On October 25th in Kansas City, Missouri, Randy and Kelly Owen were honored with one of the American Hereford Association’s (AHA) highest distinctions — the Hall of Merit Award. Presented annually to individuals whose vision and integrity have profoundly influenced the Hereford breed and the wider cattle industry, the award stands as a tribute to a lifetime of quiet, unwavering work rooted in love for the land and the animals they’ve devoted themselves to.
Long before the spotlight of country music made him a household name, Randy Owen — the voice of the legendary band Alabama — was, and remains, a farmer at heart. Alongside his wife Kelly, he has spent decades tending to the pastures of their Tennessee River Music Ranch in Fort Payne, Alabama, where they raise registered Hereford and Angus cattle.
Their ranch is more than just an agricultural operation — it’s a living reflection of the Owens’ values: faith, family, responsibility, and respect for creation. Every acre of land and every animal is cared for with the same attention to detail and compassion that Randy brings to his music.
Beyond their personal achievements, the Owens have become champions for youth in agriculture, supporting and mentoring countless young farmers through organizations like 4-H and FFA. Their generosity, time, and example have inspired a new generation to take pride in working the land — a legacy as enduring as any hit song.
In presenting the award, AHA officials praised the couple for their “lifelong commitment to excellence, stewardship, and the advancement of American agriculture,” noting that their work “bridges tradition and innovation in ways that uplift both the industry and the people it serves.”
For Randy and Kelly, the recognition is both humbling and deeply personal. “This is home for us,” Randy said. “The land, the cattle, the people — they’ve always been part of who we are. Music took me around the world, but this… this is where my heart’s always been.”
As applause filled the Kansas City ballroom, it was clear the honor extended far beyond agriculture. It was a celebration of two lives lived with purpose — proof that fame may fade, but faithfulness endures.
From the stage to the pasture, Randy and Kelly Owen have built a legacy that blends song, soil, and soul — and now, with their place in the AHA Hall of Merit, that legacy will stand tall for generations to come.