Jeff Cook, lead guitarist for Alabama

Jeff faced a similar problem lots of us have faced, how to distill the usually several layered parts on the recording down to something recognizable in the same flavor when playing the tune live. Alabama, were of course, hugely successful. In their later tours they'd carry several extra musicians to flesh out the arrangements live which helped a lot. Fred Tackett did a lot of the guitar work on their hits.

I've heard the story more than once that the instructions on the sessions were for the parts to stay simple enough for them to play live; they'd hardly be the first to have their records cut that way. These guys caught lightning in the bottle, were remarkably drama-free, and were smart with their money, in the face of HUGE success, and I'd say I'm a fan. They used to sponsor their 'June Jam' in their hometown where the money raised did a lot of good. Not the sometimes ego-driven addle-brained burnouts that sometimes occur, and good for them.

 

Jeff is an amazing musician, love his guitar work & fiddle playing. Alabama really did so much for country music. Absolutely love them! Bassist Teddy Gentry used to play a black pre Eb musicman stingray, along with an assortment of vintage P basses. They are indeed legends & are enormously successful.

 

& I believe bassist Teddy Gentry is a mutual cousin of Randy & Jeff, if I’m not mistaken. Very cool success story!

 

Interestingly (and a useful lesson) they're like the Beatles in a way.

They played in Myrtle Beach, if memory serves, for about 10 years for tips. Think about that. By the time RCA became interested, they were as tight as tight could be, much like the Beatles paying all their dues in Germany. All that playing and living together, bolstered by 'family harmony' in that they hear the same way, utterly armor-plates a band. You've learned to live together and get along through just about anything, sharpened your determination right off the Rockwell scale, and your radar as to what the other guy's doing is sharp as it can be.

That once they 'hit' there were no real issues with the usual Muzic Bidness Occupational Hazards is not surprising at all. They'd seen EVERYTHING by the time the money was coming in, it was easy by then.

The great thing about Alabama was they made us remember being Southern is something special.

 

A band I have never really explored but thanks to this thread, will indulge.

Playing in a modern Country act has opened my mind to these things.

Thanks!

 

When Alabama hit big in the 80's I remember the local rock guitar dudes raving about Jeff Cook.