He met the first—songwriter and musician, Tom Hambridge—in a Toronto diner. He meets two more on Sunday as he sings the National Anthem at the Indy Grand Prix in Birmingham, AL—basketball legend Charles Barkley and country music superstar, Randy Owens, of the legendary band, “Alabama.” Charles Barkley will be Grand Marshall of the motorsports event and Randy Owens will perform the most-loved song in the Southern state, “My Home’s in Alabama.”
On Twitter: “@TaylorRHicks: Met Tom Hambridge-Legendary Producer, writer of 19, in Toronto diner. He is with Buddy Guy tonight. Cool. Fri 09 Apr 13:26 via txt”
Tom Hambridge is a renouned Nashville songwriter and musician, and composer of “19,” the emotional song recorded by Taylor on his album, “The Distance.” Hambridge is an ASCAP Award-winning, three-time Grammy nominated producer, singer songwriter and drummer.
“Tom’s compositions have been recorded by musical greats including: Buddy Guy, Lynyrd Skynyrd, George Thorogood, Taylor Hicks, Rodney Atkins, Van Zant, NRBQ, Shemekia Copeland, Susan Tedeschi, Joe Nichols, Montgomery Gentry, Delbert McClinton, Keith Anderson, Billy Ray Cyrus and many others! Also a very active solo artist, Tom has released four critically acclaimed CD’s and been featured on the Disney soundtracks of 'Cars' and 'Rattattoui.'" (http://www.hambridgetunes.com/)
Charles Barkley is an outspoken basketball legend.
I was there for the glorious days in the 1990s of the Phoenix Suns with Superstar Barkley. I was also there when Charles spoke at the opening of a new Boys & Girls Club. He came in like a rock star. He was. I remember what he said about role models.
He said he wasn’t one.
He said it was the parents who should be the role models. I don’t think he was avoiding the role of responsible behavior. I think he was rightfully placing it where it first belongs—on parents.
Charles is never at a loss for words. He and Taylor banter back and forth when they meet. They have even discussed Charles running for Governor of Alabama with Taylor as his Lt. Governor. (Seriously?) I expect we will see some good natured exchanges somewhere this weekend.
Charles was standing at the side of the stage at Taylor’s concert Saturday night at WorkPlay in Birmingham, September, 2009.
“My Home’s in Alabama” is an Alabama anthem.
It was the song with which Taylor won his high school talent contest. It was the song his band “Passing Through” sang when Supernaw invited them up on stage. It brought down the house. (“Heart Full of Soul” by Taylor Hicks)
It was the song that Taylor sang in Birmingham, 2007, at the Alabama Theatre on his first solo tour that is etched in the hearts of everyone who was there.
Randy Owens, the lead singer of the legendary band, “Alabama” will do the high honors Sunday.
“In 1980, the band, now called Alabama, quickly reached country superstardom. For the next twenty-two years, Alabama had a tremendous impact on country music, attracting a younger group of listeners, crossing over into pop radio, and paving the way for groups to be successful on country radio."
“Alabama released 21 gold, platinum, and multi-platinum albums, had 42 No. One singles, and sold a total of over 73 million records.” When the band retired in 2002, Randy Owens continued a highly successful solo career.
Owens lives on his own cattle ranch outside Fort Payne, AL, and is a heavy supporter of humanitarian efforts such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital establishing “Country Cares for St. Jude Kids.” Owens, and his wife Kelly Owen, were the primary benefactors for the construction of the Kelly Owen Women's and Children's Pavilion at DeKalb Regional Medical Center in Fort Payne.
I’m told that Randy is a very nice guy. A legend in music is even larger in living life—making a difference where it counts.
With Charles, Randy, and favorite son, Taylor Hicks, Alabama is doing all right this weekend.
No wonder they sing with much pride:
“My home’s in Alabama.”
Start celebrating, Alabama! Let’s go racing!
For more information about Alabama’s race weekend, visit Taylor’s MySpace page:
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=55986260&blogId=532197741
Sources:
Randy Owens: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Owen
Tom Hambridge: http://hambridgetunes.com/
Taylor Hicks: “Heart Full of Soul” by Taylor Hicks http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=55986260&blogId=532197741
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