ALABAMA’s Randy and Kelly Owen Honored for a Lifetime of Agricultural Excellence

A Legacy of Music and Agriculture

Randy Owen, lead singer and founding member of the legendary country band ALABAMA, has spent decades leaving his mark on country music. But this fall, he and his wife Kelly were recognized for a different kind of legacy — their lifelong dedication to agriculture.

On October 25, the American Hereford Association (AHA) honored Randy and Kelly Owen with the prestigious Hall of Merit Award during the organization’s Annual Meeting and International Conference in Kansas City, Missouri. The Hall of Merit is one of the AHA’s highest distinctions, reserved for those who have made a lasting impact on the Hereford breed and the broader cattle industry.

Honoring a Lifelong Commitment to the Land

For nearly 50 years, the Owens have raised registered Hereford and Angus cattle on their Tennessee River Music Ranch in Fort Payne, Alabama. Their ranch isn’t just an operation — it’s a reflection of the couple’s deep respect for the land, their animals, and the agricultural way of life.

Through decades of dedication, Randy and Kelly have built a reputation for excellence in animal care and land stewardship. They have also made it a priority to encourage youth involvement in agriculture, supporting programs such as 4-H and FFA.

“After breeding Herefords for almost 50 years, it’s nice to be recognized for the Hall of Merit in Kansas City at the World Hereford Conference,” Randy Owen said.

The award presentation, which included family and fellow cattle enthusiasts, highlighted the couple’s unwavering commitment to the values that define both good farming and good living — hard work, humility, and heart.

From Cotton Fields to Country Fame

Randy Owen’s roots in agriculture run deep. Long before he and his cousins Jeff Cook and Teddy Gentry formed ALABAMA, they worked the cotton fields of Fort Payne. That work ethic carried over into their music — a blend of grit and gratitude that helped shape a new era of country sound.

Over the past five decades, ALABAMA has become the most successful band in country music history, selling more than 80 million albums and charting 43 No. 1 hits. Songs like “Mountain Music,” “Dixieland Delight,” and “If You’re Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band)” became anthems for generations.

In 2005, the group was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Though co-founder Jeff Cook passed away in 2022 following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease, ALABAMA continues to perform, honoring Cook’s wish to keep their music alive for new audiences.

The Tradition Continues

Randy and fellow bandmate Teddy Gentry are currently performing across the nation on the Live In Concert 25 Tour, with six more shows scheduled before the end of the year. Fans can find upcoming tour dates at thealabamaband.com.

Even while on the road, Randy Owen remains grounded in the values that first shaped him — faith, family, and farming. His and Kelly’s recognition by the American Hereford Association underscores that success isn’t only measured in hit records, but also in the lives and communities touched along the way.