Southern Delaware native Jimmie Allen may not be a household name yet, but the singers ‘never give up’ attitude may be just what it takes for him to make it in Country Music. He will open the show for David Nail this Saturday (11/18) at Thirsty Cowboy in Medina.
Allen first was recognized for his performing when he appeared on season 10 of American Idol. He later when on to perform at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, wrote a song that was featured in a Super Bowl commercial, appeared in a Diet Coke ad with superstar Taylor Swift and toured around the world for an Armed Forces Entertainment tour of Japan. But now with the BBR (Broken Bow Records) Music Group debut of his self-titled EP, a lifetime of never giving up has brought him full circle.
Allen’s EP, is a mix of country, rock, R&B, and pop produced by Ash Bowers and Eric Torres. “Underdogs” and “Best Shot” give Allen a chance to show his true story telling in song, while “Back Home to You,” “Back of Your Mind,” and “Blue Jean Baby” find the singer-songwriter reflecting on his journey to the spotlight.
Allen’s journey included a series of bad breaks when he was forced to live in his car. For months he worked multiple jobs and finally saved enough for an apartment, but then found out that country music wasn’t ready for him.
“People were just trying to help,” he says now. “But they wanted me to change my sound and told me I had to lose my boots. The turning point came when I stopped listening, and finally let my music be a natural reflection of who I am.”
Since that time Allen has found to stay true to himself – and the music on his new EP is ironically the same sound that he had when he first came to Nashville.
“I don’t regret it,” he explained. “I think each thing you do adds a layer, whether it’s a layer of toughness, perseverance, motivation, or just a layer of wisdom. At the end of the day you come back to what you know, and what’s embedded in you.”
Even though Allen has been signed to a record deal and seems to be on his way, those days of bad breaks make it so much more important for him to keep moving forward everyday.
“To me it means to explore every part of your heart that desires to do something,” he says. “No matter what it is. Take a chance and never stop until you figure out where you’re supposed to be.”
Jimmie Allen will open the show for David Nail on Saturday, Nov. 18 at Thirsty Cowboy in Medina. Tickets are $20 and available at ThirstyCowboy.com. Doors open at 7pm, Allen performs at 8:30pm and Nail takes the stage at 10pm.
