October 31 – David Ball (guest host T. Graham Brown)

*Lineups are subject to change

In addition, on August 8, the International Country Gospel Music Association (ICGMA) awarded Larry’s Country Diner the 2015 ICGMA Award for “TV Show Of The Year.”

One of the show’s leading cast members, Renae The Waitress, was present at the ceremony in West Plains, Missouri to accept the award, and said, “You guys just don't know how thrilled we are to receive this award! On behalf of the whole cast, the Sheriff, Keith, Nadine and our boss, Larry, thank you for this honor. When our first show aired in 2009 we had no idea that we would still be on the air six years later. We are so thankful that we have a platform to bring wholesome family entertainment into homes every week, and that we are able to start our tapings with a prayer and our shows with a promise. Thank you again for this award and I think it should be placed right by the cash register in the diner!”

Airing Saturday nights at 11 p.m. ET / 10 p.m. CT and Sunday evenings at 7 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT on RFD-TV, the down-home hit variety show has captured the hearts of over 1.6 million viewers each month across the nation, and celebrated over 100 episodes of live, unscripted wit and family-friendly fun.

Larry’s Country Diner, produced by Gabriel Communications, airs on Saturday nights and Sunday evenings on RFD-TV. Find your local channel listing for the show here.

For more on Larry's Country Diner, visit www.larryscountrydiner.com.

EVENT (NASHVILLE, TN): TUES, OCT 22 - RUSHLOW IN THE ROUND WITH TIM RUSHLOW, RANDY OWEN AND LARRY STEWART

This one is a show you do NOT want to miss! If you're looking to get out next next Tuesday, Oct. 22, head out to the Hard Rock in Nashville around 7pm for a night of incredible music for a great cause from country's best - Larry Stewart of Restless Heart, Randy Owen of Alabama join Tim Rushlow of Little Texas for his monthly series 'Rushlow In The Round' Stories and hits all night long. Gonna be fun! Tickets are only $10.00 ($5.00 for active military). The show is open to music lovers of all ages. Tickets can be purchased at the Hard Rock.