Ten Favorite Country State Names Songs: Alabama (#1)

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The final state in the countdown of favorite country songs with a state's name in its title...is not my home state. Shame on me. I represented my home state twice in this countdown, and when I flip the genres and go to rock states Kentucky will be there again! Meanwhile, here's my favorite country song with a state's name in the title. #1: Alabama - Louvin Brothers And this explains why I didn't use the Louvins' version of "Kentucky" yesterday. I try to limit myself to one artist per countdown. Hailing from Sand Mountain, Alabama, Ira and Charlie Loudermilk grew up listening to the Delmore Brothers (who were from the other end of Sand Mountain). When they began their recording career they changed their name to Louvin. Their first song, recorded in 1947 on the Apollo label, was this stunning ode to their home state, penned by Ira (Charlie used to say that most of his contributions to writing Louvin Brothers songs was "I held the paper while Ira wrote the words"). They recorded this two other times, when they were briefly on MGM Records, and for their classic Tragic Songs of Life album in 1956. (For you trivia buffs, Tragic Songs of Life is the first country album listed in the book 1,001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.) The beauty of the state is reflected as the Louvins sing about the details, the "fields of ceresa, potatoes, and corn" and "sweet ferns and wildflowers in winter with snow." In 1966, the year after Ira Louvin was killed in a car wreck in Missouri, "Alabama" was designated one of the official state songs. What a fitting tribute, to both the Louvin Brothers and their home. Thanks for reading. Alabama Written by Ira Louvin and Charlie Louvin Recorded by the Louvin Brothers From Tragic Songs of Life, 1956 You hold all I love: