By Dean Poling
July 03, 2008 11:29 pm
—
It’s got to be tough. He’s sold millions of albums, won countless awards, and is a member of one of the biggest country supergroups, if not the biggest country group ever, but, to promote a Randy Owen show, promoters usually add a tagline, something like, “Alabama’s former frontman.”
Oh, THAT Randy Owen.
Yes, that Randy Owen plays Wild Adventures Saturday night. On Wednesday morning, he took a few minutes to talk with The Valdosta Daily Times by phone to discuss starting over after fronting one of the most successful bands, country or otherwise, in history.
It started with his work through Country Cares, which is affiliated with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Talking with a group of people, Owen discovered that some folks were aware of St. Jude but had no idea who Danny Thomas was. Thomas was an actor, an early star of television, who produced “The Andy Griffith Show,” and was a driving force behind the work of the hospital. Having to explain who Thomas was led Owen to look at his own career.
“I realized it had been eight years since I had a new song for country radio,” Owen says.
So he recorded a few songs and then weighed performing. He believed he was ready, but was the public ready to hear Randy Owen without the rest of Alabama?
“I want to play music for the rest of my life,” Owen says, “but let’s see what the public thinks.” About a dozen shows were scheduled, in small and large venues. The shows were a success.
“I came back resuscitated,” he says. “It was a gratifying and humbling experience.”
Randy Owen’s solo career was on.
He’s on tour. He has a single out, called “Like I Never Broke Her Heart.” His solo CD is due out Nov. 11. He’s working on a memoir to be called “Born Country” with a release date to coincide with the album.
Still, the question must be asked, is it tough having to work for it?
As Alabama, Owen wouldn’t have to do a phone interview. The name Alabama automatically sold thousands of tickets, immediately.
Is it tough starting over?
“I’m not really thinking about that right now,” Owen says. “Right now, my focus is on these songs. ... To me this is about getting back to my love of music, the sounds of pianos, guitars, drums, voices. I love it. Wanting to make new music is why we’re out doing what we’re doing.”
Randy Owen’s solo concert will showcase these new songs, but he hasn’t forgotten his roots or the music that brung him to the dance. Since he was the primary voice of Alabama, Owen also performs several Alabama hits as part of his solo show.
Which leads to a question he probably gets too many times a day: Will Alabama ever get back together?
“We’re all individuals,” he says of his Alabama band mates. “We’re each very different, but when we get together and sing, it is absolutely magical. These are obviously all talented people, but we’re doing different things right now. I’m grateful and thankful for that music, but my desire is to do new music.”
SHOWTIME
Country star Randy Owen with opening act Brandi Thornton.
When: Music starts 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Wild Adventures, Old Clyattville Road.
Admission: Concert is included in the park’s regular admission price or with Passport. Reserved seating available for an additional $20.
More information: Call 219-7080, option 2; or visit wildadventures.net
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Photos
Randy Owen