Back in the mid to late 70's, my days of rocking out to the likes of AC/DC and Motley Crue were still years away. Back then, my 8-track collection was strictly country and included the likes of Red Sovine, Johnny Horton, and the previously mentioned Roger Whittaker and Marty Robbins. I was absolutely clueless about rock and roll. I remember being over at this kid's house while he was going through his album collection.
"Hey, do you like Kiss?"
"Kiss? Kiss what? You mean girls? I don't know, man. Girls are weird." Totally. Clueless.
Country music was at a crossroads in the waning years of disco and the dawning of 80's pop. It had its share of superstars like Kenny Rogers and Barbara Mandrell who raised its cachet, but it just didn't seem to have a national stage.
Then along comes Alabama. Formed in 1969, they hit their stride in the 80's and became the bridge between the old guard of country to the new generation of stars - Garth Brooks, Clint Black, and Shania Twain.
Alabama is the most awarded group in country music. The boys from Fort Payne, Alabama have scored over 200 awards and honors from over 20 organizations including the Academy of Country Music, the Country Music Association, Billboard, and the Grammys. They've got multiple wins for "Top Vocal Group", "Top Single", "Top Album", and "Top Entertainer." This culminated in 1989 when the Academy of Country Music declared them "Artist of the Decade." As icing on the cake, the university of Alabama, Auburn University, even bestowed on them the "International Quality of Life Award."
Of all Alabama's singles, picking a favorite was easy - "Dixieland Delight." The lyrics could be narrating a Saturday evening for Andrea and me back when we first started dating. I'd pick her up in the 'Stang and we'd spend time cruising the highways and byways of Lee County Alabama. Other times we'd just park and stroll through Chewacla State Park. Simpler times and simple pleasures. With the moon above and her holding my hand, I absolutely did feel "lucky as a seven."
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