Introduction
Teddy Gentry Reflects on a Lifetime of Friendship and Music with Jeff Cook
For Teddy Gentry, co-founder and bassist of the legendary band Alabama, music has always been about more than fame or chart-topping hits — it’s been about family, loyalty, and lifelong friendship. And no friendship ran deeper than the one he shared with fellow bandmate Jeff Cook.
In a recent interview, Gentry opened up with heartfelt honesty about the bond he shared with Jeff, who passed away in 2022 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. The two were more than just bandmates — they were like brothers, growing up together in small-town Fort Payne, Alabama, and building a dream that would eventually change the face of country music.
“Jeff was the spark,” Gentry said, his voice tinged with emotion. “He had this energy — on stage, in the studio, in life. He lit up every room he walked into.”
Gentry recalled the early days when Alabama was still just a group of guys playing cover songs at bars and local festivals. Jeff, with his signature guitar licks and playful stage presence, was always the one who brought the crowd to life. “We had no money, no connections — just a dream and each other,” Gentry said. “And Jeff never doubted for a second that we’d make it.”
As Alabama climbed the charts in the 1980s, the bond between the members only grew stronger. But it was offstage where Gentry and Cook shared their most cherished moments — hunting trips, late-night songwriting sessions, and quiet conversations about life, family, and faith.
“When Jeff got sick, it was hard to watch,” Gentry admitted. “But he never wanted pity. He just wanted to keep playing. That was who he was — strong, proud, and full of music until the very end.”
Now, every time Gentry steps on stage, there’s a part of Jeff with him. “I still hear his harmonies in my head,” he said. “And I still feel him beside me.”
For Teddy Gentry, the music lives on — but so does the memory of a friendship that lasted a lifetime.