Customer Reviews

Born Country: My Life in Alabama--How Faith, Family, and Music Brought Me Home

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I want to say first off I have been a big fan of Alabama ever since 1979 when I first heard 'My Home's In Alabama' so I had extremely high hopes for this book and I wasn't disappointed at all...as a matter a fact it's even better than I could have imagined.

The book starts out with Randy going for his morning drive around Lookout Mountain to start his day.....His and his daughter's dogs all go on this drive through the country with Randy describing the area and how beauiful it is and how much he loves it....From that first chapter you feel like you are going along for a ride with Randy and he is talking to you telling you his story...The book is written in such an easy fun style to read...It makes it very enjoyable...I read it in less than 2 days (for me that is pretty remarkable---never read a book of almost 300 pages that fast before )...I just couldn't put it down !

You will read so many things you never knew..... Like when you hear them sing about a place in one of their songs...you find it's a REAL place that they went to and wrote it into their songs....There is a line in one of their songs called 'Vacation'...Where he talks about going swimming in the Blue Hole...Come to find out in this book....there really is such a place...but you probably wouldn't know that if you didn't live up there....Another cool one is the song 'Ole Baugh Road' on the Southern Star album.....He really did grow up on Baugh Rd !

Liking Alabama as long as I have I feel like I was right there with them all these years and knew the guys (Randy, Teddy, Jeff and Mark) pretty well....but there are so many things that you don't know since they are all private people and don't want to be all over the news (that's a good thing !)....Anyway...some of the things you will remember right along with Randy and some will be brand new ! (For example---In the video 'Tar Top'....That is his son Heath riding the bicycle)...Growing up reading everything I could back then about Alabama...I didn't know that.

He also mentions Dale Earnhardt in here a couple of times (Dale is a big hero of mine) and I didn't know they had known each other since 1981...I knew they were good friends..but had no idea it was for such a long time.


Randy talks alot about his wife (Kelly) and his 3 kids (Alison, Heath and Randa)....His parents also play a huge role in the book.....St Jude's Childrens Hospital is also metioned obviously since it's such an important part of his life....I just can't see how the book could be any better...He intertwined his personal life with his life with the group Alabama so perfectly.....you really get to learn about the whole person...not just the singer.

Honestly I would recommend this book for anyone to read it's just a terrific book, period....but for fans of Alabama this is a must read !....All my friends are wanting copies after seeing mine and hearing me talk about it....Oh yeah I almost forgot...there are some wonderful pictures in it I had never seen before too !

A great inspirational read by someone who has been very high and very low!
I always loved Alabama and especially Randy, who seems to be the most sincere one.

A truly WONDERFUL WELL WORTH READ, this book had many tears from laughter to sad ones, Randy is an insperation to us all.
I've read it once but I can say it won't be the last makes you understand why he is such a great artist & an all round GOOD GUY.
Everyone should take the time to read it.
May the songs & music NEVER stop from Wonderful Guy.
Many more stories to come.

Randy Owen tells about his impoverished childhood, Alabama's "Overnight Sensation" that began 12 years prior, and modestly details several of the charitable causes for which he has donated his name, time, and talents.

I would have preferred more details about the Glory Years of the '80s, and Owen glosses over some circumstances where he and his bandmates disagreed. No dirty laundry in this book.

Bottom line: An honest story about a regular guy who made it big, remembers his roots, and cares for those in need.

From an early age as a young boy growing up on a farm in rural Mississippi, I listened to- and sang along...probably out of tune- to the music created by the group Alabama. Now as an adult having made my own "sweet home" in Oxford, Alabama for most of my adult life, and being a publisher and writer myself (in the magazine and book side...no songs,and you should thank me for that!)
I find myself still a fan of Randy Owen and all of the wonderful music he helped to create as part of Alabama.

As a fellow writer, I also admire his ability to tell a story in such a down-to-earth manner that the reader actually leaves this book feeling as if he or she really know Randy and the Owen family.

As if the string of hits and this wonderful book are not enough, I must say that Randy Owen (who I have heard and met on more than one occassion in media settings) also portrays a story of his own in living his life in such a way that he could be at the top of his profession for so many years yet stay so grounded as to make his home, not amoung the other elite or fame stricken, but instead right there, right with, the people who he considers "real", the common men, women, children and families who, despite massive levels of success, he has always considered himself a part of. This is a testament to this man perhaps more than any single feat he has achieved.

Randy is a true Southern story teller and the book is great. I recommend it as a must read for anyone who loves the music of Alabama, the south...and especially those of us who call Alabama our home.

Will Estell,
Author,
"Wisdom & Wisecracks For the Aspiring Business Owner"
Oxford, Alabama

A born, genuine, dyed in the wool, Christian musician Alabamian, I lived in Houma, LA for about 18 mos. and was there when I first heard "My Home's in Alabama"; I was hooked for life. I write poetry but have never found the ability to turn my poetry into song. When I realized that Randy had a significant hand in most of "Alabama's" songs I became curious as to his drive, inspiration, and motivation. His book is well worth the read. From his personal tragedies to triumphs, his heart is evident. Would recommend this book to anyone--"Alabama" fan or not. His story transcends musical groups, genres, and states.

Like some of the other reviewers, I am from Alabama and this book just made me more proud to claim that. I can relate to a lot of Randy's upbringing. I think I enjoyed reading of his early years the most because it came close to home. But I enjoyed the entire book emincely and I plan to give a copy to both my sisters as Christmas presents. I know they will laugh and cry and enjoy the book as much as I did.

I've waited a long time for a bio to come out about "Alabama". While this is more about Randy and his life, it is a great book. I am so glad he shared his life and family with us.

Very good book. I live in Alabama so this group is royalty here. I attend Church with a lady who is a personal friend of Randy Owens and he is genuine. Just an ole' country boy who made good and remembers where he came from; this book reflects his philosophy of being true to your heritage.

This is a must have for any Alabama fan!!! It is a great book. You will get to know Randy Owen in a diffrent way then how you see him as part of the group. It will make you laugh