Randy Owen, a popular singer from Alabama, experienced a scary moment when he was diagnosed with prostate ᴄᴀɴᴄᴇʀ. The first question that sprang to his head was, “How long do I have?” His bandmate, guitarist and fiddle player Jeff Cook, also realized he had the same type of ᴄᴀɴᴄᴇʀ. Teddy Gentry, the bass player, had a scare as well, but his test results came back normal after a month of waiting.
“It was such an eerie feeling,” Gentry remarked. “But the truth is, it could happen to any of us at any time. We have no control over it, and it’s absolutely terrifying.”
Alabama, the iconic country music group, will receive the Tony Martell Lifetime Entertainment Achievement Award during the T.J. Martell Foundation’s 11th annual Nashville Honors Gala. This honor from the top nonprofit that funds ᴄᴀɴᴄᴇʀ research has special significance for Alabama because every member of the group has been afflicted by ᴄᴀɴᴄᴇʀ. Additionally, Jeff Cook, who is now battling Parkinson’s ɪʟʟɴᴇss, will be in attendance.
“When I think of Alabama, I think of America. They have touched so many people in this country through their music and their wonderful beliefs in helping others,” said Laura Heatherly, CEO of the T.J. Martell Foundation. “We love to honor and recognize people who have made incredible contributions to our community, and Alabama has undoubtedly impacted communities across the country.”
Alabama, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2019, began a farewell tour in 2003. Surprisingly, they realized that their music continued to resonate with fans, resulting in a reunion in 2011 for Brad Paisley’s hit song “Old Alabama.” Since then, Alabama has continued to create songs and plans for the future.
During their sabbatical, Randy Owen and Jeff Cook were both diagnosed with ᴄᴀɴᴄᴇʀ. Fortunately, Cook trusted his medical team and believed their assurance that he would be fine. Owen, on the other hand, faced a more intense battle. When he asked his doctor about his life expectancy, he received a severe response.
“He told me, ‘I refuse to work with you as long as you have that attitude,’” Owen recalls. “I was taken aback and asked him what he meant. He said, ‘I’m the ship’s captain now, and together we’re going to beat this.’ Those words gave me strength.”
The singer’s doctor suggested he seek therapy in Mexico, where a high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) technique for ᴄᴀɴᴄᴇʀ is widely utilized. Unfortunately, this technique was unavailable in the United States. Owen flew to Mexico with his wife and doctor for therapy, which was successful. Nine years later, Owen is still ᴄᴀɴᴄᴇʀ-free.
Owen found the life-saving ᴛʀᴇᴀᴛᴍᴇɴᴛ in Mexico unsettling, but he believes he made the correct decision. He highlights the need of having open discussions regarding prostate ᴄᴀɴᴄᴇʀ, as well as frequent PSA tests. Owen encourages guys not to be ashamed or avoid receiving help. He reminds us that we are all human and prone to ᴅɪsᴇᴀsᴇ.
Owen’s dedication to ᴄᴀɴᴄᴇʀ research goes beyond his personal battle. As the founder of Country Cares for St. Jude Kids, he has contributed over $800 million to ᴄᴀɴᴄᴇʀ research at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis. Owen and his family were given a patient family room at the hospital in honor of his three decades of charitable work.
Although Owen’s health has considerably improved, Jeff Cook’s battle with Parkinson’s ᴅɪsᴇᴀsᴇ is ongoing. In 2017, the skilled multi-instrumentalist stated that he had been diagnosed four years prior and would no longer be able to tour regularly with Alabama.
Cook’s guitar-playing abilities improved as a result of stem cell therapy. He continues to receive ᴛʀᴇᴀᴛᴍᴇɴᴛ and performs when he feels good enough. His bandmates make sure that his equipment is always set up for him at concerts, so he may join in whenever he wants.
Cook’s speech is periodically impacted, but he stays upbeat and enthusiastic about playing guitar in the recording studio. In fact, he co-wrote the song “No Bad Days” for the band’s album “Southern Drawl,” which now has a different significance for him.
Despite their personal struggles, Alabama continues to inspire and touch the hearts of its listeners through their music. Their perseverance and dedication to raise awareness for cancer research and Parkinson’s ᴅɪsᴇᴀsᴇ serve as a reminder that we are all united in our struggles and triumphs.
