Michael Ray and Jake Owen’s Alabama Tribute Brings Randy Owen to Tears
Randy Owen questioned if anyone wanted to hear his music. Michael Ray and Jake Owen had the perfect answer.
The Alabama frontman led his annual St. Jude Country Cares Songwriter's Night to end an emotional weekend on Saturday (Jan. 26). Ray, Jake Owen and Clint Black joined him on stage for the guitar pull, and they went around once before coming back to Randy Owen who sheepishly admitted that most of his hits were older than the two youngest men on stage. That's when Ray improvised.
The "One That Got Away" singer proved he isn't exaggerating when he claims a love of '80s and '90s country music. Throughout Saturday night's show at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Ray mouthed the words to both Owen and Black's hits and deep cuts. After singing his own single, he talked about how an Alabama song was the third song he ever learned on guitar, then going into "Lady Down on Love."
Soon Jake Owen joined in, followed by roughly 1,000 people in attendance. Randy Owen was simply dumbfounded that a song Alabama cut 35 years ago was still so important and well-known. He wiped away tears, tried to hide his crying eyes, but eventually left the stage to compose himself as the group got through the song effortlessly.
See More Pics from the St. Jude Songwriter's Night:
Owen, 69, started Country Cares in 1989 at the request of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital founder Danny Thomas. In 30 years, more than $800 million has been raised for kids who need it. This year 200+ radio stations will participate in radiothons or events to help raise money.
On Feb. 7-8, Taste of Country will assist more than a dozen country radio stations in raising money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital with a webathon/radiothon. Nearly $7 million has been raised during the previous five joint efforts, with much more raised from other TSM stations later in the year. If you'd like to donate, check here for various options.
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