Randy Owen Documentary Premieres Tonight Statewide on Alabama Public Television

FORT PAYNE, AL – A new documentary telling the life story of ALABAMA founder and frontman Randy Owen makes its television debut Saturday night, and Etowah County viewers can watch it from home.

“My Home’s in Alabama: The Randy Owen Story” premieres Saturday, Aug. 8, at 7 p.m. Central on Alabama Public Television. The film airs statewide on APT stations and can also be streamed live through the free PBS Video App and on the APT website.

What is the documentary about?

The film follows Owen’s path from his childhood on Lookout Mountain near Fort Payne to his rise as one of country music’s most recognizable voices. It traces his experience as a first-generation college student at Jacksonville State University before he helped build one of the genre’s most successful and influential bands.

Rather than focusing only on awards and chart numbers, the documentary centers on the faith, family, community and humble beginnings that continue to shape Owen’s life. It weaves personal reflections together with footage of the Alabama landscapes that shaped his music.

Who appears in the film?

Family members, friends and fellow artists help tell Owen’s story. Among them are ALABAMA founding member Teddy Gentry, along with country artists Jamey Johnson and Riley Green.

The film also chronicles the early years of the band, from its beginnings playing as Young Country and Wild Country in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, to becoming ALABAMA. It addresses the death of co-founder Jeff Cook, who died in November 2022, and notes that the band continues to perform in a limited capacity.

Who made the documentary?

“My Home’s in Alabama” was produced by Jacksonville State University’s Longleaf Studios. It was co-directed by Dr. Seth Johnson and Will Payne and produced by Emily Duncan. Students from the university’s film, theater, art and communication programs worked alongside faculty and industry professionals as part of the production crew.

The title comes from ALABAMA’s fourth studio album, released in 1980. Owen co-wrote the title track with Teddy Gentry, and the song is widely credited with paving the way for ALABAMA to become one of modern country music’s first superstar bands. Over their career, the band sold more than 75 million albums worldwide and earned 43 No. 1 singles.

Saturday’s broadcast marks the documentary’s television premiere. The film was first shown earlier this year during the grand opening of the Randy Owen Center for the Performing Arts at Jacksonville State. It was presented with support from Coca-Cola UNITED.

How can I watch it?

Viewers can tune in to their local Alabama Public Television station Saturday at 7 p.m. Central. The film can also be streamed live through the free PBS Video App, available on iPhone, iPad, Android, Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV, or watched online through the APT website.

Owen is a Country Music Hall of Fame member and ALABAMA co-founder who graduated from Jacksonville State and now serves on the university’s board of trustees. That hometown connection runs through the film, giving Etowah County and northeast Alabama viewers a chance to see a regional story told on a statewide stage. For many local fans, it is a rare look at how the values of a small Alabama town shaped a national music career.

Frequently asked questions

When does the Randy Owen documentary air? Saturday, Aug. 8, at 7 p.m. Central on Alabama Public Television.

What is it called? “My Home’s in Alabama: The Randy Owen Story.”

Do I need cable to watch? No. You can watch on a local APT station over the air, or stream it free through the PBS Video App or the APT website.

Is this Owen’s first time showing the film? No. It premiered earlier this year at the opening of the Randy Owen Center for the Performing Arts at Jacksonville State University. Saturday is its television debut.

GadsdenThrive will continue to cover local and regional arts and entertainment across Etowah County and North Alabama.