Allison may be small in stature compared to many of her idols, but she is making a pretty big name for herself on the country gig circuit. Coming from a small town and singing about her faith and family makes her an unlikely star, however, embracing the values of her upbringing has spoken to the hearts of America with her latest single “If heaven wasn’t so far away” (which was a tribute to her husband Blake who died earlier this year) reached number one in the billboard charts, she is to release her new album “Time for a little Country” Allison has slowed down from her crazy life to talk about the music, her life and her big dreams/ achievements.
What motivated you to pursue a career in the music industry?
I started playing music because there is nothing like it. There is such a fulfilling, exciting rush you get when you get to play live for people. It has always been my passion to play music because I love that with music you can make people smile, laugh and even cry whether it be tears of happiness or sorrow; the music is what makes you connect with them.
You have been singing from a young age and I am sure having been offered advice many times along your career. What is one piece of advice that always stuck with you?
The one piece of advice that has stuck with me was given to me by Randy Houser. He said “Never look in your rear view mirror” and at first I wasn’t sure what it could mean as it could mean something different to everyone but I think that to me it means don’t let the things that have happened to you in the past affect your future. I figured this out after my husband died at the beginning of the year as I wanted to give up my music career, but then I remembered this piece of advice, and it just hit me that I can’t let what’s happened affect what I want to do in the future, I have to keep moving forward, just like my husband would have wanted.
You are about to launch your album “Time for a little country”: what would you say inspired you or who was the inspiration for the tracks on the album?
You know what, as a songwriter what inspires me is everyday experiences that I go through. You write best about what you know, so that worked on the first album. I think people got a firm grasp of who I am as a person and as an artist which allowed us to branch out a little more with some of the tracks on this album do some different things. Just before every show my husband would say “Time for a little country” and that’s how the name of the album came about. I just remember the first time I went on stage I was so nervous and scared and my husband held my hand and said “It’s time for a little Country” and pulled me on stage after that I wasn’t scared anymore and if he didn’t say that I don’t think I would I have moved to Nashville and been where I am today.
The song “If Heaven wasn’t so far away” is your first love song, what or who would you say inspired you to write it?
Well, I would say that I decided to write it because earlier this year my husband passed away and he was my biggest hero and the one who pushed me to live my dream so I thought I would make this song as not only a tribute to him to thank him for all he has done for me.
If you weren’t such a big star today what would you be doing?
If I wasn’t a big star today I’d still be playing music for people whether it was in bars or at parties, Music has always been a big part of my life and the fact that I’m Just happy that now my music is touching more hearts than it did before but I would be happy even if I was just touching one heart because then I would know that someone out there understands my music and feels the way I feel.
If you could only do one or the other, would you choose live performances or studio recording?
Performing live performances definitely as I get to see the crowd’s reaction. I remember one when I was on the Blood sweat and beers tour and I sang the song “Till my last day” (which is the last song my husband and me wrote together before he died) and I just remember looking at the audience and seeing most of them in tears, feeling the way I did when I was writing the song
With my husband and how I feel every time I perform it. It was just the most amazing feeling ever, because then I knew that my music is in some way touching all of their hearts and means something to them, and this is what I wanted my music to do as I use my music to express myself to the world and make people feel how I feel
I have heard that you have started a you-tube video series; can you share the story behind these?
That started out because I was board one while out on our radio tour and my sister turned the camcorder on and I was just being stupid and acting like a moron and being myself. The funny thing is my fans love it and it keeps them coming to the website (www.Allison.com). We have a lot of fun with it, and it shows them more about me and what I’m about.
What advice can you offer to someone that is looking to break into the music industry?
Stay away from it. No, I’m just kidding I always tell people this in my shows. I grew up in a town of 300 people in Arkansas that no one has ever heard of and no one really cares about it. Not to be cheesy but if you have a dream you just have to go for it. I Mean I am from a town of 300 people and I played on the stage at the grand Ole Opry in front of over 4,000 people. I didn’t want to wake up when I was 35 years old and wonder what if I had moved to Nashville and chased my dreams. Everyone in this business is a regular person we just have cool jobs now and if you go for it and make it then great, and if you don’t then you won’t have to wonder what if you did. My husband always told me “The past is history, the futures a mystery but the presents a gift, you mustn’t take for granted” and that’s what I live by.
Allison thank you for taking time out to talk to TCB, I have enjoyed our time talking and hope you have lots of success with your music career. I hope to see you again.
No its ok I do it for my fans, they’re the ones that keep me going.
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