SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: JOSH ALLEN OF THE ALLEN FAMILY
SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:
* Interviews have returned!!! After a long hiatus, I will have more interviews on the way!!
JOSH ALLEN OF THE ALLEN FAMILY
Josh Allen is the third born and second son of Todd & Michelle Allen. The multi talented Allen sings bass for his family's group as well as acting in Christian films. You can currently see him in the new film Providence. Here is a deeper look into the life and career of Josh Allen!!
Justin Gilmore: How did you get your start in Southern Gospel Music?
Josh Allen: When I was only one year old, my family started on the road in full-time ministry. So I’ve literally grown up singing Southern Gospel music. I love the music, from it’s roots in traditional hymns and spirituals, to the modern sound that emerged at the turn of the new century. My family likes to combine the various sounds of Southern Gospel to create a concert that everyone can enjoy and be blessed by.
When we started, I’d come up on stage and only sing a song or two. Then as I got older, I was given larger parts until inevitably, my voice changed when I was about fourteen. When that traumatic experience ended, (It was pretty rough), my voice settled to a bass register. Now I supply all the bass vocals for the group while sometimes jumping up to a baritone or lead.
Gilmore: What a great intro! Who are your musical influences?
Allen: First and foremost are my parents. Over the years, they’ve poured into me a wealth of musical and spiritual knowledge from their academic training and experience. They have influenced me the most, without a doubt, and I love them dearly.
Also, our family has been blessed to sing with many artists that we’ve looked up to for years. Groups like The Talleys, The Hoppers, The Whisnants, The Greenes, Greater Vision, and many more! The advice and encouragement their members have given me has blessed me more then they will ever know. I consider them to be the Southern Gospel heroes of this generation!
Gilmore: Awesome! Who is one of your favorite bass singers?
Allen: One of my favorite bass singers in Southern Gospel has always been Jeremy Lile, formally of Brian Free and Assurance. I’ve often marveled at his impressive vocal ability, and I sing along to their CD’s often to help stretch my own range. I was sorry to hear he had to leave for health reasons. My prayers are with him and his family.
Gilmore: Lyle is an great bass and I share your thoughts on his departure. What is the lowest bass note you can hit?
Allen: Currently my range is something like C1-F4. I doubt my voice will get much higher, but it does seem to get lower every year.
Gilmore: Great! Who are your favorite groups?
Allen: Well, I’ve already listed a few. I’m also a big fan of The Booth Brothers, Jason Crabb, David Phelps, and Triumphant Quartet!
Gilmore: What has been the best part of traveling with your family?
Allen: Probably seeing how a life of faith is supposed to be lived. My parents trust God for everything. We have big needs, but they rely on him completely to meet them. Our 20 year journey on the road hasn’t always been easy, in fact it has hardly ever been easy, but living it has greatly impacted my Christian walk.
Gilmore: What is your favorite song to sing?
Allen: It changes all the time, but right now my favorite song to sing is my family’s, He Is Able / Jesus Saves medley, from our album Hope for Tomorrow. The arrangement starts smooth with beautiful harmonies, then builds into a magnificent piece that calls us to worship.
Gilmore: What is your favorite Bible verse?
Allen: I could never narrow it down to one verse, but likely my favorite chapter is John 1!
Gilmore: What is something people might not know about you?
Allen: I love hiking! On trails or up mountains, I just love it! I have an eccentric adventurers’s spirit that I’ve indulged often out in God’s creation!
Gilmore: Awesome! What is the most memorable experience you’ve had in your years of singing Gospel music?
Allen: That is an extremely difficult question! I could spend all day talking about the various moments from the road and stage! I don’t know that I could ever narrow it down to just one most memorable moment, but I can share one that would be high on the list.
When I was about fifteen years old, my family was singing in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, at “Singing in the Sun”. This was one of our first times to attend the event and we were not yet featured on the evening stage. I believe it was the second night of the event, the grand finale was just beginning. I was standing by the side of the stage enjoying the music when I saw, Tony Greene, of The Greenes, walking toward the stage. All of the sudden, he looked my way and motioned for me to join him. I was absolutely terrified as he took me by the arm and brought me on stage. He set me between himself, his wife Taranda, and Gerald Wolfe of Greater Vision. Everyone was singing along with, The Hoppers, to their song, “Yes I Am”. I was just trying to stay in the background and mind my own business, but Gerald Wolfe decided it would be great if I sang one of the solo lines. He asked me if I could do it, to which I replied, “No”! The last thing I wanted was to make my presence known on this stage full of singers I’d looked up to for years, in front of an audience of 2,000 people! But it mattered not what I wanted. Mr Wolfe ignored my protest, and when the time came, he put his microphone right in front of my face. I took a deep breath and sang the line with all my might, (praying the entire time that my voice wouldn’t break mid-note). It was over in seconds, but as I looked around everyone was smiling from ear to ear. Even though he has now gone on to be with Jesus, I will always be grateful to Tony Greene for dragging me up on stage, and inadvertently giving me one of the most memorable experiences of my life!
Gilmore: Great story! Any advice for aspiring Gospel artists?
Allen: Be sure it is what God wants you to do. It’s a difficult lifestyle that should only be attempted if it is a part of God’s will! But with Him, all things are possible!
Gilmore: Fantastic! What can fans expect from the group this year?
Allen: This year is our 20th anniversary of traveling full-time in ministry. We’ll be doing several things to celebrate; if people like our Facebook page, they’ll be able to see what those things are. We’ll be building a new bus since our old one was wrecked last year, preparing for our annual mission trip to Uganda, Africa, and planning our next CD project. The Allen Family will have one busy year!
Gilmore: Looking forward to what's instore of the group! Thanks for your time!