I was born in Charlotte, NC to Robert Earl and Martha Houck Cooke with the given name Randall Wayne Cooke. My parents frequently caught me standing around our stereo “console” singing along with various artists. I would entertain the family for hours with these performances. Over the years I began to wonder if singing was to be my chosen path. I would sit for hours with melodies running through my mind while I was jotting down lyrics on whatever paper was near.
Family is very important to me and driving a big rig has been my primary way of supporting my family thus far. Music has always been my passion and singing has been my outlet. I strive to be making music full time. In 1999, I formed Randy Allen and Heartland Express. I combined my nickname, Randy, along with my brother’s name Allen, to create a more natural ring when announced on stage. We played clubs, small venues, weddings and such around Charlotte. Monty, the band leader, and I would schedule shows and rehearsals as much as possible. We played Friday and Saturday nights in and around NC and SC. In 2003, we came to the conclusion that our journey together had came to an end.
Meanwhile, I continued to write music and sing, which is what I loved. I sent some of my work to Dick McVey in Nashville and he invited me to meet with him. We talked about music, my career goals and my ability to make it in the music business. He emphasized that it was a long hard road and I stressed my commitment level. We promptly scheduled my first recording session. In 2003, I recorded my first album, "Guide Me Through”.
My personal life, real experiences and my friends do influence my songwriting. I wrote the song “Trust In Me (Daddy)” about my real life struggle with starting a music career. My dad would worry about me having a steady job, raising my family and singing my music. Somehow I just could not mute the music in my head.
In 2009, I released my second album “Trust in Me”. I recorded this album because I wanted to cover some of my favorite songs by the artists that were popular in my youth. There are also two of the original songs off the first album that were never released. I am currently working with Judy Rodman who wrote “One Way Ticket” for Leann Rimes. Today I am giving it my all and hoping for my big break. Give me a listen, and then give me a chance.
Signed with KMA Records November 20, 2009
CD available @ www.cdbaby.com and @ www.randyallen.net
Contact: RTREntertainment@randyallen.net
3702 Cactus Lane Denver, NC 28037
Ph: 704.913.4395
Home » Life Randy Allen celebrates CD release on KMA label with local concert Lincoln Times-News
Contributed by Randy Allen of Denver who has a country music CD being released by KMA. He celebrates the new album with a performance on Friday at 7 pm at the Citizens Center in Lincolnton. Denver resident and country music singer Randy Allen celebrates his first record label CD release with a special performance on Friday evening in Lincolnton. Allen didn’t pick up a guitar until the age of 28, and already, he’s released two albums. However, his new album, "Up Above It All," will be his first with KMA records of Nashville, Tenn. Allen received a contract deal with the Indie label in 2009, a year after he won a singing contest with Big Mama’s Recording Studio in Seymour, Tenn. He came across the contest while searching for recording studios online. He entered the contest and won. He was then invited to sing at Big Mama’s during an eight-hour studio block. During his initial meeting with the recording studio, Allen quickly laid down 10 tracks for his debut CD "Trust in Me". The CD included two original tracks and eight cover songs from his favorite country musicians/artists. Allen initially went to Nashville in 2003 where he met publicist Dick McVey, who introduced him to Judy Rodman. She is the songwriter of one of Leann Rime’s most famous hits, "One Way Ticket". Randy still works with Judy today. The title track from "Trust in Me" was written to Allen’s father, begging him for approval to "trust in him and see him through" his musical pursuit. "He didn’t believe I should be chasing a dream," Allen said. He particularly noted his father’s contempt for his son’s picking up a guitar at nearly 30 years old. Allen sees no timeline when it comes to pursuing one’s passion. Allen encourages amateur musicians to run towards their life goals without surrender. "It doesn’t matter how old you are," he said. "You got a dream — follow it." His love for country music was acquired from legendary George Jones and other country music icons . However, he noted that his newest CD captures traditional sounds similar to Alan Jackson and George Strait. The album’s first release, "Daddy," was written about Denver resident and co-writer Tracy Carrell’s experience with losing his father at a young age. "He didn’t get to know him," Allen said. "It’s about losing a loved one but gaining a friend. You always know you’re gonna end up back with your loved ones later on in life." Allen’s two opening acts for Friday’s show include country singer and Mt. Holly native Crystal Capps as well as the band Equinox, an alternative-rock group out of Belmont who filled in for The James Younger Gang after the band cancelled following one of their members surprise departure from the group. In addition to receiving fans’ feedback and reaction to his songs, Allen noted that his favorite part of performing is simply "the thrill." To this day, he continues to study and write music alongside Rodman and knows exactly why his heart is fond of the country genre. "I like the sound and the feel," Allen revealed. "I can put my feelings to work…and let people know how I feel." A portion of the show’s ticket sales will be donated to Hospice & Palliative Care of Lincoln County. Allen was motivated to give back to the local facility after they greatly aided him and his family through the passing of his mother who had been fighting terminal cancer. Show time is from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday at the James W. Warren Citizen Center.
— Jenna-Ley Harrison, staff writer
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