After two years of hoping and trying, a south Alabama band, The Springs, has gotten a major retailer to carry its music.

Last year, 65 percent of all CDs sold in the United States were sold at Wal-Mart stores, so getting in Wal-Mart stores is “a big deal,” said Randy Halcomb, The Springs band manager.

“Normally, only major record labels with national touring acts get a shot at selling their CDs at the national retailer. The Springs is not on a major label nor are they a national touring act – just yet.”

The Springs, which is made up of seven young people, has won several national awards but haven’t been able to get their CD out to the public until now.

The Springs was the ICMs “Youth Artist of the Month” in Nashville last year and is one of the nominees for “Vocal Group of the Year” for 2009.

Their CD has three Christian Country number one hits on it along with nine other songs.

“The Springs first release, ‘Mommy’s Little Man’ is a song about a single mom who is working two jobs just to make ends meet while raising her kids. It went to number one on three charts,” Halcomb said. “‘Are You an Angel’ about helping a family in need during the hard times, spent nine weeks on the mainstream Country Top 100, Music Row chart and will be played at Christmas time from now on.”

The Springs’ current single, “I Didn’t Find Jesus (He Found Me),” has already spent 10 weeks on the Top 100 Country chart and is currently moving up the chart even more.

“The last track on the CD we just had to put in because it’s part of who we are and where we come from,” Halcomb said. “The song is titled ‘Held in His Love’ and was written by one of the band members, Stewart Halcomb, the day after the tornado hit Enterprise High School. He was in the building when the school was destroyed and eight friends lost their lives. The song is dedicated to those friends and the Enterprise community.”

The Springs played at the 2009 CMA Fan Fair event in Nashville and are opening for Alan Jackson on Oct. 2 at Bay Fest in Mobile. They will also perform Nov. 4 at the National Peanut Festival in Dothan.

“The Springs are offering a different kind of country music, other than the ‘drinking’ and ‘partying’ songs that are being played today,” Halcomb said.

“Some radio stations say The Springs are too Christian for their stations but they are being played on about 600 stations throughout the United States and Europe.”