Nashville is even more stocked with stars than normal this week. The CMA Awards show is the center, with a constellation of events clustered around it.
Alabama’s second sold-out night headlining Ryman Auditorium on Monday pulled in its share of those artists as Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry and Jeff Cook were joined on stage by performers on the new album “Alabama & Friends.”
Jason Aldean came out on the second song of the night for “Tennessee River.”
“I’m nervous, I’m excited,” Trisha Yearwood said before singing “Forever’s as Far as I’ll Go” and after hugging each of the three Alabama members.
After the song, Owen asked her to stay for another. Her reply: “I know all of ’em. What else you got?”, followed by, “This is what I look like freaked out. I’m freaked out right now.”
She and Owen then sang hit “Lady Down on Love,” which Kenny Chesney covered on the album tribute to the Country Music Hall of Famer band.
A little later, Eli Young Band joined the group on stage for "The Closer You Get," and Florida Georgia Line came out to perform "I'm in a Hurry (And Don't Know Why)."
Jamey Johnson followed, taking the stage for "My Home's in Alabama."
The artists had picked out their favorite Alabama hits to perform for the tribute album, which was released in August and also features Alabama’s first new country songs in about 10 years. Sunday's concert was taped for a Nov. 27 airing on Great American Country.
More on Alabama:
Alabama headlines Ryman Auditorium for the first time (Night One recap)