I'm Randy Allen, I'll be taking you through my journey into the music.
Born November 25, 1966 with the name Randall Wayne Cooke
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At a young age I found myself listening to the radio and the first song I ever connected with was George Jones " He Stopped Loving Her Today ". It was a dark time at the age of 6 and the youngest of three other siblings. My parents were going through tough times and divorce.
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So, I could relate to George & Tammy's "D-I-V-O-R-C-E" and I found myself singing these words and they just made me think because of what I was experiencing seeing this happening to my Mom and Dad.
Listening to Hank, Loretta, Dolly, Tammy, Merle, Waylon, I new I wanted to sing songs and tell the stories of how I was feeling.
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It wasn't till years later I would try and persue my dreams to become a singer/songwriter. At the age of 22, I wrote my first song. My dad didn't like the idea of me chasing this dream. He use to pick and play over at Aurthur Smiths Studio and even played out and told me it was no life that I should find a job that came with a paycheck.
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So, I wrote this song called "Trust In Me -Daddy" recorded by my good friend Dick McVey a producer I met in Nashville Tn. He told me things about the music business and also told me I should visit one of his dear friends Judy Rodman.
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He gave me the tools and info that would take me on an amazing journey. I went back to NC with the track I recorded and worked with the vocals. Still green and not having the skills needed, I went to Judy Rodman who would get me on the path to vocal performance.
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1996 I formed my first cover band Heartland Express. I learned quick that it was much tougher working with a band and the pay wasn't great. After a couple years together, we decided we had different ideas and paths and went our separate ways.
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I took a job driving Long haul with a friend out to California. When we'd layover I would find a club to go sing at. I found myself entertaining for hours as long as they'd let me sing. I heard of a contest happening in Seymour Tn at Big Mama's for a recording deal. So I got back home and put together my best 3 songs. Two covers and Original song I wrote. Two months later I received a letter stating I was one of the winners who won a 10 song recording package. All I was obligated to pay for was copies of the CD after we recorded the tracks.
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