Alabama
Turn it up: It’s been 50 years since Lynyrd Skynyrd released ‘Sweet Home Alabama’
Lynyrd Skynyrd on bringing “Free Bird” to CMA Fest 2024
Lynyrd Skynyrd talks to Tennessean country music reporter Marcus K. Dowling ahead of their Nissan Stadium CMA Fest performance, June 6, 2024.
It’s been 50 years since Ronnie Van Zant first implored listeners to turn it up and sing songs about the Southland.
“Sweet Home Alabama,” which would certainly be the signature song of any band that didn’t already have “Freebird” in its catalog, was released June 24, 1974.
Here are some interesting facts about the Lynyrd Skynyrd classic, which peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard charts.
Who wrote Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama?”
The music was written by Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarists Ed King and Gary Rossington. Singer Ronnie Van Zant added the lyrics. In Marley Brant’s book “Freebirds,” King is quoted as saying the opening riff came to him in the middle of the night. “I woke up, wrote down the music, complete with all of the guitar parts, and then played it for Ronnie,” King says.
Where was “Sweet Home Alabama” written?
Gene Odom was a longtime friend of Van Zant and later and employee of the band (he was on the plane that crashed in 1977, killing Van Zant and five others). In his book “Lynyrd Skynyrd: Remembering the Free Birds of Southern Rock,” Odom says the song was written at Hell House, a shack along Peters Creek near Green Cove Springs that the band used as a rehearsal space in its early years. Hell House no longer stands; the property is part of the Edgewater Landing housing development, but the Hell House lot was purchased by a nonprofit group and remains undeveloped. The Fender Stratocaster guitar that King used to write the song is now in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Where did Lynyrd Skynyrd record the album version of “Sweet Home Alabama?”
According to Odom’s book, the song was recorded at Studio One in Atlanta, just four days after it was written. The rest of the “Second Helping” album was recorded in Los Angeles.
When was “Sweet Home Alabama” released as a single?
The single, with “Take Your Time” on the B-side, was released on June 24, 1974.
Was “Sweet Home Alabama” a gold record?
The single was certified as either gold or platinum in the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Germany, Denmark and Brazil. The song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2009.
What Lynyrd Skynyrd album contained the original version of “Sweet Home Alabama?”
“Sweet Home Alabama” is the first song on side one of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Second Helping” album. The album also included Skynyrd staples “Call Me the Breeze,” “Workin’ for MCA” and “The Ballad of Curtis Loew.”
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What other official versions of “Sweet Home Alabama” has Lynyrd Skynyrd released?
The song also appears on a bunch of Lynyrd Skynyrd live albums, including “One More From the Road” from 1976, “Southern by the Grace of God” from ‘87, “Lyve from Steeltown” from ‘97 and “Live from Freedom Hall” in ‘07. It can also be heard on “Pronounced ‘Leh-nerd Skin-nerd’ and ‘Second Helping’ Live from Jacksonville at the Florida Theatre” and “Last of the Street Survivors Lyve,” which was recorded at TIAA Bank Field in 2018. A reworked acoustic version of the song was released on the band’s studio album, “Endangered Species.”
Has anyone released a cover version of “Sweet Home Alabama?”
The song has been recorded by Jewel, Alabama, the Outlaws, Big Head Todd and the Monsters and the Leningrad Cowboys.
How many times has Lynyrd Skynyrd publicly performed “Sweet Home Alabama?”
According to setlist.fm, a website that tracks concert performances, Lynyrd Skynyrd has played “Sweet Home Alabama” 1,154 times in concert. The only song they’ve played more is “Freebird,” clocking in at 1,177 performances.
Was Lynyrd Skynyrd from Alabama?
No. Ed King was a California native but the rest of the original band members were from Jacksonville.
Who are the Swampers? I hear they’ve been known to pick a song or two.
Muscle Shoals, Ala., is known for its recording studios (Skynyrd recorded songs there before releasing their first album). The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section was a group of studio musicians who were better known as the Swampers. They can be heard on recordings by Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Leon Russell, Bob Seger, Wilson Pickett and others and are featured in the 2013 documentary “Muscle Shoals.”
Is Alabama really “where the skies are so blue?”
Alabama gets about 213 sunny days per year. That’s eight more than the national average.
Who are the “boo, boo, boo” background singers on “Sweet Home Alabama?”
Merry Clayton, Clydie King and Sherlie Matthews were brought into the studio to sweeten the vocals. Clayton can also be heard on the Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter” and was one of Ray Charles’ Raelettes; King also sings background on hits by Neil Diamond, Steely Dan and Bob Dylan. Matthew sang on many Motown hits, plus songs from Barbra Streisand, the Beach Boys and Lionel Richie.
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Why is Neil Young mentioned in “Sweet Home Alabama?”
The song includes the line “I hope Neil Young will remember, a Southern man don’t need him around anyhow.” That was in response to a couple of Young’s songs, “Southern Man” and “Alabama,” that were critical of Southern culture. There was never a feud between the acts; Van Zant was frequently pictured in a Neil Young T-shirt and, in his autobiography, Young acknowledges that he deserved everything Skynyrd dished out.
In Birmingham, do they love the governor?
Perhaps, but they definitely love Skynyrd. “Sweet Home” was printed on the state’s license plates for several years, and the band has played more than 50 concerts in the state, including shows in Birmingham in 1973, ‘74, ‘87, ‘99, 2004 and 2009.
Does “Sweet Home Alabama,” the Reese Witherspoon film from 2002, have anything to do with the song?
The film is set in Alabama, but that’s the only connection other than a cover version of the song recorded by Jewel for the soundtrack. Skynyrd’s version of the song can also be heard on TV shows “Knight Rider,” “That ‘70s Show” and “Six Feet Under” and in the movies “Mask,” “Forrest Gump,” “Crimson Tide,” “To Die For,” “Con Air,” “Outside Providence,” “Joe Dirt,” “8 Mile” and “Sahara.”
Alabama
Alabama NAACP Releases 2026 Selma Jubilee Weekend Schedule
The Alabama State Conference of the NAACP has announced its official schedule for the 2026 NAACP-sponsored Selma Jubilee Bridge Crossing Weekend, set for March 6–8 in Montgomery and Selma.
Held under the theme “A Time for Standing,” the annual commemoration honors the Foot Soldiers of the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery marches and recognizes the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis and Rev. Jesse Jackson for their roles in advancing civil rights and voting access.
The three-day event will bring together national, state and local leaders, along with youth and college chapters, faith partners and community members for activities focused on reflection, education and civic engagement.
Scheduled events include a civic discussion titled “The New Civic Path” on March 6 at the Montgomery Interpretive Center at Alabama State University, followed by a Jubilee Gala that evening at Embassy Suites in Montgomery. On March 7, the Birmingham Metro Branch will host a bus trip to Selma, while a statewide civic engagement training will take place in Montgomery.
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On March 8, participants will take part in the Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee Parade, voter activation efforts, worship services at Brown Chapel AME Church and Tabernacle Baptist Church, and the traditional bridge crossing at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge.
Organizers say the weekend will emphasize continued civic participation and community engagement across Alabama.
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March 6 — Alabama NAACP Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee Gala 5:30PM Embassy Suites by Hilton, 300 Tallapoosa St, Montgomery, AL 36104
March 7 — NAACP Birmingham Metro Branch Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee Bus Trip 8AM–5PM Broad Street and Water Avenue in Selma Alabama
March 7 — Alabama State NAACP Statewide Civic Engagement Training 8–4:15PM Homewood Suites, 7800 EastChase Pkwy, Montgomery, AL 36117
March 8 — Alabama State NAACP in the Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee Parade 8AM–10AM Begins at 1722 Broad St and concludes at the National Voting Rights Museum
March 8 — Alabama NAACP Statewide Bridge Crossing Jubilee Bus Trip 8AM–5PM Alabama State University, Untenese and Mobile Branch and University of Alabama, Oakwood University, Broad Street and Water Avenue, Selma
March 8 — Alabama NAACP Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee Participation in Worship Services 10AM–2PM Brown Chapel AME Church and Tabernacle Baptist Church, Selma
March 8 — Alabama NAACP Youth and College Civic Engagement Voter Activation 8AM–2PM Broad Street and Water Ave, Selma
March 8 — Alabama NAACP Statewide Bridge Crossing 11:15PM – Line up Alabama NAACP Tent on Waters Ave or at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge, Selma
Alabama
3 Alabama players who helped their draft stock at 2026 NFL combine
Each player had a pivotal role on the Crimson Tide in 2025.
Alabama had a multitude of former players who performed at an elite level at the NFL combine this past weekend.
Former Alabama star quarterback Ty Simpson was among those who put his talents on full display in Indianapolis, as Simpson continues to emerge as a top quarterback prospect available in April’s draft.
Numerous Crimson Tide stars on both sides of the football were able to have an excellent showing at the combine as well, with each playmaker a vital component to the Tide’s success in 2025.
Here are three Alabama players who helped their draft stock rise at the NFL combine.
Ty Simpson, Quarterback
Simpson is widely regarded as the best quarterback prospect available outside of Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. The talented redshirt junior put on an absolute show at the NFL combine, as Simpson delivered multiple perfect throws and put his talents on full display throughout Saturday’s events.
The former Alabama star is a candidate to potentially shine day one in his campaign in the NFL, as Simpson’s draft stock continues to rise prior to April.
Jam Miller, Running Back
Miller is an extremely fast and athletic running back, despite struggling in the Tide’s backfield last season. The star running back recorded an impressive 4.43u 40-yard dash time, as Miller could very easily shine in the NFL next season with consistent playing time.
Miller was nothing short of elite throughout his entire performance at the combine in Indianapolis, as the former Tide running back continues to rise in a multitude of draft rankings around the football world.
Kadyn Proctor, Offensive Tackle
Proctor played a crucial role on Alabama’s offensive line last season. The star lineman reportedly slimmed down prior to the NFL combine, as Proctor displayed elite speed and athleticism throughout Sunday’s combine in Indianapolis.
Proctor is widely expected to be a mid-to-late first round selection in April, as the talented lineman’s efforts during the combine could quickly begin to work in Proctor’s favor during next month’s draft.
The 2026 NFL draft will take place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania starting on April 23, as each Crimson Tide star will look to shine throughout their rookie campaign in the NFL.
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Alabama
Husband, 19, fatally shot wife, 24, himself at Alabama hospital moments after welcoming their first child
A husband fatally shot his wife before turning the gun on himself at an Alabama hospital just moments after they welcomed their first child on Sunday.
Kynath Terry Jr., 19, gunned down 24-year-old Precious Johnson before fatally shooting himself inside the Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital around 9:30 p.m. Sunday night, WTVM 13 reported.
Johnson delivered a healthy baby just before she was murdered. It’s not immediately clear if the baby was present during the shooting, but police said that Terry and Johnson were the only ones injured.
Terry’s mother told the outlet that the couple were having some marital issues leading up to Johnson’s due date, but nothing that made her fear her son would become violent.
She told the outlet that Terry completed Army National Guard training before tying the knot with Johnson.
She noted that Johnson didn’t want Terry’s side of the family at the hospital for her child’s birth, but it’s unclear if anyone from the mother-to-be’s own family was there.
The hospital was plunged into a lockdown “out of an abundance of caution” while police investigated reports of a shooting. It wasn’t lifted until hours later when they determined there was “no active threat to patients, team members or the public,” the outlet reported.
The Homewood Police Department described the tragedy as “an apparent murder-suicide and is domestic in nature.”
Danne Howard, the president of the Alabama Hospital Association, told the outlet that the chilling attack “was an isolated incident” unlike anything she’d encountered during her three decades working in the state.
Howard said, in the wake of the tragedy, the Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital would undergo a security overhaul implementing “lessons learned” from a mandated after-action report.
Just three months ago, in a town six miles outside of Homewood, a beloved sports reporter was fatally shot by her husband before taking his own life. Their 3-year-old son, who was unharmed, led his grandfather to his parents’ bodies.
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