Randy Yeuell Owen was born on December 13, 1949, in Fort Payne, Alabama. Raised on a farm near Lookout Mountain, he grew up in a family rich in love and music, despite their financial struggles. His early life was steeped in gospel hymns, country ballads, and bluegrass tunes, which laid the foundation for his future in music.

Owen dropped out of high school in the ninth grade but returned to graduate from Fort Payne High School in 1969. He went on to earn an English degree from Jacksonville State University, where he was a member of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity.

In the late 1960s, Owen began playing music with his cousins Teddy Gentry and Jeff Cook, forming a band called Wildcountry. Their first public performance at a high school talent show marked the beginning of their musical journey. By 1973, the band, now known as Alabama, was pursuing music full-time. They signed with RCA Records in 1980 and quickly rose to fame, becoming one of the most successful bands in country music history. Alabama released 21 gold, platinum, and multi-platinum albums, had 42 number-one singles, and sold over 75 million records. They were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005.

Aside from his work with Alabama, Owen pursued a solo career, releasing his debut album "One on One" in 2008. He also hosted the classic country request program "Country Gold" starting in 2012. Owen is known for his charitable efforts, particularly in supporting disadvantaged children, and has been recognized with the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award.

Owen married his wife Kelly in 1975, and they have three children. He continues to live on his cattle ranch near Fort Payne and serves on the Board of Trustees of Jacksonville State University. Randy Owen remains a beloved figure in country music, known for his deep connection with fans and his contributions to the genre.