Alabama lead singer Randy Owen's solo career kicks into high gear with a new album in the works and a debut single, "Braid My Hair" set to hit the radio airwaves in two weeks. It will officially be at radio on Jan. 21.

"I'm as excited about this as I've ever been," Owen said. "Before I decided to do the solo thing, we put a band together and did some dates late last year to see if the fans were still out there. When I came back I was totally convinced we needed to do this."

Written by Chris Gray and Brent Wilson, "Braid My Hair" is the first song either writer has ever had released as a single. Gray had been a teacher in a children's hospital, helping the kids keep up with their schoolwork while they were in treatment for cancer and other conditions. He often witnessed the side effects of chemotherapy and knew kids - especially girls - wanted to be able to braid their hair again.

"I listened to the song four or five times and thought, 'Wow, what a song,'" Owen said. "The song is so real, and I've seen this lived out time and time again with the kids at St. Jude. It's an incredible story done in song."

Publishing royalties from the song will be donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Produced by John Rich, of Big & Rich fame, Owen's album - "One on One" - will hit stores this spring on the newly-formed DMP Records.

Labels: John Rich, Randy Owen