In the world of country music, the band Alabama stands as a pillar of harmony, tradition, and brotherhood. But behind the decades of chart-topping hits and sold-out arenas lies a bond that ran much deeper than music — the friendship between Teddy Gentry and Jeff Cook. Recently, Teddy opened up in a deeply emotional moment to reflect on the man who was more than a bandmate — he was family.
Jeff Cook, Alabama’s founding guitarist and fiddle player, passed away in 2022 after a long and private battle with Parkinson’s disease. For Teddy, the loss wasn’t just professional — it was personal. The two had grown up together in Fort Payne, Alabama, dreaming of making music that would one day echo across the nation. They didn’t just share a stage; they shared life’s triumphs and trials from the very beginning.
Speaking in a recent interview, Teddy recalled their earliest days:
“Jeff was always the spark — he brought energy into every room, every rehearsal, every show. He could make you laugh even on the worst days. But he also had this quiet strength. You could count on him.”
As Alabama rose to fame in the late ’70s and early ’80s, Jeff’s contributions to the group’s sound were unmistakable. His signature guitar licks and electric fiddle gave life to classics like “Mountain Music,” “Dixieland Delight,” and “If You’re Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band).” But beyond his musicianship, Teddy remembers the small, human moments — the long bus rides, the hunting trips, the quiet prayers before a show.
Jeff’s illness changed things, but it didn’t break their bond. “Even when he had to step back from performing,” Teddy shared, “he was still there. In our hearts. In every note we played.”
Teddy now carries Jeff’s memory into every performance. It’s not just about playing Alabama’s music — it’s about honoring the legacy of a friend who helped build it from the ground up. “Every time we hit that stage,” Teddy says, “I feel him. He’s with us — he always will be.”
In remembering Jeff Cook, Teddy Gentry doesn’t just mourn a loss — he celebrates a life that helped define an era of country music. A life full of laughter, loyalty, and songs that still make hearts sing today.
