Iconic ‘80s Country Band Reunites With Drummer for the First Time in 20 Years
- - Iconic ‘80s Country Band Reunites With Drummer for the First Time in 20 Years
Melinda LorgeAugust 26, 2025 at 4:01 AM
(L-R) American musicians Randy Owen, Mark Herndon, Teddy Gentry and Jeff Cook (1949 - 2022), of the American country music band Alabama, receive an award for being the artists of the eighties during the 24th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards at Disney Studios in Burbank, California, April 10, 1989. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images)
Country music legends Alabama gave fans an unexpected treat recently when they reunited with former drummer Matt Herndon — a moment that hadn’t been seen in over 20 years. The once-in-a-lifetime event took place on Saturday night, Aug. 23, during Alabama’s sold-out headlining performance at the Orion Amphitheater in Huntsville, Alabama.
Herndon—who looked like a rockstar, sporting a pair of sunglasses, a cutoff shirt, and a red bandana—joined his fellow bandmates onstage during “Mountain Music,” which served as the final song of the night. The beloved classic country song was written by the group’s lead singer, Randy Owen, and released in 1982, as the lead-off single from Alabama's sixth studio album of the same name.
Fans Were in for a Treat as Herndon Performed a Drum Solo
A video of the history-making moment was captured by one fan and made the rounds on TikTok. As shown in the clip, Herndon’s inclusion was well-received by fans, who couldn't help but scream and clap along as he busted out an epic drum solo ahead of the band playing the iconic crossover smash (which took the top spot on several charts, including Billboard’s Hot Country Song Chart).
“Oh, play me some mountain music / Like grandma and grandpa used to play / Then I'll float on down the river / To a Cajun hideaway,” the band sang as confetti poured down onto the stage, making the moment a grand one for everyone in the room to remember.
The Moment Proved Historic for Everyone in the Audience
“To a sold-out crowd in Alabama’s home state, Herndon stepped behind the drum kit….The crowd roared as he took his seat, and the energy surged as the classic lineup came alive once again, transporting fans back to the group’s heyday in the 1980s and 1990s when Alabama dominated the country charts,” a portion of the caption read alongside the clip.
Herndon Played Drums in Alabama for 25 Years Before Leaving the Iconic Group
Herndon played in Alabama for nearly three decades from 1979 to 2004, before exiting the group made up of fellow band mates and cousins, singer/guitarist Owen, bassist /backup singer Teddy Gentry, and the late Jeff Cook, who passed away in 2022 at the age of 73, due to complications of Parkinson’s Disease.
Some of the Band Members Shared Their Joy Over the Reunion
“I felt like a little kid all day. It was so cathartic for everybody. I think it was on God’s time, I really do. It was magic all over again,” Herndon said of the onstage reunion in a statement.
“It just fell together. The good Lord blesses us sometimes to do things that we can’t do. All we can do is kind of be in the wings and kind of hope for things,” Gentry added.
Alabama Is Currently on Tour
While not with Herndon, Alabama still plays live shows and is currently on its Live in Concert 25 Tour, which runs through Dec. 5. Fans can get the complete list of tour dates on the band's official website, here.
Along with “Mountain Music,” Alabama is known for a string of hits like “Dixieland Delight,” “Song of the South,” “I’min a Hurry,” “The Closer You Get,” “Born Country,” “Angels Among Us,” and others. The group was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005.
Related: ‘90s Country Icon Toby Keith's Son Welcomes First Child With Sweet Photo: 'Smiling Down From Heaven'
This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 26, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
