Just when you think popular music is beyond rescue,
along comes a new talent, electric with youthful energy and passion. His
name is Dee Allen, and with him he brings a multi-faceted sound that will
breathe life into melodic rock.
Allen’s unique style blends the loud guitars of KISS, infectious melodies
worthy of Fleetwood Mac, the depth and creative arrangements of Todd Rundgren,
and harmonies that would make the Eagles stop and listen. Add in his multi-octave
singing voice, mature songwriting skills, and his energetic stage presence,
and you have a complete musical package.
Born outside Nashville, Tennessee to musical parents (long-time Oak Ridge
Boys member Duane Allen, and Grand Ole Opry backup singer Norah Lee), Allen
literally grew up in the music industry. Though he began singing at an early
age, his initial dream was to be a comic book artist. At age 15, he picked
up a guitar and taught himself to play by listening to KISS and Rolling Stones
albums.
“The simple, melodic playing styles of Ace Frehley and Keith Richards
caught my attention,” says Allen. “I aspired to be like those
guys.” Within a year he decided to pursue it as a career. Inspired by
the movie Dead Poets Society and its theme, “Seize the Day,”
Allen discovered a need to leave his mark on the world, and music seemed
to be the best way. To that end, Allen formed a rock band, Feedback, with
whom he recorded two albums.
Later, deciding he should take advantage of his contacts and location, he
tried his hand at country with a group called the Blue Buffalo Band. Some
well-received showcases with the band led to discussions with several Nashville
record executives. Ironically, it was a meeting with MCA Nashville
President Tony Brown that steered Allen back toward his roots. “Even
in my country material, Tony could tell that my true love was rock &
roll,” says Dee. “He advised me to pursue it, because, as he said,
“rock will accept a poet at any age.” (His country experiences
came in handy in late ‘95, when he was asked to fill in for the Oak
Ridge Boys’ baritone singer, who had abruptly left the group.)
With a new focus, Allen began to mold his musical identity. He honed his
songwriting skills, developing a style which reflects his old-soul wisdom
and unique perspective on life. Working at his home studio, he combined his
diverse influences to create a sound that accomodates his love for both loud
guitars and pretty vocal arrangements. As a result, his music is simultaneously
fresh and familiar.
Dee Allen's mission (crusade?) is to bring melody, harmony, and lyrical depth
from the back burner of current pop into the forefront where they belong.
In his arsenal are songs that capture emotions that everyone feels, but express
them in new and intriguing ways. He says, “When I’m able to write
a song that captures exactly how I feel, and still have people say, ‘Oh
man, I can relate to that,’ then I feel like I’m doing it
right.”
