(audience applauding) - How about it, Jacksonville?

(audience cheering) Y'all ready to have some fun tonight?

(audience murmuring) My name is Bill "Bubba" Bussey from the Rick and Bubba Show.

Glad to be hosting tonight.

Hope everybody's ready for a big night of entertainment.

So good to be back here on the campus at Jacksonville State University in the Stone Center.

As a matter of fact, I failed my first English class in this very building.

(audience laughing) So, you know, it's touching to be back here again tonight.

Let's get things started.

Please welcome to the stage Dr. Gordon Mote.

(audience cheering) Folks, we're very blessed with what we're gonna see tonight here on stage.

Please welcome country music legend Randy Owen.

(audience cheering) Come on out, Randy.

Also welcome rising star and will be a country legend, Jamey Johnson.

(audience cheering) This is like "The Price is Right."

Come on down.

(energetic music) There he is.

Come on out here, Jamie.

Also welcome former Golden Eagle, former Gamecock Riley Green.

(audience cheering) I'm gonna turn it over to these country music professionals.

(audience cheering) - I wasn't expecting to get brought out last, I thought the...

I'm glad I got to be the grand finale tonight.

I appreciate that.

Y'all get up for this bunch, for taking time outta their schedule to come over here and play.

This is awesome, man.

Randy Owen and Jamey Johnson right here.

Two legends of country music.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) I always feel a lot like they let me sneak in the back door when I get to come to these things with y'all.

So thank y'all so much for letting me be up here with you.

(guitar strumming) (audience applauding) I guess I'll start it off then.

(guitar strumming) Alright, yeah, I'll do it.

I wrote this song right here during COVID.

I was thinking about all the things I learned in this town and a lot of mistakes taught me a lot of lessons.

And some of 'em are true and some of 'em are really true.

I can remember playing this song from my mom and she found out about a lot of things she didn't know about from this one.

But it's a song I wrote called, "That's What I've Been told."

(soft music) ♪ A Chevy grille ain't no match for a mailbox ♪ ♪ BB guns are good for breakin' glass ♪ ♪ You can buy beer at seventeen ♪ ♪ You don't have to lie if they don't ask ♪ ♪ And girls don't like a kiss that tastes like Skoal ♪ ♪ Least that's what I've been told ♪ ♪ They'll put your ass in jail for stealin' stop signs ♪ ♪ The biggest dog don't win in every fight ♪ ♪ Don't make a bet you can't afford to lose ♪ ♪ Don't jump off that river bridge at night ♪ ♪ And there's roads where even Broncos shouldn't go ♪ ♪ At least that what I've been told ♪ ♪ If you're just sayin' prayers, then you ain't prayin' ♪ ♪ If both men ain't shook hands, then it ain't sold ♪ ♪ When Daddy don't say nothin', you better listen ♪ ♪ 'Cause he won't be here for long ♪ ♪ And that girl ain't comin' back if you let her go ♪ ♪ At least that's what I've been told ♪ ♪ You better buy your weekend beer before a Sunday ♪ ♪ Don't lay out all night before a game ♪ ♪ Don't let grandpa's Gibson go ♪ ♪ Diesel trucks won't run on gasoline ♪ ♪ You better never love a girl that your mama don't ♪ ♪ Least that what I've been told ♪ ♪ If you're just sayin' prayers, then you ain't prayin' ♪ ♪ If both men ain't shook hands, then it ain't sold ♪ ♪ When Daddy don't say nothin', you better listen ♪ ♪ 'Cause he won't be here for long ♪ ♪ And that girl ain't comin' back if you let her go ♪ ♪ At least that's what I've been told ♪ ♪ You better tell that girl that she's everything you want ♪ ♪ 'Cause you're gonna wish you did if you don't ♪ ♪ If you're just sayin' prayers, then you ain't prayin' ♪ ♪ If both men ain't shook hands, then it ain't sold ♪ ♪ When Daddy don't say nothin', you better listen ♪ ♪ 'Cause he won't be here for long ♪ ♪ And that girl ain't comin' back if you let her go ♪ ♪ At least that's what I've been told, oh ♪ ♪ A Chevy grille ain't no match for a mailbox ♪ ♪ BB guns are good for breakin' glass ♪ ♪ You can buy beer at seventeen ♪ ♪ You don't have to lie if they don't ask ♪ (audience applauding) Thank you.

Alright, what y'all gonna do now, man?

(audience chuckling) I do wonder, just curious, is it tough when you got as many hits as y'all do?

Decide how many you're going to play or what you're going to play.

It's hard, ain't it?

(audience laughing) It's easy for me.

(audience laughing) Don't nobody care what I play.

- I'm gonna make you go last.

(audience laughing) (laughing) Y'all, the only reason I ever came to this little town in the first place was that one right there.

Randy Owen.

(audience laughing) (audience applauding) I knew from the time I was a youngin that you went to Jacksonville State University and you was an English major.

I got one of 'em old books from June Jam my mama bought.

And so I had to get really good at something to get a scholarship.

So... (audience laughing) So I studied music and music got me a full ride.

I played a French horn back then.

(audience laughing) I paid tuition.

(audience laughing) I don't have one tonight and none of y'all better either.

(audience laughing) (mellow guitar music) ♪ I was just a normal guy, life was just a nine to five ♪ ♪ With bills and pressure, piled up to the sky ♪ ♪ She never asked, she knew I'd been ♪ ♪ Hangin' with my wilder friends ♪ ♪ Lookin' for some other way to fly ♪ ♪ Three days straight was no big feat ♪ ♪ Could get by on no food or sleep ♪ ♪ And crazy was becomin' my new norm ♪ ♪ I'd pass out on the bedroom floor ♪ ♪ And sleep right through the calm before the storm ♪ ♪ My life was just an old routine ♪ ♪ Every day the same damn thing ♪ ♪ I couldn't even tell I was alive ♪ ♪ I tell you, the high cost of livin' ♪ ♪ Ain't nothin' like the cost of livin' high ♪ ♪ That Southern Baptist parkin' lot ♪ ♪ Was where I'd go to smoke my pot ♪ ♪ An' sit there in my pickup truck and pray ♪ ♪ Starin' at that giant cross ♪ ♪ Just reminded me that I was lost ♪ ♪ And it just never seemed to point the way ♪ ♪ As soon as Jesus turned his back ♪ ♪ I'd find my way across the tracks ♪ ♪ Lookin' just to score another deal ♪ ♪ With my back against that damn eightball ♪ ♪ I didn't have to think or talk, or feel ♪ ♪ My life was just an old routine ♪ ♪ Every day the same damn thing ♪ ♪ I couldn't even tell I was alive ♪ ♪ The high cost of livin' ♪ ♪ Ain't nothin' like the cost of livin' high ♪ ♪ My whole life went through my head ♪ ♪ Layin' in that motel bed ♪ ♪ Watchin' as the cops kicked in the door ♪ ♪ I had a job and a piece of land ♪ ♪ My sweet wife was my best friend ♪ ♪ But I traded that for cocaine and a whore ♪ ♪ My whole life ♪ ♪ I've got the time to sit and think ♪ ♪ Of all the things I had, and threw away ♪ ♪ This prison is much colder than ♪ ♪ That one that I was locked up in just yesterday ♪ ♪ My life is just an old routine ♪ ♪ Every day the same damn thing ♪ ♪ Hell I can't even tell I was alive ♪ ♪ The high cost of livin' ♪ ♪ Ain't nothin' like the cost of livin' high ♪ ♪ The high cost of livin' ♪ ♪ It ain't nothin' like the cost of livin' high ♪ (audience applauding) (audience cheering) (Jamey laughing) - Ah, well, it's gonna be different.

(audience laughing) I selected a song that well, after we'd had a little bit of success, the RCA Records folks told us we had to make a Christmas record and it really pissed us off.

(all laughing) We were like, "You mean we've gotten to the point "where we gotta have a Christmas record?"

And they was like, "Yeah, you do."

They said, "It'll sell a lot of records."

So finally one of the guys thought, and he said, "Elvis did a Christmas record."

Oh, Elvis did a Christmas record.

I guess it must be all right then.

(all laughing) So we said, "If we're gonna do a Christmas record, "we're gonna write the song."

So I had this idea.

I said, I told the guys, I said, "Where are we right now?"

And they said, we're on "Lookout Mountain."

No, where are we?

Alabama.

Well no more specifically, or maybe not as specific.

We're in Dixie.

(audience cheering) So I said, "I have this idea about Christmas and Dixie."

And then Teddy says, "Well, it's snowing in the pines."

(audience laughing) And then Jeff says, "Well Merry Christmas from Dixie then."

And we liked "to everyone tonight".

We had no idea in protests that we would get on Lookout Mountain in Jeff's house, turn the air conditioner down to 69 degrees on the fourth day of July... (audience laughing) We did.

And pretend that it was snowing on Lookout Mountain.

(audience laughing) So I said, "I have this idea too on how to start the song."

So Kebo, you know that little dribble I did?

(gentle music) That's it!

(audience applauding) ♪ By now in New York City, there's snow on the ground ♪ ♪ Out in California, the sunshine's falling down ♪ ♪ And maybe down in Memphis ♪ ♪ Graceland's all in lights ♪ ♪ And in Atlanta, Georgia ♪ ♪ There's peace on earth tonight ♪ ♪ Christmas in Dixie ♪ ♪ It's snowing in the pines ♪ ♪ Merry Christmas from Dixie to everyone tonight ♪ Gordon Mote!

Megan Mullins Owen.

(audience applauding) ♪ It's windy in Chicago, the kids are out of school ♪ ♪ Magic in Motown, the city's on the move ♪ ♪ In Jackson, Mississippi ♪ ♪ to Charlotte, Caroline ♪ ♪ And all across the nation ♪ ♪ It's a peaceful Christmas time ♪ ♪ Christmas in Dixie, it's snowing in the pines ♪ ♪ Merry Christmas from Dixie ♪ ♪ to everyone tonight ♪ ♪ And from Fort Payne, Alabama ♪ (audience laughing) Y'all sing it, come on!

♪ Merry Christmas tonight ♪ There you go, that's great!

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Let's create our own.

- [Audience Member] Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas!

- Yeah.

- I think we should have rethought this order.

(audience laughing) If y'all need something to drink, go ahead and go get it.

(guitar strumming) So I wrote a song, I was born and raised in Jacksonville, Alabama.

And I wrote a song about where I grew up and it was a big start of my career this song was and helped me get where I am today.

It's funny 'cause people will tell me that they play this song at funerals a lot.

But when I wrote it, I was thinking about that movie "Weekend at Bernie's."

Y'all remember that movie?

- [Audience Member] Yeah!

- When I was just thinking if I was to die at an early age, I wish my buddies would just put sunglasses on me and take me to all these places like Toomer's Corner in Tuscaloosa and the Floribama and Talladega and you know, just have drinks on my tab.

And so anyway, I wrote it kinda as a joke, but it became a very serious song and definitely helped me out quite a bit.

Song's called "Bury Me in Dixie."

(soft music) ♪ Mount Cheaha is my Everest, and the Coosa is my Nile ♪ ♪ Alabama's where I was born and raised ♪ ♪ And I think I'll stay awhile ♪ ♪ We sing about sweet home, and Dixieland Delight ♪ ♪ We tell stories about what goes on ♪ ♪ in Montgomery at midnight ♪ ♪ 'Cause music row ain't only in Tennessee ♪ ♪ Won't you bury me in Dixie ♪ ♪ Beneath these Alabama pines ♪ ♪ Take me to Tuscaloosa, plant me under the fifty-yard line ♪ ♪ Put me in an old truck, a four-door Chevrolet ♪ ♪ Drive me down to Guntersville and park me by the lake ♪ (audience cheering) ♪ Or take me to Toomer's Corner, put me under an oak tree ♪ ♪ Give 'em toilet paper 'til they mummify me ♪ ♪ I'll rest in peace if they bury me in Dixie ♪ ♪ Well, lay me beside my daddy, and my grandpa just the same ♪ ♪ I want every headstone next to me to read my last name ♪ ♪ Take me back to Jacksonville, drive me up Mountain Street ♪ ♪ Lead me into old Paul Snow and show me to my seat ♪ ♪ When God decides it's time for us to meet ♪ ♪ Won't you bury me in Dixie ♪ ♪ Where hard work is a plow ♪ ♪ I wish Robert E. Lee could come back and take a bow ♪ ♪ Or take me to the Flora-Bama ♪ ♪ and set me up at the mullet toss ♪ ♪ Everybody drinks on me, I don't care what it cost ♪ ♪ Or take me to Talladega, spread my ashes in turn three ♪ ♪ Paint my casket black with a big ass number three ♪ ♪ I'll rest in peace, if they bury me in Dixie ♪ Raise hell, praise Dale.

(audience cheering) Play it, do it again, that's just what this song was missing, was some fiddle.

(music continues) ♪ Won't God bless Alabama from sea to Tennessee ♪ ♪ I'll rest in peace, if they bury me in Dixie ♪ (audience applauding) (audience cheering) Yeah, yeah, go ahead Jamie.

(audience laughing) - I ain't done a show in so long.

I forgot things they used to do every night.

- [Riley] Is that what this is?

- This is more of a living room.

(audience laughing) ♪ That morning the sun made its way ♪ ♪ Through the windshield of my Chevrolet ♪ ♪ Whiskey eyes and ashtray breath ♪ ♪ On a chert rock gravel road ♪ (subdued bluesy music) ♪ What the hell did I do last night ♪ ♪ That's the story of my life ♪ ♪ Like tryin' to remember words ♪ ♪ To a song nobody wrote ♪ ♪ And it's sad and it's long ♪ ♪ And can't nobody sing along ♪ ♪ It's a southbound train ♪ ♪ It's a whistle in the wind ♪ ♪ No one there to care where I been ♪ ♪ I'm humming on that lonesome song again ♪ (music speeds up) ♪ Took a trip across the country, from Montgomery ♪ ♪ Discovered I'd been wrong for so long ♪ ♪ 'Cause I thought it was the fame and the glory ♪ ♪ And the money ♪ ♪ But all I got to show is a damn song ♪ ♪ And it's sad and it's long ♪ ♪ And can't nobody sing along ♪ ♪ It's a southbound train ♪ ♪ It's a whistle in the wind ♪ ♪ Ain't no one there to sing to and then ♪ ♪ I'm humming on that lonesome song again ♪ ♪ Well it's sad and its long ♪ ♪ And can't nobody sing along ♪ ♪ It's a southbound train ♪ ♪ It's a whistle in the wind ♪ ♪ Ain't no one there to care where I've been ♪ ♪ I'm humming on that lonesome song again ♪ (band humming) ♪ That morning the sun made its way ♪ ♪ Through the windshield of my Chevrolet ♪ ♪ Whiskey eyes and ashtray breath ♪ ♪ On a chert rock gravel road ♪ (audience applauding) (audience cheering) - When I first went to Nashville, I had no idea.

Of course, I didn't know anybody, didn't know anything much except I like music.

And they told me there's four or five ladies I need to get to know.

One was Francis Preston at BMI, Joe Walker Meadow with the Country Music Association, Donna Healy with a publishing company and Helen Farmer.

Well, I went in to meet the ladies that day and signed with BMI.

So over the years, we were very fortunate.

And that lady that I signed with Francis Preston at BMI, was the lady that put the medallion around my neck when I went into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) So she called me one day, and this is in the early '80s.

Remind you that I had no idea that you could make money writing songs.

Not the foggiest idea.

She called me, she said, "This is Francis Preston."

And I said, "Yes ma'am."

She said, "Do you need some money?"

"Yeah."

(audience laughing) "Yeah."

She said, "I can forward you quite a bit "of money if you'd like some money."

And I said, "I would like some money."

(audience laughing) She said, "If I were to forward you "or advance you some money, what would you do with it?"

And I said, "Well, my wife and I are living "in a three room house that I bought for my daddy for $800.

"And I always had a dream of building my wife a new house."

She said, "What kind of house?"

I said, "A big house."

She said, "I think I can advance you enough "to build your wife a big house."

(audience laughing) And this next song is one of the reasons why that she could do that.

Anyway, thank y'all for this song.

(audience laughing) (soft music) Many children have been born because people chose to listen to this song, (audience laughing) (audience cheering) ♪ Whisper to me softly ♪ ♪ Breathe words upon my skin ♪ ♪ No one's near and listening ♪ ♪ So please don't say goodbye ♪ ♪ Just hold me close and love me ♪ ♪ Press your lips to mine ♪ (band humming) ♪ Feels so right ♪ (audience cheering) ♪ Feels so right ♪ ♪ Lying here beside you ♪ ♪ I hear the echoes of your sighs ♪ ♪ Promise me you'll stay with me ♪ ♪ And keep me warm tonight ♪ ♪ So hold me close and love me ♪ ♪ Give my heart a smile ♪ (band humming) ♪ Feels so right, feels so right ♪ Oh you gonna modulate, all right.

♪ Your body feels so gentle ♪ ♪ And my passion rises high ♪ ♪ You're loving me so easy ♪ ♪ Your wish is my command ♪ ♪ Just hold me close and love me ♪ ♪ Tell me it won't end ♪ (band humming) ♪ Feels so right, feels so right ♪ ♪ Feels so right ♪ Okay, bring it down now.

The one thing I learned about that song is the "uh-uh," (audience laughing) was really important to people that bought that record.

(audience laughing) As a matter of fact, it seemed like it might be even more important than anything in the song.

- [Band Member] Than the press your lips?

(audience laughing) So tonight at this wonderful, incredible gathering, isn't this an incredible night?

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) So tonight we're going to do the uh-uh together.

Okay?

(audience laughing) ♪ Just hold me close and love me ♪ ♪ Tell it won't end ♪ (all humming) ♪ Feels so right ♪ Thank you very much.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) - Great job, y'all having fun?

Let's hear it.

(audience cheering) Are you having fun?

(audience cheering) Alright, these piano keys have cooled off over here.

Let's go Gordon, your time.

Let's do it.

(Gordon laughing) - I love love songs.

So I'm gonna sing one.

This is a song I wrote about my bride who is here with me tonight.

We've been married 31 years (audience cheering) and before the night is over, if I'm a good boy, she might come up and sing with me on a song.

So this is a song I wrote a few years back and people come by and they would say to me, Kimberly is so beautiful, I wish you could see her.

- [Audience Member] Aww.

- And so I wrote this song so that I could explain to the world just how I do see Kimberly.

So here's the song.

(gentle music) ♪ Everyone tells me how beautiful you are ♪ ♪ And what a lucky man I am ♪ ♪ Although they all can see the way you look at me ♪ ♪ They don't see it like I can ♪ ♪ If they could see you through my eyes ♪ ♪ They'd know where the real beauty lies ♪ ♪ Deep inside your heart ♪ ♪ Who you really are ♪ ♪ If they could see you through my eyes ♪ ♪ Only I have to do is gently touch your face ♪ ♪ And baby, I can tell so much ♪ ♪ And though I'll never see the way you look at me ♪ ♪ I know I'm the lucky one ♪ ♪ If they could see you through my eyes ♪ ♪ They'd know where the real beauty lies ♪ ♪ Deep inside your heart ♪ ♪ Who you really are ♪ ♪ If they could see you through my eyes ♪ ♪ In the quiet of night ♪ ♪ When I hold you close ♪ ♪ I can feel how bright you shine ♪ ♪ If they could see you through my eyes ♪ ♪ They'd know where the real beauty lies ♪ ♪ Deep inside your heart ♪ ♪ Who you really are ♪ ♪ If they could see you through my eyes ♪ ♪ If they could see you through my eyes ♪ (audience applauding) (audience cheering) ♪ Yeah ♪ Thank you.

Thank you folks.

Thank you.

- Alright.

(audience laughing) Here we go again.

Play y'all a song.

I wrote about my granddaddy Lyndon.

He was a big fan of three things.

He loved Alabama football (audience cheering) and bass fishing and my grandmother.

(gentle music) He was a very, very simple guy in the sense of it didn't take a lot for him to get excited.

He was one of them, he got more excited about leftovers than anybody I've ever seen on the planet.

(audience laughing) It was almost like he was excited about 'em while we were eating the meal.

You know, like he was like, "Well, this'll be good later."

And I loved his outlook on life, I hope I can take with me.

I knew if he was to leave this world either watching Alabama play or fishing on Weiss Lake or sitting in a carport with my grandmother, he'd have been a happy man.

So I wrote this song about him.

It's called "A Hell of a Way to Go."

(mellow music) ♪ Me and him was beatin' them banks ♪ ♪ Talkin' life and death, Fords and Chevrolets ♪ ♪ Said, "Son, we got it made" ♪ ♪ "Got a live well full, little sunshine, a little shade" ♪ ♪ I ain't ready to go today ♪ ♪ But when my time comes and if I had it my way ♪ ♪ I'd be sittin' on a lake like glass ♪ ♪ Catchin' Largemouth Bass ♪ ♪ Just my boy and me ♪ ♪ Or maybe on a fifty-yard line ♪ ♪ Watchin' Alabama beat the hell out of Tennessee ♪ ♪ Or maybe on a front porch swing ♪ ♪ Somethin' cold to drink, your momma's hand to hold ♪ ♪ And a song on a radio, would be a hell of a way to go ♪ ♪ I remember thinkin' that day ♪ ♪ I couldn't picture him goin' any other way ♪ ♪ Some day when I get old ♪ ♪ I can only hope, when the good Lord calls me home ♪ ♪ I'd be sittin' on a lake like glass ♪ ♪ Catchin' Largemouth Bass ♪ ♪ Just my boy and me ♪ ♪ Or maybe on a fifty-yard line ♪ ♪ Watchin' Alabama beat the hell out of Tennessee ♪ ♪ Or maybe on a front porch swing ♪ ♪ Somethin' cold to drink, mama's hand to hold ♪ ♪ A song on a radio, would be a hell of a way to go ♪ ♪ That would be a hell of a way to go ♪ ♪ No, he wasn't out fishin' on the day he died ♪ ♪ But I bet about the time he closed his eyes ♪ ♪ He was sittin' on a lake like glass ♪ ♪ Catchin' Largemouth Bass ♪ ♪ Just awaitin' on me ♪ ♪ Or maybe on a fifty-yard line ♪ ♪ Watchin' Alabama beat the hell out of Tennessee ♪ ♪ Or maybe on a front porch swing ♪ ♪ Somethin' cold to drink, mama's hand to hold ♪ ♪ And a song on a radio, that would be a hell of a way to go ♪ ♪ Yeah, that would be a hell of a way to go ♪ (audience cheering) (audience applauding) Thank you.

And I did manage to write that song on the one year that Tennessee beat Alabama in the last decade.

So that was great for me.

(audience laughing) They really loved that song in Nissan Stadium this year, I'll tell you, - Yeah, I thought it was pretty.

- Thanks man.

(audience laughing) (bluesy music) ♪ She was stormin' through the house that day ♪ (audience whooping) ♪ I could tell she was leavin' ♪ ♪ And I thought, "Aw, she'll be back" ♪ ♪ So I told her to grab me a six-pack while she was out ♪ - [Audience Member] Yeah!

(audience cheering) ♪ 'Til she turned around and pointed at the wall ♪ ♪ She said, "Hey" ♪ ♪ "That picture from our honeymoon ♪ ♪ That night in 'Frisco Bay ♪ ♪ Just give it away ♪ ♪ She said, "Give it away" ♪ ♪ "And that big four poster king sized bed ♪ ♪ Where all our love was made ♪ ♪ She said "Give it away" ♪ ♪ "Just give it away" ♪ ♪ Just give it away ♪ ♪ There ain't nothing in this house worth fightin' over ♪ ♪ Oh, and we're both tired of fightin' anyway ♪ ♪ So just give it away ♪ ♪ Anyway, I tried to move on ♪ ♪ But it seems like every woman that I hold ♪ ♪ Just keeps on reminding me about that day ♪ ♪ So when that front door swung wide open ♪ ♪ She flung her diamond ring ♪ ♪ Said, "Give it away ♪ ♪ "Just give it away" ♪ ♪ And I said, "Now honey ♪ ♪ "Don't you even want your half of everything?"

♪ ♪ She said, "Give it away ♪ ♪ "Just give it away" ♪ ♪ Just give it away ♪ ♪ There ain't nothing in this house worth fightin' over ♪ ♪ Oh, and we're both tired of fightin' anyway ♪ ♪ So just give it away ♪ - [Audience Member] Yeah!

♪ Anyway, I'm right back here where she left me ♪ ♪ This stone building ♪ ♪ Right here in Jacksonville, Alabama ♪ (audience cheering) ♪ Along with all this other stuff ♪ ♪ She just don't seem to care about anymore ♪ ♪ Like the picture from our honeymoon ♪ ♪ That night in 'Frisco Bay ♪ ♪ She said, "Give it away" ♪ ♪ Well, I can't give it away ♪ ♪ And that big four poster king sized bed ♪ ♪ Where all our love was made ♪ ♪ She said, "Give it away" ♪ ♪ Well, I can't give it away ♪ ♪ I've got a furnished house ♪ ♪ A diamond ring ♪ ♪ And a lonely, broken heart ♪ ♪ Full of love ♪ ♪ And I still can't give it away ♪ (audience applauding) (audience cheering) - Thank you.

Thank you.

- I guess we should have asked you, could we play with you on that song?

(audience laughing) - I'd rather you play.

(band member laughing) - Man, Gordon Mote.

You are one of my favorite musicians ever.

- God bless you.

- I gotta tell you.

- You're very sweet.

(audience applauding) You don't mean a word of it, but you sure are nice.

(audience laughing) - [Riley] I don't know how long I'm gonna be here, but I want to hear you do "Mercy Walked In."

- Oh, okay.

(audience cheering) Oh God bless you.

- Yeah!

- Oh you're-- - How 'bout a yeah?

- [Audience] Yeah!

(gentle music) - Do it, son.

(Gordon chuckling) - Thanks to Emily and everybody that put this together too, we're glad to be here (audience applauding) and grateful to raise some money for the Rock.

I'll just say this before I sing, 'cause Riley and Jamie have talked about it.

Growing up in this area.

I remember the first time I heard "Tennessee River" in my homes in Alabama and Q104 was a pop station back in those days.

But they played anything that was really hot.

I remember they played "Christmas in Dixie" like in August (audience laughing) and they played it for an hour straight and we just couldn't, we just loved it.

It was so good.

But growing up as a little kid and hearing all those great songs, one after another, after another after another.

And I thought, you know, they're from a small town.

I'm from a small town.

Maybe since they've made it so big, maybe there's hope for me.

And so I think the group, Alabama, Randy, Teddy and Jeff, I think they caused a lot of us kids to dream bigger than we ever would have maybe, had they not made music together.

So not only am I grateful for the music, all the music they've made over the years and continue to make and the crowds they continue to just wow every night, now I got a front row seat every night to those shows.

They let me travel along with this incredible band, Megan and Kimo and some, a lot of guys that aren't with us tonight, but y'all, I'm so grateful not only for the music, but for the relationships.

Randy and his family, Teddy and his family, and of course Cookie.

We miss Jeff.

But their families are just the real deal.

They're very, very sweet.

I love Randy and Kelly to death and Teddy and Linda and all the guys and girls that travel with us.

So I'm very grateful for the group, Alabama and may they tour another 50 years.

Right?

(audience cheering) (gentle music) Thank y'all for this song.

♪ I stood in the courtroom, the judge turned my way ♪ ♪ It looks like you're guilty, now what do you say ♪ Kimberly could come and sing it with me.

♪ I spoke up, "Your honor, I have no defense" ♪ ♪ But that's when mercy walked in ♪ (audience cheering) ♪ Mercy walked in and pleaded my case ♪ ♪ Called to the stand, God's saving grace ♪ ♪ The blood was presented that covered my sin ♪ ♪ Forgiven when mercy walked in ♪ ♪ I stood there and wondered ♪ ♪ How could this be ♪ ♪ Someone so guilty had just been set free ♪ ♪ My chains were broken, oh, I felt born again ♪ ♪ The moment that mercy walked in ♪ If you know it, help me sing.

♪ Mercy walked in and pleaded my case ♪ ♪ Called to the stand ♪ ♪ God's saving grace ♪ ♪ The blood was presented ♪ ♪ That covered my sin ♪ ♪ Forgiven when mercy walked in ♪ ♪ The blood was presented that covered my sin ♪ ♪ Forgiven when mercy walked in ♪ (audience applauding) (audience cheering) Thank you.

Thank y'all.

- You wanna play the fiddle, Megan?

- [Megan] Yes.

- Let's do "Tennessee River."

(audience cheering) - [Audience Member] Yeah!

(bright music) - I worked on those chords for months.

♪ I was born across the river ♪ ♪ In the mountain where I call home ♪ ♪ Lord, times were good there ♪ ♪ I don't know why I ever roamed ♪ ♪ Oh, Tennessee River and a mountain man ♪ ♪ We get together anytime we can ♪ ♪ Oh, Tennessee River and a mountain man ♪ ♪ We play together in Mother Nature's band ♪ Play me some guitar.

Jamey do it, baby.

(audience cheering) ♪ This mountain king, he done left his throne ♪ ♪ On the Tennessee River and his mountain home ♪ ♪ But I'm going back, leaving today ♪ ♪ For my homeland so far away ♪ ♪ Driving to Dixie, wasting no time ♪ ♪ Back to the good life I left behind ♪ ♪ Going down to the river with my fishing line ♪ ♪ Climb back up the mountain by supper time ♪ ♪ Oh, Tennessee River and a mountain man ♪ ♪ We get together anytime we can ♪ ♪ Oh, Tennessee River and a mountain man ♪ ♪ We play together in Mother Nature's band ♪ Gordon, it's your turn, brother.

(energetic piano solo) (audience cheering) Do one more for the folks, Gordon.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) ♪ Me and my woman done made our plans ♪ ♪ On the Tennessee River, walking hand in hand ♪ ♪ Going to raise a family, Lord, settle down ♪ ♪ Where peace and love can still be found ♪ ♪ Oh, Tennessee River and a mountain man ♪ ♪ We get together anytime we can ♪ ♪ Oh, Tennessee River and a mountain man ♪ ♪ We play together in Mother Nature's band ♪ ♪ Oh, Tennessee River ♪ (energetic fiddle solo) (audience cheering) ♪ Tennessee River and a mountain man ♪ ♪ Get together anytime we can ♪ ♪ Oh, Tennessee River and a mountain man ♪ ♪ We play together in Mother Nature's band ♪ Sung that, baby.

(energetic fiddling) (audience cheering) (audience cheering) One quick story.

(audience laughing) Most of the shows that we do, I don't get a chance to tell y'all about songs I've written because as Gordon knows, and Megan and Kimo, it's wide ass open.

(laughing) Well, Charlie Daniels was from Wilmington, North Carolina and we were playing in Myrtle Beach.

So he was like, my goodness, Charlie Daniels lived just close by.

And so Charlie was making the fiddle very popular.

- [Audience Member] Woo!

- So my cousin Jeff Cook started trying to play the fiddle.

It was awful.

(audience laughing) But he was not deterred.

He kept practicing, practicing, practicing, practicing.

So I thought, you know what?

I need to write a song for Jeff so he can play the fiddle on it.

So I wrote "Tennessee River."

So we were playing in Greenville, South Carolina.

We had all practiced, practiced.

We had it down perfect.

We started playing that song and the dance floor just filled up with people dancing.

When we hit the fiddle, they all turned around and went to looking at us like, what in the hell are y'all doing?

(audience laughing) This girl walks up to Jeff, he's got the fiddle and got the bow in his hand.

He's smiling, he's so happy.

She says, "Where'd that song come from?"

Jill said, "That's a new song that Randy wrote.

"Do you like it?"

She's like, "Hell no.

"That's the worst damn song I ever heard in my life."

(laughing) That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

- And that was the number one record.

So there you go.

(audience laughing) - Riley Green's one of the greatest writers of this generation.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) I mean, I don't get a chance to brag on you very often, but-- - I've never heard it.

- Well.

- I'd love to hear it.

(audience laughing) - I gotta tell you, when I first heard about you, I thought, oh good, another Alabama boy coming up here.

This ought to be something.

And I put on your music and I tell you, I really bonded.

I mean immediately before I even knew you, I knew knew what you were.

(audience applauding) - Then you saw we both ain't no good at golf and now we really bonded.

- Yeah.

(audience laughing) (gentle music) ♪ I wish girls you loved never gave back diamond rings ♪ ♪ I wish every porch had a swing ♪ (audience applauding) ♪ Wish kids still learned to say "sir" and "ma'am" ♪ ♪ And how to shake a hand ♪ ♪ I wish every state had a Birmingham ♪ ♪ I wish everybody knew all the words to "Mama Tried" ♪ ♪ I wish Monday mornin's felt just like Friday nights ♪ ♪ And I wish even cars had truck beds ♪ ♪ And every road was named Copperhead ♪ ♪ And coolers never run out of cold Busch Light ♪ ♪ And I wish high school home teams never lost ♪ ♪ And back road drinkin' kids never got caught ♪ ♪ And I wish the price of gas was low and cotton was high ♪ ♪ I wish honky-tonks didn't have no closin' time ♪ ♪ And I wish grandpas never died ♪ (audience cheering) ♪ I wish Sundays on a creek bank would never end ♪ ♪ Wish I could learn to drive again ♪ ♪ Wish the first time, 17 ♪ ♪ She was my everything kiss in a Chevrolet ♪ ♪ Could happen every day ♪ ♪ I wish everybody overseas was gonna make it home ♪ (audience cheering) ♪ I wish damn country music ♪ ♪ Still got played on country radio ♪ ♪ And I wish even cars had truck beds ♪ ♪ And every road was named Copperhead ♪ ♪ And coolers never run out of cold Busch Light ♪ ♪ And I wish high school home teams never lost ♪ ♪ And back road drinkin' kids never got caught ♪ ♪ And I wish the price of gas was low and cotton was high ♪ ♪ And I wish honky-tonks didn't have no closing time ♪ ♪ And I wish grandpas never died ♪ ♪ I wish grandpas never died ♪ ♪ And I wish good dogs never got grey and old ♪ ♪ I wish farms never got sold ♪ ♪ And I wish even cars had truck beds ♪ ♪ And every road was named Copperhead ♪ ♪ And coolers never run out of cold Busch Light ♪ ♪ And I wish high school home teams never lost ♪ ♪ And back road drinkin' kids never got caught ♪ ♪ And I wish the price of gas was low and cotton was high ♪ ♪ And I wish the Stone Center didn't have no closing time ♪ (audience cheering) ♪ And I wish grandpas never died ♪ ♪ I wish grandpas never died ♪ - Thank y'all for making it my first double platinum record in country music, I appreciate the hell out of that.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) Wrote this song on the way over here tonight.

(audience laughing) (soft music) ♪ I have seen my last tomorrow ♪ ♪ I am holding ♪ ♪ my last breath ♪ ♪ Goodbye, sweet world of sorrow ♪ ♪ My new life begins with death ♪ ♪ I am standing ♪ ♪ on the mountain ♪ ♪ I can hear ♪ ♪ the angels' songs ♪ ♪ I am reaching over Jordan ♪ ♪ Take my hand ♪ ♪ Lord, lead me home ♪ ♪ All my burdens ♪ ♪ are behind me ♪ ♪ I have prayed my final prayer ♪ ♪ Don't you cry ♪ ♪ over my body ♪ ♪ 'Cause that ain't me ♪ ♪ lying there ♪ ♪ I am standing on the mountain ♪ ♪ I can hear ♪ ♪ the angels' songs ♪ ♪ And I am reaching ♪ ♪ over Jordan ♪ ♪ Take my hand ♪ ♪ Lord, lead me home ♪ ♪ I am standing on the mountain ♪ ♪ I can hear ♪ ♪ the angels' songs ♪ ♪ I am reaching ♪ ♪ over Jordan ♪ ♪ Take my hand ♪ ♪ Lord, lead me home ♪ ♪ Take my hand ♪ ♪ Lord, lead me home ♪ (audience applauding) (audience cheering) - Thank you.

(soft music) - Alright, I got an idea.

No, I appreciate y'all letting me play with you, sure enough.

Gordon, it's been a lot of fun.

Thank y'all so much.

We do need to get a handle on this you know, at some point.

(audience laughing) What I would do if it was me is maybe you play the one song "In Color."

(audience cheering) And I ain't telling y'all what to do.

It's what I would do.

And then "My Home's in Alabama?"

(audience cheering) (indistinct) all roll on out here.

You know, (audience laughing) just ride off into the sunset is kinda what I was thinking.

I'll sit right over here.

- [Audience Member] Give us "In Color," give us "In Color."

(mellow music) - Well, you know "In Color" pretty well.

I hear you've been doing it.

- I've played that song at every show for 10, 15 years.

(audience laughing) Tell everybody you're my dad.

(audience laughing) - Hell, I might be.

(audience laughing) - Mom, weren't you a Major Red or something?

In what years were you in college over here?

He didn't always look like this, you know.

(audience laughing) (soft music) Alright, see we gotta get back.

(audience laughing) (soft music continues) ♪ I said, "Grandpa, what's this picture here?

♪ ♪ It's all black and white, and it ain't real clear ♪ ♪ "Is that you there?

", he said, "Yeah, I was 11" ♪ ♪ "And times were tough back in '35 ♪ ♪ "That's me and uncle Joe just tryna survive a cotton farm ♪ ♪ "In a great depression" ♪ ♪ If it looks like we were scared to death ♪ ♪ Like a couple of kids just tryna save each other ♪ ♪ You should've seen it in color ♪ Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Jamey Johnson.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) ♪ Oh, and this one here was taken overseas ♪ ♪ In the middle of hell in 1943 in the winter time ♪ ♪ You can almost see my breath ♪ ♪ That was my tail gunner, ol' Johnny Magee ♪ ♪ He was a high school teacher from New Orleans ♪ ♪ And he had my back right through the day we left ♪ ♪ If it looks like we were scared to death ♪ ♪ Like a couple of kids just tryna save each other ♪ ♪ You should've seen it in color ♪ ♪ A picture's worth a thousand words ♪ ♪ But you can't see what those shades of gray keep covered ♪ ♪ You should've seen it in color ♪ (audience cheering) ♪ This one is my favorite one ♪ ♪ This is me and Memaw in the summer sun ♪ ♪ All dressed up the day we said our vows ♪ ♪ You can't tell it here but it was hot that June ♪ ♪ And that rose was red and her eyes were blue ♪ ♪ And just look at that smile ♪ ♪ Son, I was so proud ♪ ♪ That's the story of my life ♪ ♪ Jacksonville, will you sing it tonight ♪ (audience cheering) ♪ Well, if it looks like we were scared to death ♪ ♪ Like a couple of kids just tryna save each other ♪ ♪ You should've seen it in color ♪ ♪ A picture's worth a thousand words ♪ ♪ But you can't see what those shades of gray keep covered ♪ ♪ You should've seen it in color ♪ ♪ A picture's worth a thousand words ♪ ♪ But you can't see what those shades of gray keep covered ♪ ♪ You should've seen it in color ♪ (audience applauding) (audience cheering) (mellow music) - Wow.

♪ Drinking was forbidden in my Christian country home ♪ ♪ I learned to play the flattop ♪ ♪ on them good old Gospel songs ♪ ♪ Then I heard about the bar rooms ♪ ♪ just across the Georgia line ♪ ♪ Where a boy could make a living ♪ ♪ playing guitar late at night ♪ ♪ Had to learn about the ladies ♪ ♪ But I was too young to understand ♪ ♪ Why the young girls fall in love with the boys in the band ♪ ♪ When the boys turn to music, the girls just turn away ♪ ♪ To some other guitar picker in some other late night place ♪ ♪ Yeah, held on to my music, let the ladies walk away ♪ ♪ Took my songs and dreams to Nashville ♪ ♪ Moved on to L.A ♪ ♪ Up to New York City, all across the USA ♪ ♪ But I lost so much of me ♪ ♪ There's enough of me to say that my ♪ ♪ Home's in Alabama ♪ ♪ No matter where I lay my head ♪ ♪ My home's in Alabama ♪ ♪ Southern born and Southern bred ♪ All you Southern boys, Southern bred!

(audience cheering) Don't it feel good?

(gentle fiddle music) ♪ Well, what keeps me going I don't really know ♪ ♪ Can't be the money, Lord knows I'm always broke ♪ ♪ Could it be the satisfaction of being understood ♪ ♪ When the people really love you ♪ ♪ And let you know when it's good ♪ (audience cheering) ♪ Oh I'll speak my Southern English ♪ ♪ Just as natural as I please ♪ Take it, Jamey.

♪ I'm in the heart of Dixie and Dixie's in the heart of me ♪ ♪ And someday when I make it, when love finds a way ♪ ♪ Somewhere high on Lookout Mountain ♪ ♪ Y'all, I'll smile with pride and say that my ♪ ♪ Home's in Alabama ♪ ♪ No matter where I lay my head ♪ ♪ My home's in Alabama ♪ ♪ Southern born and Southern bred ♪ ♪ Southern born and Southern bred ♪ ♪ Southern born and Southern bred ♪ (audience whistling) Oh yeah!

(audience cheering) Here we go everybody.

♪ My home's in Alabama ♪ ♪ No matter where I lay my head ♪ ♪ My home's in Alabama ♪ ♪ Southern born and Southern bred ♪ ♪ Southern born and Southern bred ♪ ♪ Southern born and Southern bred ♪ (audience cheering) (audience applauding) - Great job guys, great job.

Give it up again!

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) Country music legend Randy Owen, Jamey Johnson, Riley Green, Gordon Mote!

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) Thank you all for coming out and supporting Rock.

It's been a great night.

Be safe going home.

Go Gamecocks and we'll see you next time.

Thank you everybody.

(audience cheering) (pleasant music)