On October 27, 1984, Alabama's “If You're Gonna Play in Texas” went to No. 1 on the Bulletin boardHot Country Songs Chart. The classic was co-written by Murry Kellum and Dan Mitchell and produced by the band and Harold Shedd.
Formed near Fort Payne, Ala., in the early '70s, Alabama was originally billed as Wildcountry, consisting of cousins Jeff Cook, Teddy Gentry and Randy Owen. They recruited drummer Mark Herndon in 1979.
Starting with No. 1 Alabama's 1980 Hot Country Songs, “Tennessee River” and through its signature turn on Brad Paisley's “Old Alabama” in 2011, the group amassed 33 leaders, including 51 top 10s, both the most among a duo /groups. Also starting with “Tennessee River,” Alabama hit a record 21 straight No. 1s (counting proper, nonseasonal singles) through 1987.
“We were looking for a song that would use violin,” “Texas” co-producer Shedd told Tom Roland's THE Bulletin board Book with the country's number one hits. “After 'Tennessee River' and [Alabama’s ninth No. 1, 1983’s] “Dixieland Delight,” became a trademark, so we wanted to do some of that stuff. If it works, you don't want to stray too far from it. You must touch your home base. [“Texas”] it was something we could put a violin on that wouldn't sound manufactured or contrived.”
“Texas” was released as the third of four singles—all of which topped the Hot Country Songs chart—from Alabama's eighth LP and fourth Top Country Albums No. 1, Roll On. It was followed by “Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler)” and “When We Make Love” and preceded by “(There's a) Fire in the Night”.
In 2015, South Draw, Alabama's first set of new music since 2001 peaked at No. 2 on Top Country Albums. It became the group's 26th top 10 set, a total that includes 11 No. 1s recorded between 1981 and 2006.
Alabama was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005. Cook died on November 8, 2022, at his home in Destin, Florida. He was 73. Currently on tour, the band makes its next stop in St. Augustine, Fla., on November 8.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/alabama-if-youre-gonna-play-in-texas-chart-rewind-1984-1235811019/
