Introduction
“This Is Where My Soul Is”: Randy Owen Opens Up About Life, Family, and Choosing the Mountain Over Nashville
Country legend Randy Owen, frontman of the iconic band Alabama, recently shared a rare and heartfelt glimpse into the choices that shaped his life—not as a superstar, but as a husband, father, and son of the land.
“I always wanted a family. Me and Kelly did,” Owen begins, speaking with quiet conviction. “We wanted to raise them here, on this mountain.” His voice carries the weight of years, not with regret, but with pride. Despite the immense success Alabama achieved, Randy made a deliberate choice to stay rooted in the place that shaped him.
That decision came at a cost—financially and professionally. “I wouldn’t even hazard a guess how many thousands of dollars I’ve lost by not living in Nashville,” he admits. “But I didn’t want to do it. I go there to work, but I can’t wait to get back down here.”
With a glint in his eye, Owen leads us through his farm—his tractors, his garden, and the cherished cultivator that once belonged to his father. “First time it was used was this year. It was such an emotional thing, plowing with Daddy’s cultivator.”
There’s a reverence in his tone when he talks about the land. “This is where my soul is. That air down in the canyon—it’s different. The trees are bigger, the fish are huge.” These aren’t just memories—they’re the roots of who he is.
He recalls the early days of fame, when fans would block his driveway just to catch a glimpse. “We had to build the house up the hill just to get some peace. But even with all that, this is where I belong.”
For Randy Owen, success never meant leaving behind what matters most. In choosing the mountain over Music Row, he chose peace over profit—and in doing so, kept his soul exactly where it belongs.