Alabama signed a recording contract with RCA Records in 1980 launching a career that to date has resulted in 21 gold, platinum and multi-platinum albums, 42 number one singles and over 65 million records sold. Alabama has received over 150 industry awards including 8 country music "Entertainer of the Year" honors, 2 Grammys, 2 Peoples Choice Awards and their very own star on the "Hollywood Walk of Fame." They were named the "Artist of the Decade" by the Academy of Country Music in 1989 and "Country Group of the Century" by the Recording Industry Association of America in 1999. Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry, Jeff Cook and Mark Herndon are also known for their charitable endeavors. Alabama has received the Bob Hope, Minnie Pearl and Country Radio Broadcasters' Humanitarian Awards and the B.M.I. President's Trophy for their public service contributions. Randy Owen was on hand to receive the President's Award which has only been presented three other times. Alabama has also been the recipient of 23 American Music Awards since 1983, including their prestigious Award of Merit.