After being off the road and out of the recording studio for a long time, Country Music Hall of Famers Alabama have returned with Alabama – Songs of Inspiration, debuting at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart. It was the first time an Alabama album entered the chart in the top spot since the inception of SoundScan in 1991.

      "We really didn't know what to expect, since we've been off the road and hadn't put out any new music for so long," says lead singer Randy Owen. "When I first heard about this, I couldn't believe it. It's very humbling to see how dedicated the Alabama fans are."

      Traditional hymns, standards and two original songs, as well as a rendition of "Silent Night," comprise the 15 cuts. Special guests include Ralph Stanley, gospel greats the Isaacs and three granddaughters of Alabama's Teddy Gentry.

      Owen says the band first considered the project back in 1990. "It seems like fans have been asking for it longer than that!" he remarks. "The timing just happened to finally work out to record the album now."

      One of the biggest challenges was deciding what to record. Owen initially looked for songs at his mother's house. "I looked through her notebooks and found so many songs and old song books," he says. "We also did a survey with the fan club to get ideas from them on songs they'd like us to do. These are songs that we grew up listening to as little kids."

      This is the band's first album with inspirational content. Included are classics like "Rock of Ages," "How Great Thou Art," "The Old Rugged Cross," "Amazing Grace" and more. Two original songs, "One Big Heaven" and "Rain," both written by Owen, were recorded for the album.

      He says the making of the album has been an emotional journey. "It's one I'm proud we took. I hope people feel like they're going to church when they listen to these songs," he says. "Music is a great healer and a great comfort, and I think that's what these songs are. This music is for the folks—this is for all God's people."

      Aaron Tippin held the flag high for country music and for the USA by traveling to Afghanistan for Thanksgiving to entertain our troops.

      "Those are the real working men and women, and if I can repay even an ounce of what they are doing for me, my family and my country by taking their minds off of the day-to-day risks … well, I can't think of a better thing to do with my time," Tippin says. "They have been fighting for the rights we take for granted every day, and I want to make sure they know we're thankful."

      Tippin has performed for over 500,000 military personnel either overseas or here at home in his career. In addition, he is the spokesman for the Armed Services YMCA, an aviator and an avid military supporter.

      In another honor reflecting proudly on country music, Charlie Daniels was recently honored at the 107th National Convention of the VFW in Reno, Nev. He was presented with the Veterans of Foreign Wars' Hall of Fame Award.

      Daniels has been entertaining the troops for 35 years, performing at military bases worldwide with recent visits to Korea's DMZ, Guantanamo Bay, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq.

      "America has an unpayable debt of gratitude to those who have fought our wars and guarded our way of life," Daniels told the gathering. "I cannot be your brother in arms because I've never worn that uniform of valor, but I am your brother."

      Rex Rutkoski is a veteran national and international music, entertainment and features writer who also has a bio-writing service for unsigned, new and established musicians in all genres. He can be reached at RRJR@peoplepc.com.