First Hit Monday Features Alabama’s “Tennessee River” [VIDEO]

They opened the door bands to become a success in country music. They are members of the Country Music Hall of Fame and were voted artist of the decade at the end of the 80's by the Academy of Country Music. They are Alabama.

Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry, Jeff Cook and Mark Herndon made up Alabama. In 1979 they signed with RCA Records. Bands were common place in rock music, but not so in country music.

In 1980 they released their first hit song "Tennessee River". It would lead to a string of Number One songs for the band.

In fact "Tennessee River" would make Alabama the first group in country music to got the the top of the charts with it's first major-label release.