Song written by Randy Owen was recorded by the country band, Alabama, for the RCA label, was recorded on April 16, 1980, at LSI Studio, Pyramid’s Eye, Music Mill, Nashville, TN, with the production of Harold Shedd, Larry McBride & Alabama, the song was released on May 16, 1980. On August 16, 1980, it reached # 1 on the lists of US Hot Country Songs, and remained 17 weeks in the charts, also reached number # 1 of the Canadian RPM Country Tracks lists, on September 13, 1980. It was the first number one for the band.
The song was included in the fourth studio album and first for RCA, My Home’s in Alabama (RCA 1980), the album was released in May 1980 and re-released on September 15, 1998. On the charts of U.S. Top Country Albums, reached number # 3, and the lists of Canadian RPM Country Albums, reached # 1. The album was certified double platinum, selling more than two million copies.
The country music historian Bill Malone, in his essay included in the notes for classical country music: a Smithsonian collection, noted that “Tennessee River” was among those songs in which “they exhibit a deep love for their state and region. … and in the unpretentious sense of the place and the loyalty to the home and family that they show in their lives and personal performances. “ Other songs from his repertoire, such as “My Home’s in Alabama”, “Song of the South” and “Born Country”, in addition to his Christmas song “Christmas in Dixie”, would exhibit those same feelings.