If you’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing Deborah Allen perform, you know she’s unforgettable! An extraordinarily talented singer, songwriter, producer and performer, her unique abilities are matched only by her vibrant enthusiasm and creativity. The Memphis-born artist has enjoyed a remarkably diverse career that’s carried her to the heights of both country and pop success, and brought her fans around the world.
Although she began her career as an artist on Capitol Records, it was her switch to RCA that brought Deborah genuine recognition when she released her signature smash, “Baby I Lied.” The hit song – with which she’s still identified everywhere she goes — crossed over onto three different charts and earned Deborah double Grammy nominations for her vocals and her songwriting. This was followed by more hits as “I’ve Been Wrong Before,” “I Hurt for You” and “Heartache and a Half.”
But Deborah also made a point to concentrate on perfecting her songwriting. She’s had numerous hits by other artists, including Patty Loveless, LeAnn Rimes, Tanya Tucker, Sheena Easton, Isaac Hayes, Diana Ross, Fleetwood Mac and more. She has also placed songs in films and soundtracks such as “The Thing Called Love” and “Coyote Ugly.”
For Deborah, songwriting remains one of the most consistent aspects of her career and one that is every bit as satisfying as the performance element.
“Waking up in the morning with a blank piece of paper and by sundown having a song written on it is an amazing feeling,” she says. “For me, it’s definitely one of the most rewarding parts of my career.”
Deborah’s newest album is called Hear Me Now, and it allowed her to be involved in every aspect of the songwriting, recording and production process from start to finish. Allen wrote or co-wrote every song on the project, including the CD’s first single, “Anything Other Than Love,” written with award-winning BMI songwriter of the year Gary Burr.
As expected, Hear Me Now draws from the deep well of Deborah’s own Delta influences: Memphis soul, Graceland gospel, Delta blues and of course, Nashville country. As Deborah explains, Hear Me Now is an album that fits “somewhere between Memphis and Nashville.” It’s who she is and where she’s been, and it celebrates all sides of her musical personality.
More importantly, though, Deborah Allen remains true to her vision in every facet of her remarkable career. From her discovery by Roy Orbison to her friendship with Shel Silverstein, her work with Prince, and her current release, Hear Me Now, Deborah creates art entirely on her own terms. With a distinguished career built on her success as a performer, songwriter and producer, the dynamic Delta singer from Memphis, Tennessee, has no plans of slowing down anytime soon.