The band Alabama will tour for the first time in more than a decade, with their first concerts planned for April 5-6 in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

The title of their Back to the Bowery tour is a reference to the dive bar where they first played in 1973. The upcoming dates in Myrtle Beach will take place at the Alabama Theatre. Although they reunited for a 2011 tornado relief concert in Birmingham, Ala., this will be the band's first tour since 2002.

"I'm so excited to celebrate 40 years since our first show at the Bowery," says lead vocalist Randy Owen. "We still love one another, have played music together all these years and are blessed to still be around. Most importantly, we are ever grateful for the fans, many having been with us since we used to play for tips, so to be able to go back out and play for them will make this a very special year."

Owen will join bassist Teddy Gentry and guitarist-fiddler Jeff Cook for the series of concerts, currently scheduled through Oct. 12. More shows will be announced at a later date. In addition, the band will host a cruise, titled Alabama and Friends Festival at Sea, departing from Miami on Oct. 24.

Back to the Bowery tour dates include:

April 5-6: Myrtle Beach, S.C.

April 26: Wallingford, Conn.

April 27: Rama, Ontario

May 1: Westbury, N.Y.

May 17: Atlanta

July 5: Orange Beach, Ala.

Aug. 30: Highland Park, Ill.

Aug. 31: Hinckley, Minn.

Oct. 4-5: Minot, N.D.

Oct. 12: Thackerville, Okla.