Remembering Alabama’s Jeff Cook
• Jeff Cook, co-founding member of legendary Country band, Alabama, passed away Monday, Nov. 7 at his home in Destin, FL after a ten-year battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 73 years old.
According to People, Cook and two of his cousins, guitarist Randy Owen and bassist Teddy Gentry, formed a band called Wild Country in the late ’60s before officially co-founding Alabama a decade later. They released three albums in the ’70s — Wild Country, Deuces Wild and Alabama Band No. 3 — that largely flew under the radar before signing to RCA Records to craft their major label debut, 1980’s My Home’s in Alabama.
Alabama rose to prominence in the late ’70s and ’80s with a string of hits that include “Tennessee River,” “Dixieland Delight,” “Song Of The South,” “Mountain Music,” “Feels So Right” and more. The group amassed more than 41 No. 1 singles and 12 Top 10 albums and sold more than 75 million records worldwide. Alabama earned three consecutive CMA Awards for Entertainer of the Year (1982-1984) and five ACM Awards for Entertainer of the Year (1982-1986). In 1989, Alabama was named Artist of the Decade by the ACM, and the band was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005.
In addition to his performance work, Cook founded Cook Sound Studios, Inc. in Fort Payne and established WQRX-AM/Valley Head, AL, later selling the station. Cook was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2019.
“Few bands are more ubiquitous in Country Music today than Alabama,” said Sarah Trahern, CEO of the Country Music Association (CMA). “Jeff was instrumental to Alabama’s high energy stage presence and authentic Country sound. My deepest condolences to Jeff’s family, friends and the band.”
• The Benztown Audio Tribute to Jeff Cook was written by Mike McVay, voiced by Royce Stevenson, and produced by Thomas Green.
