Alabama Forced To Postpone Missouri Concert On Short Notice

Alabama was forced to unexpectedly postpone their upcoming Missouri concert, which was scheduled to take place on September 10.

The award-winning band took to social media on Thursday afternoon (Sept. 7) to share the unfortunate news with fans. 

“Due to the death of a close family friend, Alabama’s performance at Great Southern Bank Arena in Springfield, MO on September 10, 2023 has been postponed to Sunday, October 22, 2023. Thank you for understanding.”

Springfield, MO Concert Update

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The venue also confirmed the postponement of the show by sharing a “show update” on social media.

Now scheduled for October 22, the show was part of Alabama’s Roll On 2 North America Tour with special guest The Marshall Tucker Band.  

CMA Fest Surprise

Alabama recently made a surprise appearance at CMA Fest in Nashville where the nine-time CMA Award winners shared performances of “Mountain Music,” a medley of “Dixieland Delight” and “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.” 

CMA Pinnacle Award

During their set, the band was surprised with the CMA Pinnacle Award in a special presentation from CMA Fest co-host, Dierks Bentley. 

“They’ve had over 40 No. 1 songs, 75 million albums sold, three Entertainers of the Year, and the first band to ever play football stadiums,” Bentley said from the stage. “They’re the most successful band in country music. So, to recognize that achievement, we’re handing this out to Alabama tonight. This is the Pinnacle Award from the CMA.”

The remaining members of Alabama, Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry, appeared to be emotional as they embraced and accepted the award. 

“On behalf of our late cousin, Mr. Jeff Cook, who we recently lost, on behalf of me and Teddy, the whole Alabama gang, thank y’all for letting us play for ya for over 50 years. We love you,” Owen shared. 

Previous recipients of the CMA Pinnacle Award include Garth Brooks (2005), Taylor Swift (2013), and Kenny Chesney (2016).     

According to the Country Music Association, the Pinnacle Award recognizes an artist or group who has undeniably redefined the pinnacle of success in the genre by achieving prominence through concert performances, consumption numbers, record sales and/or other significant industry achievements at levels unique for Country Music. They have also attained the highest degree of recognition within the broad expanse of music worldwide, and their talent and presence will have a long-term positive impact on the appreciation of Country Music for generations to come.

The award comes several months after the passing of founding member and legendary guitarist Jeff Cook. 

Cook, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Musicians Hall of Fame, Fiddlers Hall of Fame and Gibson’s Guitarist of the Year, passed away on November 7, 2022 with his family and close friends by his side at his beach home in Destin, Florida. He was 73.

Legendary Band

With a humble start, Alabama members Jeff Cook, Teddy Gentry and Randy Owen left their jobs working in cotton fields in Fort Payne, Alabama to spend a summer playing songs at a bar in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina fifty years ago. Quickly earning a name for themselves in music, the group has since sold 80 million albums, put out forty-three No.1 singles – including twenty-one No.1 singles in a row – and have won dozens of CMA, GRAMMY, and ACM Awards.

Alabama’s next scheduled concert is set for Friday, September 8 at the Tri-State Rodeo in Fort Madison, IA.