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“The Alabama Troubadours played their tribute to John Prine in our venue, the Song Theater in Columbiana Alabama. It was a sellout! The audience loved it.  In my opinion, tribute shows are a “dime a dozen” if they just copy the music and do not capture the spirit of the artist. This is a tall request with regard to John Prine! These seasoned musicians did in fact capture the spirit of this iconic singer-songwriter. If you are a John Prine fan, you will be thoroughly entertained!

I highly recommend this show.”

 -Bruce Andrews Executive Director / Shelby County Arts Council – Shelby County Alabama

This past Friday night, Rene and I had the opportunity to attend the Alabama Troubadours Tribute to John Prine at the Shelby County Arts Council Song Theater.  From the opening chords of “Paradise” to the raucous encore of “In Spite of Ourselves”  Rick Carter on lead vocal provides a tour de force of Prine’s massive song catalog with familiar favorites and some dusty jewels sprinkled about the set list. A rock solid, Stan Foster on bass and wife Donna Hall Foster fill in the harmonies. Donna’s rendition of “Angel from Montgomery” hits you right in the heart. Put those together with “Moose” Harrell’s bright lead guitar and smooth work on the lap steel and you have a show not to be missed.

If you get the chance don’t miss this show!

 -Steve Gilbert – Tannehill Festival Buyer / Montevallo Alabama

The Alabama Troubadours is a band comprised of all-stars: fronted by Rick Carter (Rollin’ in the Hay) with Donna Hall (Wet Willie) vocals, “Moose” Harrell (Telluride) electric guitar, and Stan Foster (Rollin’ in the Hay) bass. Last Friday night, the four stepped onto the stage at The Princess Theatre in Decatur, Alabama and grabbed the audience by their heartstrings and left them wanting more. Carter embodied authenticity in his role as Prine. Hall’s soulful voice blended like silk and honey in the duets. Foster’s bass was like a heartbeat and his lonesome sounding harmonica brought forth just the right touch of melancholy. Harrell’s slide guitar and vocal harmonies were seamlessly woven throughout. Like their musical hero, the Alabama Troubadours evoked the human condition in all its sweetness, sorrow, triumph, and raw truth. In short, the Alabama Troubadours gave us one thing to hold onto – every single note, as they brought the most beloved songs of their musical hero to life.

Don’t miss this show!

– Melissa Ford Thornton, Communications Director – Princess Theatre Performing Arts Center

“Legends Honoring the Music of a Legend

Last Sunday night at UAB’s Alys Stephens Center was an immersion into the music of my life in many ways. I was a John Prine fan before I knew it. I first heard his songs being covered by Three On A String every weekend at the Lowenbrau Haus as a college student. Even though I knew the words to every song, it would be more than a decade later before knew they were crafted by John Prine. During that same era of musical discovery, the hot band in town was Telluride. Guitarists Rick Carter and Willian “Moose” Harrell were the backbone of that band, and both still play gigs today with the band, as well as Rollin’ in the Hay, and their latest band, The Alabama Troubadours.

Sunday evening, Carter and Harrell were joined by two other icons of Alabama music, Stan Foster, and Donna Hall, billed as The Alabama Troubadours and the title is fitting. Each band member was outstanding in their own right, but those years of experience and talent merged on the stage into a performance that I am sure would have made John Prine dance that parting jig he was famous for.

Early in the show, front man Carter made it clear to the audience, “We are not a tribute band. We are musicians performing the songs of our hero.” That was evident. You could sense that reverence in each song from not only the band but also from the sold-out crowd.

Rick Carter’s voice is perfect for Prine’s songs, from the funny ditties to the soul crunching ballads. The veteran was at his finest belting out the familiar tunes that, no doubt, the audience knew by heart. Carter’s talents have resulted in the Alabama Music Hall of Fame bestowing the honorable title of “Music Achiever” three times to this legend.

Donna Hall, a member of the Alabama and Georgia Music Hall of Fame was the perfect complement singing duets, back-up vocals, and then nailing the Prine hit, Angel From Montgomery with tantalizing, soulful perfection.

Moose Harrell also provided great backing vocals, but his true talent is as a guitar hero. Alternating between a lap steel, acoustic, and a variety of electric guitars that added so much depth to each song as he made his guitar moan the heartbreak in Sam Stone and made you want to dance to In Spite of Ourselves. The perfect accompaniment.

Stan Foster played bass, harmonica, and even brought out a concertina on one tune and played each one to perfection. His harmony vocals blended beautifully with Hall and Carter contributing a rich full sound on every song.

Carter explained to the audience that the idea for this show was first born in 2019 and while they were in the early planning stages, the pandemic squashed all live music events, of course, putting their plans on hold. During the pandemic, John Prine passed away from complications due to COVID, and when the pandemic finally lifted, it just seemed too soon to proceed with the project, but earlier this year the group felt like it was time to pay tribute to their hero and one of the world’s greatest songwriters.

Rehearsals began in January and The Alabama Troubadours debuted at the sold-out Song Theater in Columbiana, Alabama on March 10th. From there the group has performed all across the south. Their next show is October 8th at a venue with an odd name but a great reputation, The Frog Pond at Blue Moon Farm. The outdoor venue in Silverhill, Alabama is a private outdoor event space that is a member of The Folk Alliance International. On December 15th the Troubadours will be at the Capri Theatre in Montgomery, Alabama and they are already booking dates for 2024 as the tour continues.

If you’re a fan of John Prine, the show is definitely a must see, and if you’re like me, you will be willing to travel to experience it as often as you can. If you haven’t heard of John Prine, I’d be willing to bet you are familiar with some of his tunes as they have been covered through the years by artists of many genres including Bonnie Raitt, Johnny Cash, Brandi Carlile, Joan Baez, George Strait, Zac Brown Band, Bette Midler, and many others.

Go to the show! Trust me, you will be entertained.”

– Bob Patterson -A freelance journalist covering sports, music and entertainment.

“A Perfect Fit

The Alabama Troubadours Celebrate The Music Of John Prine August 20 2023

The intimacy of the Sirote Theater was a perfect location for this very warm and intimate performance. So warm it felt like family. What family? Rick Carter’s family of course. Actually, it felt more like church. Rick’s Flock showed up and with enthusiasm. Ready for some good ol tunes by a beloved singer/songwriter, recently passed, performed by a friendly splinter of the all time favorite, Telluride. And these guys have not lost it. No loss of enthusiasm with this bunch and add Ms Hall who was fully involved with this seasoned group. Like a nice black elbow length leather glove, she fit perfectly. Elegantly. As was her rendition of “Angel from Montgomery”. Her family resemblance to her brother was apparent in her wholehearted approach to being on stage.

Giving it all like a good ol Hall! You GO Donna!

Rick led the way through the acoustical labyrinth of folksy heartfelt images full of laughter and tears and joy and sorrow.

Rick has a persona that meets the dimensions left by Johnny Cash. Strong like a man but with a big ol helping of tender.

Rick’s dedication to his art is as strong today as it was in Telluride’s hay day or even in the Rolling in the Hay hay day. Ha!

The boys backing him up did so with vigor and a very nice touch. Their professionalism has grown as made apparent in Moose’s guitars ringing with tasteful licks as sweet as ice cream. His slide technique transferred from guitar to lap steel with ease. His tasteful contributions were many and well timed with a nice variety of tones and styles. Well played Moose!

I like bass. It’s my favorite instrument in a combo, especially without a drummer. It’s hard work laying the foundation, like brickwork. Gotta be solid! And so it was with wild man Stan Foster laying it down solid. And he can even play a concertina and a harmonica! AND! A bass and harmonica at the same time. I was half way expecting “wild man” to play the concertina and bass and the harmonica and sing all at once just to prove he could. Maybe next time.

Bass was right on all night. Solid brick work!

The show came to a close with a fun curtain call and a call to meet later on down the street to continue church. Thanks Pastor Rick for leading us in a couple of John Prine Hymns for this lovely Sunday evening church gathering.

God bless you my friend.”

– Fielding Pierce