Harley Allen

The son of noted bluegrass musician Red Allen, who had performed with the trio Osbourne Brothers, Harley Allen has found considerable success as a performer and writer in his own right. With his brothers, he performed as the Allen Brothers, touring with them and appearing on several releases, including My Old Kentucky Home (1972), Sweet Rumors (1974), and Clara's Boys (1976). Relocating from Dayton, OH, to Nashville, Allen soon found work as a staff writer. Over the past two decades, he has had his songs recorded by acts such as George Jones, Alison Krauss, Linda Ronstadt, Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, and Hal Ketchum. John Michael Montgomery's version of Allen's "This Little Girl" was nominated for three Academy of Country Music Awards in 2001. That same year, Allen also participated in the soundtrack to O Brother, Where Art Thou? as a member of the Soggy Bottom Boys with Union Station guitarist Dan Tyminski and Pat Enright. The album was an out-of-nowhere success, selling several million copies and walking away with a Grammy for Album of the Year. Allen has also lent his vocals to sessions for other artists throughout the years, as well as recording several solo releases, including 2001's Live at the Bluebird. ~ Tom Demalon, All Music Guide