https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/08/entertainment/jeff-cook-alabama-obit/index.html

Alabama (the band) seldom get the credit they deserve for "changing" Country music and moving it toward "modern" and a broader audience...

Sad to hear of his passing. I had contact with the band members a few times while they were in the Myrtle Beach area. I was a friend of their original drummer, the late Tommy Hucks. His widow, also a friend, posted some old photos on FB upon hearing about Jeff's death. A lady from the church I attended at the time was the person that referred Mark Herndon as Tommy's replacement. When they released their first album, they sat in the Sears store signing and selling copies.

They had a nice slick sound. Good harmonies. Just a good band with some good songwriting. Although they had been around for a while (started in late 60's 1969) under their old name they shot to the top around the same time as Urban Cowboy movement started following the movie in 1980. I think they changed their name from Wild Country to Alabama in 1977. Started having some success but had number one hits after 1980. A bunch, like 20 something hits.