Southern Man (song)
Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd wrote their song "Sweet Home Alabama" in response to "Southern Man" and "Alabama" from Young's 1972 album "Harvest". Young has said that he is a fan of both "Sweet Home Alabama" and Ronnie Van Zant, the lead vocalist for Lynyrd Skynyrd. "They play like they mean it," Young said in 1976. "I'm proud to have my name in a song like theirs." Young has also been known to play "Sweet Home Alabama" in concert occasionally. To demonstrate this camaraderie, Van Zant frequently wore a Neil Young "Tonight's the Night" T-shirt while performing "Sweet Home Alabama". Crazy Horse bassist Billy Talbot can often be seen reciprocating by wearing a Jack Daniel's-styled Lynyrd Skynyrd T-shirt (including at the "Live Rust" concert).
Alison McCreary
McCreary was Alabama's representative at the Miss America 1997 pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in September 1996. Her competition talent was singing the gospel hymn "How Great Thou Art". She was third runner-up for the national title and received a $15,000 scholarship prize. She also won the Quality of Life award and an additional $10,000 scholarship for her community service work related to hospice care. Her reign as Miss Alabama continued until Beth Stomps was crowned on June 14, 1997.