PROVIDENCE, RI | In the midst of a milestone tour celebrating 50 iconic years, country supergroup Alabama brought their “50th Anniversary Tour” to Providence, Rhode Island treating generations of fans to a night of pure Mountain Music.
Over the past 50 years, the band has fostered a long line of accomplishments. They have amassed a staggering 43 #1 hits at country radio and have sold over 73 million albums, earning 21 gold, platinum and multi-platinum certifications. They have released 50 albums and won 178 awards including three Grammy Awards and numerous CMA Awards. The band was also named ACM Entertainer of The Year an unprecedented 5 times in a row. They have sold over 28 million concert tickets and are proud members of The Country Music Hall of Fame.
Winning more than 200 industry awards, Alabama is the most celebrated group in country music history. In addition, they are world-class philanthropists who have raised millions of dollars for various charities.
That Alabama is the best-selling country band of all time means they may have some of the most dedicated fans of all time. Kevin Gilliam traveled from Lancaster, Mass., with his wife and friends to see the once in a lifetime show. Gilliam beamed, holding a bow given to him moments earlier by show opener Charlie Daniels, who he has seen five times, but the wait to see Alabama has been long.
“Believe it or not this is going to be my first and I’m so excited,” said Gilliam. “I’ve been working like 30 years, 12-13 hour days and never had a chance when they came to the area. So my wife and I saved up and I said for me this is bucket list, I’m going front row.”
“Honestly just being here is amazing because I’ve been a big fan since the late ’70s. I bought all of my cassettes—I mean every single one they came out with. When I was in college on my way back home, I stopped at a rest stop and in the meantime someone stole all them. I had to start all over again. But, I’m super excited, super stoked. I thought when they retired, because I was still working, I’d never get a chance to see them in concert. For me, I feel like I’m 20 years old again, for me this is hog heaven.”
With a roster of memorable songs, Alabama stuck to fan favorites on Friday night, opening the show hits that certainly transported fans out of New England and into the south, including “If You’re Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band),” Tennessee River;” and “High Cotton.”
The long tour has welcomed other familiar friends including The Charlie Daniels Band, The Marshall Tucker Band, The Oak Ridge Boys, Chris Janson, and Tracy Lawrence.
