[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 21]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 31259]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



         HONORING OF THE CAREER AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF RANDY OWEN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT B. ADERHOLT

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 18, 1999

  Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, I believe that it is fitting that we pay 
tribute to a great American, who has made outstanding contributions to 
our nation, and its culture. He is an artist; he is a musician; he is a 
father; he is a husband; he is a great man who has lived his life based 
on principle, and has been a strong and beautiful voice from a mountain 
top, not only in Alabama, but all across this nation, and all over the 
world.
  Randy Yeuell Owen was born in Fort Payne, Alabama, on December 13, 
1949. He and his two sisters were raised in a close-knit family near 
Lookout Mountain in DeKalb County, Alabama. As a child, Randy, along 
with his two young sisters, grew up in the rural South working in the 
fields and picking cotton. Times were hard and there was no money left 
for entertainment after the bills were paid, so the family spent much 
of their time singing and playing gospel music. This family 
entertainment led to the formation of his first band, ``The Singing 
Owens.'' By the time that Randy entered the fifth grade, he along with 
his cousin, Teddy Gentry, decided to pursue a career in country music.
  During the early struggling years of the band, Randy took odd jobs 
laying brick and hanging sheetrock, while also attending college. In 
1973, Randy received a Bachelor of Arts in English from Jacksonville 
State University. That same year, Randy, along with his cousins Teddy 
Gentry and Jeff Cook, decided to devote themselves entirely to their 
dream. In the next seven years, Randy, Teddy, and Jeff along with 
various drummers, performed as a group in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. 
It was during these years that he met and courted his wife, Kelly--
someone who has stood strongy by Randy through his entire career. 
Kelly's father, who was stationed near Myrtle Beach, was soon 
transferred abroad, and Randy and Kelly's relationship continued 
through correspondence.
  In 1980, with drummer Mark Herndon on board, the band's debut album, 
``My Home's In Alabama,'' was released by RCA and every song from it 
became a #1 hit. In 1981, ``Alabama'' was named Top Vocal Group of the 
Year by the Country Music Association. As the years followed, so did 
the awards--200 major music awards were bestowed upon the group over 
the next 15 years.
  The most well-known of Randy's charity events, June Jam, is by no 
means the only charitable cause with which Randy has been involved. He 
serves as the Celebrity Spokesman for the Alabama Sheriff's Boys and 
Girls Ranches. He has received the Tamer Award, which is the highest 
award given for service to St. Jude Hospital on a national level. 
Currently, he serves as the Spokesperson for the St. Jude's Country 
Cares Radiothon, raising millions for the Research Hospital.
  While Randy has traveled all over the world, and performed all across 
the United States, as well as abroad, he has never forgotten his 
community, and his home State, Alabama. Randy resides with his wife 
Kelly, and three children who have supported their Dad all the way--
Alison, Heath and Randa, near Fort Payne, Alabama, which I am proud to 
represent in the Fourth Congressional District.
  With all the honors that have been bestowed over the years, one of 
the most significant awards came to Randy in 1999, when he was awarded 
the Alabama Father of the Year by the Alabama Cattlewomen. He says his 
long range goals are ``to help my family achieve a gentle way of living 
and to be known as friendly to the fans and have a good reputation from 
fellow musicians.''
  The profound impact that Randy Owen has had on our State, our Nation, 
and American culture cannot be measured. On behalf of my colleagues, I 
express our gratitude to Randy Owen, and wish him many, many more 
years.

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