The wait is finally over.
In 2026, country music titans Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry—two of the founding pillars of the legendary band Alabama—are set to embark on a remarkable tour across their beloved home state. For longtime fans, this promises to be far more than a series of concerts; it will be a profound celebration of heritage, gratitude, and a lifetime of unforgettable music.
This tour represents a true homecoming. From Fort Payne, where their journey began, to the brand-new Coca-Cola Amphitheater in Birmingham, Randy and Teddy will return to the very places that shaped their lives and inspired the songs that made Alabama one of the most successful groups in country music history .
The Journey Back to the Roots
In 2026, two legends return not just to perform but to relive the soul of where it all began. This isn’t just music—it’s a journey back through dusty roads, quiet churches, and endless cotton fields where their dreams first took shape. From Fort Payne to Birmingham, from humble towns to grand stages, every note carries decades of memories that shaped a generation.
These are the roads they once traveled before the fame. The towns where family values, faith, and hard work became the foundation of their story. The landscapes of Alabama—its churches, fields, front porches, and small-town spirit—helped create the authenticity listeners heard in every note. Now, those roots will be honored once again .
A Headline Show to Remember
The tour’s crown jewel is a major concert set for May 9, 2026, at the state-of-the-art Coca-Cola Amphitheater in Birmingham . This will be a landmark event for multiple reasons:
-
A First for the Venue: It marks the first time Alabama has played at this stunning $46 million amphitheater, which opened in summer 2025 .
-
Special Guest: Joining them as the opening act is Grammy-nominated country star Jamey Johnson, an Alabama native whose raw, storytelling style perfectly complements the headliners .
-
Accessible Tickets: Tickets are priced to be accessible for all, ranging from $39.50 to $99.50, going on sale to the public on Friday, January 23 .
This is more than just another stop on the tour—it is a full-circle moment in the state’s largest city, reconnecting the band’s legacy with a new generation of fans.
The Weight of a Promise: Honoring Jeff Cook
While this tour is a celebration, it is also a poignant tribute. The band’s journey has been marked by loss, specifically the passing of their beloved cousin and third founding member, Jeff Cook, in November 2022 after a battle with Parkinson’s disease .
Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry have carried forward the spirit of their bandmate, and as CMT Giants: Alabama highlighted, Jeff’s presence is still profoundly felt . In a powerful testament to their bond, Owen reportedly fulfilled a promise made to Cook before his death. During the 2026 tour’s stop in Fort Payne, they finally performed a song that Cook had always wanted the world to hear—a track they had never finished together. Owen’s voice reportedly cracked on the last verse, and Gentry couldn’t look at the empty spot on stage . It is a story of loyalty and music that hits harder than any chart-topping milestone.
A Legacy of Timeless Classics
Fans can expect timeless classics that have become woven into generations of memories. Songs such as Mountain Music, Song of the South, Feels So Right, and Dixieland Delight continue to resonate with audiences of all ages, carrying themes of love, home, pride, and enduring connection .
Notably, “Mountain Music,” a track that melds Southern rock and bluegrass, took Randy Owen three years to write. He wanted to put his childhood experiences into a song, creating a piece that practically defined what country groups strived to accomplish .
Honoring History in Fort Payne
For fans looking to fully immerse themselves in the experience, Fort Payne is a pilgrimage site. The Alabama Fan Club and Museum turns the story of the hometown heroes into a hands-on music history lesson . Visitors can wander past gleaming awards, framed photos, stage-worn costumes, and vintage instruments, and feel a real connection to the band’s rise from small-town gigs to Country Music Hall of Fame legend status .
Outside the museum, you can snap a selfie with the band’s statues in City Park—a local rite of passage—and explore the quaint shops against the scenic backdrop of Lookout Mountain . A “hometown” show here in 2026 felt bigger than a concert. It felt like a circle closing .
The Verdict
This tour is about more than nostalgia. It is about legacy. It is a tribute to the people who supported them from the beginning. It is a thank-you to the communities that believed in them before the world knew their names. And it is a chance for fans to celebrate music that has stood the test of time.
For Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry, returning to Alabama is not simply a performance schedule—it is a deeply personal journey through the places that made everything possible.
Some tours entertain. Some tours inspire. And some tours remind us where greatness comes from. In 2026, Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry’s Alabama homecoming tour promises to do all three.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this unforgettable experience. Tickets for the Birmingham show go on sale Friday, January 23, at 10 a.m. CT.