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Old Dominion took a meaningful moment to pay tribute to a late music legend when they took the Bridgestone Arena stage during the 56th annual CMA Awards on Wednesday night (November 9). The band honored Jeff Cook, co-founder of Alabama, during their acceptance speech after winning the Vocal Group of the Year award.
Matthew Ramsey, lead singer of Old Dominion, took note of the legends the world has lost this year, including Cook, who died on Monday (November 7) “with his family and close friends by his side at his beach home in Destin, Florida,” a statement shared by Alabama confirmed on Tuesday (November 8). The vocalist, guitar and fiddle player battled Parkinson’s disease for nearly a decade. He revealed his diagnosis publicly in 2017. Per the statement shared by Alabama, “Cook was a champion in all he attempted and he courageously faced his battle with a positive attitude.”
Other country stars remembered Cook on their social media channels with memories and tributes on Tuesday, including Brad Paisley, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, The Oak Ridge Boys, Travis Tritt, Tim McGraw and more. Alabama’s statement read that “Jeffrey Alan Cook will always be thankful for his loving family, many close friends and especially... his FANS.”