WASHINGTON, March 16, 2009—Randy Owen of Fort Payne, Alabama, has been chosen by the Development District Association of Appalachia (DDAA) to be the recipient of its first Donald R. Myers Humanitarian Award.

The award was dedicated by the DDAA in 2009 in memory of Donald Myers, who was the executive director of the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association and president of the Eastern Ohio Development Alliance. Known as a dedicated public servant and champion of the people of Appalachia, Myers exemplified the humanitarian spirit the award was created to recognize and honor.

Born and raised in Appalachia, Owen garnered fame as the lead singer of the legendary country music group Alabama and performs today as a solo artist. He continues to reside in Fort Payne and has maintained his strong bond to the Appalachian Region through numerous charitable activities. Those activities have included founding a series of concerts to raise funds for fire and police departments and school music and scholarship programs. The Fort Payne city school system alone has received over $400,000 since the first “June Jam” charitable concert.

Owen's charitable work also includes service to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Over $345 million dollars has been raised through the "Country Cares for St. Jude Kids" program Owen cofounded in 1989.

Owen has also supported the Alabama Sheriffs' Youth Ranches and the construction of the Kelly Owen Women and Children’s Pavilion at DeKalb Regional Medical Center in Fort Payne.