Alabama Announce First New Country Album in 14 Years

The last time Alabama put original music out, the country genre looked a little different, and the band itself did too. Now 14 years later, Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry and Jeff Cook are slated to release a brand new album, Southern Drawl.

“Country music when we took our vacation is not the same country it is today,” Cook tells USA Today.

Alabama last released a new country album in 2001 with the project When It All Goes South. Since then they released a live and gospel album in 2014, so this will be the first time fans will get the pleasure of hearing new music from the group since. And just as times have changed, their sound will too.

“For people who knew the original Alabama, it’s going to be a little different to their ears,” Cook says.

“Wasn’t Through Lovin’ You Yet” will be the first single released from the forthcoming album. USA Today calls the song "a pulsing romantic ballad,” and goes on to say the title track shows hints of current day country superstars such as Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and Kenny Chesney.

Another cut off Southern Drawl features a female who is no stranger to partaking in duets on country records, Alison Krauss.

“She sang some harmony on the bridge with Randy and me and played fiddle, too,” Gentry says. “I thought of her and thought it’d be neat to have her voice on there.”

Southern Drawl will drop on Sept. 18. There is no track listing or pre-order information available yet, but it is expected to be announced as the release date draws nearer.

Even though it has been a long 14 years for some of Alabama's biggest fans, the boys know fans haven't forgotten about them, and want them to know the wait is almost over.

“I’m so thankful people care about the music we made,” Owen says, adding, “They still come to the concerts, and they’re very enthusiastic. Hopefully, this new music will be something they’ll enjoy. I put everything I had in it."

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