Ex- Alabama lead guitarist Jeff Cook has not stopped playing since Alabama officially broke up in 2004. Cook's Allstar Goodtime Band is a nine piece group including himself that he handpicked to target fairs, festivals, casinos and very diverse types of music that Cook calls "Funtry" music. The AGB is filled with a very talented veteran bunch of musicians.

Their album, Ashes Won't Burn, is a mix of cover songs like "Knockin' On Heaven's Door", "Mist Of Desire", "Brick House" (Commodores), Free's "All Right Now", an excellent version of the Beatles' "I Feel Fine". Honestly, I was surprised as I listened to the CD a few times, really was not what I was expecting. It is definitely a funky, rockin' album. This group probably puts on a great live show.

Along with Cook, Larry Hanson, also from Alabama, plays guitar, sax, keyboards and trumpet. Lead guitarist Link Detten Has been a pro entertainer for over twenty years, both solo and in many other bands. RK Brown began his career young,  hitting the road at 16 years of age playing bass for artists like Curtis Mayfield, Clint Black, Charlie Pride and many others.

The CD is on Quest Records label and is available for download on iTunes and on Cook's website. The only other project I reviewed of Cook's was a Cracker Barrel Restaurant release of Unreleased Songs From Alabama's Farewell Tour. I basically missed Alabama's career, not listening to secular music, but only church music in the eighties when they were super hot. I remember a gal that I worked with, loved Alabama, and I loved country music, but wasn't familiar with much, but their big hits. I really enjoyed The Cracker Barrel release, The band sounded great, it was a very good recording. I remember listing the musicians wrong and I got an e-mail from a Jeff Cook, He said, you are not very familiar with Alabama, are you? I confessed that I was not, and he told me that I had a couple of the musicians playing wrong instruments. I e-mailed Jeff back, not knowing who it was, until I went to fix the problem and saw Jeff Cook, I had to laugh at myself. Basically, this is a bunch of super talented musicians that click very well. It sounds like they enjoy what they are doing. So, you Jeff Cook/Alabama fans, go on and pick up a copy.