Fans of veteran country band Alabama had to wait nearly two decades for the band to deliver its first gospel album, but they aren`t waiting long for the follow-up. On the heels of last year`s successful 'Songs of Inspiration,' RCA Records is issuing 'Songs of Inspiration, Vol. II' on March 27.

Alabama lead vocalist Randy Owen says the group had long wanted to record a gospel collection, and he was thrilled at the album`s reception. "These are songs that have been hits for hundreds of years," Owen says of the gospel classics they chose for both volumes. "You`re stepping onto hallowed ground when you are recording music that has been done so beautifully."

"I wanted to make it authentic and very much like the way I heard [these songs] when I was a kid, when my daddy and mama and aunts and uncles would all sing together," he says.

'Songs of Inspiration' was released last fall and was Alabama`s first new album in more than five years. It debuted at No. 1 on Billboard`s Top Country Albums, Top Christian/Gospel Albums and Top Current Contemporary Christian charts. It marked the first time an Alabama title debuted at No. 1 since the inception of Nielsen SoundScan in 1991. The project has sold 157,000 units, according to SoundScan.

The albums are distributed to the general market via Sony BMG and being worked to Christian retail through Sony BMG`s Christian arm Provident Music Group. Though it might seem unusual to release a second volume just a few months later when there is still so much life in the first release, RCA Records VP of marketing/artist development Jon Elliot says the plan was a "one-two punch. We wanted to get one release out in time for Thanksgiving/Christmas last year and this one out in time for Easter this year and give them the whole year to sell."

Gospel albums by country artists are selling extremely well these days. Alan Jackson`s 2006 'Precious Memories' has been certified platinum, and the compilation 'Believe,' featuring country artists doing faith-based songs, has moved 90,000 units, according to Nielsen SoundScan. "With the success of the Alan Jackson album we knew there was a fan base out there of country music fans that want gospel music," Elliot says. "So the timing has been really good for Alabama."

Sales of the band`s first gospel project were boosted by an appearance on QVC, and the second volume will get the same exposure. Owen has also been highly visible as a judge on this season`s "Nashville Star" talent competition on USA Network. He recently taped "Front Row Live," an hourlong concert featuring music from the 'Inspiration' projects that will air on the Gospel Music Channel, and he was a guest during a recent taping for Southern gospel patriarch Bill Gaither`s popular DVD series as well.

'Songs of Inspiration, Vol. II' includes several classics along with two originals. Special guest Riders in the Sky joins Alabama on "Love Lifted Me" and the Del McCoury Band appears on "Will the Circle Be Unbroken."

Owen says the gospel albums were a joy to produce. "To work with the greatest musicians in the world and have them understand your vision immediately, what your feelings are and what direction you want to take the project, it`s really a unique situation," he says.

After a lifetime as the frontman for Alabama, Owen is working on his first solo album. It will be a country record, and he says longtime manager Dale Morris is looking for a label home for the project. "It`s another great opportunity," he says. "It`s something that I have wanted to do for 25 years."

Taken from M&C