Randy Owen

(Nov. 11, Broken Bow) Former Alabama frontman Randy Owen says his return to a solo career four years after the band last toured is due to two things. The first is that he realized that as spokesman for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, he needed to have a platform on which to stand. "It's something that played heavily on my mind," he says. "I wanted to be part of the current solution of working with the kids. Having a new record would help that cause."

Secondly, he realized people still wanted to hear him sing. "That was really a huge part of the decision, too," he says. After starting to record his solo project with John Rich, Owen hit the road. "I did big shows, small shows, and after I came back I was completely convinced that the public still wanted to see me play music. I came back totally energized and excited about the project and we finished it up."

Due Nov. 11, Owen's solo debut, "One on One," will be released on Nashville independent Broken Bow. An autobiography, tentatively titled "Born Country," will also be released on that date by HarperOne, an imprint of Harper Collins.

Shawn Pennington of Dale Morris & Associates, Owen's management company, says the project wasn't shopped to any other label, major or otherwise, besides Broken Bow. "They're great at creating radio hits and our company is really good at building brands," he says. "It's a perfect match. All the tools are there."

The I-done-her-wrong single "Like I Never Broke Her Heart" is at radio, but it's not the first release from the project. "Braid My Hair," which was released to radio in the spring, is a touching tune about a younger cancer victim who wants for nothing more than to be able to braid her hair. All publishing proceeds of the song go to St. Jude.

"Heart" is already garnering airplay in Philadelphia; Washington, D.C.; Seattle; and Cincinnati, among other markets.

Broken Bow GM Brad Howell says that because of his stature, Owen, who has recently been honored with an Ellis Island Medal of Honor, as well as the Paul G. Rogers Public Service Award and the National Assn. of Broadcasters Service to America Award for his work with St. Jude, is in demand on the TV, radio and print circuit. "There are going to be some unique opportunities with the album and the book coming out the same day," he says.

While marketing plans are still being formulated, Owen is confirmed to appear on American Public Television's "Legends & Lyrics" in December with Kris Kristofferson and Patty Griffin.

"We're looking for corporate alliances," Pennington says, citing past deals between clients Kenny Chesney and Corona as well as Big & Rich's Chevy partnership as examples of what the company has in mind for Owen.

And even though Alabama charted two singles via tiny independent MDJ before the group signed with RCA, Owen says there's no comparison between that label and full-service Broken Bow. "That was an independent label but not of this category," he says. "Broken Bow is the king of kings. This is one to be excited about."

—Ken Tucker