DEE ALLEN BIOGRAPHY
"You know he's a star, don't you?"
-Arista executive, after
seeing Allen perform live
When describing the average platinum-selling, heavy-rotation
recording artist of today, what words come to mind? Do you immediately think
"inspired", "innovative", or "genuine"? Dee Allen doesn't think so either,
and he intends to do something about it.
"So much of what we hear on the radio today seems like a color-by-numbers
marketing exercise, instead of an inspired piece of creative expression,"
Allen says. "It's not that anyone needs to reinvent the wheel, but I think
we should care enough to write songs that you can't sing all the way through
the first time you hear them."
Best described as "arena rock with harmonies",
Dee's music draws from a broad palette of
influences. Start with a two-guitar rock band (Rolling Stones, Foo Fighters),
add a danceable beat (Prince), soaring vocal arrangements (Todd Rundgren,
King's X), and a touch of the unexpected (Peter Gabriel). His lyrics reveal
an old soul searching for the authentic in a world obsessed with image. His
live performances have elicited comparisons ranging from Elvis to John Mayer.
Born near
Nashville
to musical parents (Oak Ridge Boy 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, however, his path was set when he picked up a guitar and
taught himself to play by listening to KISS and Def Leppard records. He wrote
his first song at age 16.
Dee's musical journey has been memorable,
to say the least. He was a fixture on the
Nashville
club scene for many years, both as a solo artist and with his band, Tall
Dark Stranger. He was asked to step in as the baritone singer for the Oak
Ridge Boys in 1995, touring with them and appearing on their TNN series,
"Live From Las Vegas".
Allen has organized numerous benefit concerts, performing with artists like
Big & Rich, John Cowan (New Grass Revival), and Billy Yates. Allen has
spent the last several years performing in
Branson,
MO, where he quickly became
a fan favorite. "My experiences in Branson have definitely made me a better
singer and entertainer. When you do two shows a day, year-round, you quickly
learn to sing the right way, or you won't have a voice left." He can currently
be seen in the Branson Brothers Show. Dee Allen's musical goal is simple:
to lead, and not to follow. "The only thing of value an artist can offer
is what's true to his heart. The only thing an artist can control is the
quality of the work. If I handle my end of the bargain, the music will always
find its audience."
