JEFFREY ALAN COOK

Jeff Cook was born in Fort Payne, Alabama, on August 27, 1949.  At an early age Jeff's father and grandfather encouraged his interest in fishing and music.  Although his formal training consisted of only three piano lessons, by age thirteen he was playing lead guitar in his first band, The Viscounts.  Continuing through the youthful years, he formed several other bands during high school, including J. C. & The Chosen Few (which was later mentioned in the song Tar Top).

Although he does not read music, Jeff's proficiency earned him recognition in the 1986 Guitar Player Magazine poll as "one of the three top guitarists in the country".  His musical talents include playing guitar, bass, fiddle, banjo, piano and other keyboards, as well as being an accomplished solo vocalist.

Jeff attended Gadsden State Community College in Gadsden, Alabama, where he earned an electronics degree.  While pursuing a career in electronics, he and distant cousins Teddy Gentry and Randy Owen formed the band Young Country, later known as Wildcountry.

Wildcountry worked seven summers as house band for the Bowery in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where they earned their living playing for tips while polishing their superb vocal harmonies and stage presence.  After obtaining a recording contract with the ill-fated GRT label, they changed the band name to ALABAMA and their climb to fame among country music's all-time greats has been historic.  To date, ALABAMA has released 21 albums and have accumulated 42 #1 singles.

As lead guitarist and a founding member of ALABAMA, Jeff has collected 2 Grammys, 21 American Music Awards, 8 Entertainer of the Year Awards from the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music, and the coveted Artists of the Decade award from the Academy of Country Music for the 1980s.  On October 6, 1998, he and fellow band members received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to commemorate their accomplishments and contributions to country music.  They were also honored by the industry for having achieved more #1 singles than any other group or solo performer in history, in any field of music.

And for Jeff the awards don't stop there...due to Jeff's devotion to fishing and his efforts to benefit children's charities through bass fishing tournaments in his home state, the last three Alabama governors have named him Alabama State Fishing Ambassador.  He also enjoys skeet shooting and has participated in several celebrity shooting events for charity. 

Even with the busy schedule, Jeff has been finding time to design and build custom guitars, under the JCS and STINGER brands.  This year he is also entering the amplifier market with his STINGER brand of custom guitar and bass amps.

When you can't find him at a fishing lake, in the guitar shop, or in the studio - then you have only two other places to look.  Jeff and Lisa will either be relaxing at their homes in Alabama and Florida, or Jeff will be cooking up a "great meal" as he is a gourmet chef...and he is always looking for new recipes - Japanese is his favorite.