Randy Owen is being honored for his songwriting. The Alabama frontman will receive the BMI Icon Award at the annual BMI Awards, held this year on November 19 in Nashville.
“Randy Owen’s impact on country music is immeasurable and his songwriting has left an undeniable mark on the genre,” VP of Creative Clay Bradley says. “His talents have solidified Alabama as one of the most successful Country bands of all time and his memorable melodies and relatable lyrics continue to influence countless artists that follow in his footsteps. We are honored to present him with this year’s BMI Icon Award.”
Per a press release, the BMI Icon Award is given to “exceptional songwriters in recognition of their unique and indelible influence on music makers over many generations.” Other notable songwriters who have received the prestigious honor include Toby Keith, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, Kris Kristofferson and more.
Owen has written or co-written many of Alabama’s biggest hits, including “Feels So Right,” “Tennessee River,” “Mountain Music,” “Christmas in Dixie,” “Lady Down on Love,” “She’s Got That Look in Her Eyes” and more.
Courtesy of the CMA
Alabama was recently honored with a CMT Giants: Alabama TV special, featuring performances by Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Jamey Johnson, Jason Aldean, Little Big Town, Old Dominion and more. Owen and fellow Alabama member Teddy Gentry paid tribute to the thrid founding member, Jeff Cook, who passed away in 2022 from Parkinson’s disease.
“We miss our cousin,” Owen said during the concert. “I wish Jeff could be here tonight … Thanks for taking the time to acknowledge the blood, sweat and tears that we have been through. Me and Teddy have been through a lot together.”
Owen is known for his music, with a career spanning almost 50 years, not to mention his own solo career. But he is also known for his altruism, spending the last almost 35 years raising money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, with the Country Cares program. To date, Country Cares has raised more than $950 million for St. Jude, but Owen still has more he wants to do.
“My prayers have been to stick around to a billion,” Owen previously told Taste of Country. “I know a lot of people that were with us when we first started, we talk from time to time about the possibility of the $1 billion mark. I’ll be very thankful when that happens, and my wishes and my hopes are that there will be somebody else to go on and take it even further.”
The BMI Awards are not open to the public. Alabama has plenty of shows on the calendar for the remainder of the year. Find all of their music and upcoming shows at TheAlabamaBand.com.