It’s the discovery no one saw coming — a long-forgotten reel from 1994, buried deep in an old Nashville storage vault, now breathing new life into one of country music’s most beloved voices. For years, fans of Randy Owen, the legendary frontman of Alabama, believed every note he ever recorded had already been heard. But this week, music historians confirmed what can only be described as a Christmas miracle: a previously unreleased holiday song, recorded at the height of Alabama’s fame, has finally been found.
The track, titled “Christmas in My Hometown Again,” was recorded in late 1994, just before Alabama’s Christmas With The Country Boys TV special. According to producers, it was meant to be part of a charity compilation benefiting children’s hospitals — but due to label changes and scheduling conflicts, the song was never released and the tape quietly vanished.
Until now.
A Nashville archivist stumbled upon the original master tape earlier this year while cataloging material from RCA’s vaults. “It was unlabeled except for a handwritten note that said, ‘Randy – rough take, December ’94.’” said the archivist. “When we played it, the room went silent. You could hear the soul of a man who loved Christmas, home, and faith more than fame.”
The recording opens with a faint guitar hum and the gentle sound of a crackling fire. Then Randy’s unmistakable voice — warm, steady, and filled with tenderness — begins to sing:
“Snow’s fallin’ on the old church steeple,
Mama’s lightin’ candles for the people.
I’ve been gone too long,
Lord, take me home —
It’s Christmas in my hometown again.”
Fans who have heard early previews describe it as “hauntingly beautiful,” “pure Alabama heart,” and “the most emotional song Randy Owen ever recorded.” Unlike the arena-filling anthems that made him famous, this track is stripped-down and intimate — just a man, his guitar, and a prayer set to melody.
What makes it even more poignant is the timing. In the years following the recording, Randy faced personal challenges and health battles, yet his devotion to faith, family, and giving back never wavered. The rediscovery of this song feels, in many ways, like a message sent from his younger self — a reminder of what matters most when the world slows down at Christmas.
Industry insiders have confirmed that the restored track will be released digitally this December 2025, alongside a short documentary titled The Lost Christmas of Randy Owen, featuring never-before-seen photos, rehearsal footage, and heartfelt reflections from bandmates Teddy Gentry and Jeff Cook’s family.
As one longtime fan wrote online after hearing a snippet, “It’s not just a song — it’s a time capsule of love, loss, and faith. Randy’s voice still feels like home.”
After three silent decades, Randy Owen’s long-lost Christmas message is finally ready to be heard. And this time, the world is listening.