Welcome to John Allred’s Home Page

I was born and raised on a farm in northwestern Wyoming and attended school in Lovell. Being the oldest boy in a family of 8 children, I learned how to work at an early age. Working with cattle and horses was my favorite part of the job and even now, I still keep a few cows around, a habit I can’t seem to kick.

I began trying to play guitar when I was 11 or 12 years old. There was always plenty of music around. My Dad and uncle played and sang at home, church socials, and family gatherings. My Dad had several uncles and friends on his mother’s side of the family that would cut up and sing fun songs at family gatherings and it was always fun to listen to them. At home my folks listened to Bob Wills, Jim Reeves, Eddy Arnold, and anything country. My parents bought me a Silvertone arch top guitar when I was 13 and my Dad showed me a few chords to get me started, then evey once in a while, he’d hear me playing and show me more.

When I was 15 years old, I started playing lead guitar on Saturday nights with a Rock n Roll band in our area. I had never tried to sing in public, but when I was about 18 or 19 the band needed a singer so I learned several country songs that I could sing. My family had always wanted me to sing at family gatherings, but I was so scared and self conscious and would leave my guitar home so I could have an excuse not to do it.

When I got out of school I wanted to be a Cowboy and started working for a cattle ranch near Meeteetse, Wyoming.  Later with the lust for adventure and bigger money, I started running heavy equipment, building  roads  and moving several times a year around a 3 state area.  In years following I was always in a band. One winter, I joined a band as lead singer and we traveled the Nevada circuit, playing in the casinos and hotels 5 & 6 nights per week. I later worked in a cattle feed yard, playing music on weekends, eventually going back to work for a construction company building roads & highways throughout several states. We moved a lot but where ever I would end up, I would either start a band or join one. I played in many different bands during those years and learned from everyone I played with.

One band I was in during the early 70’s, we became very popular and would travel around a several state area playing mostly in the nicer dance halls and clubs. During this time we got hooked up with Buck Owen’s talent agency and had the opportunity to be the front and backup band for many of the recording artists they booked in our area. Back in those days, many of the artists traveled alone due to the expense of bringing their own band, so we were called to work with artists like Susan Raye, David Frizell, Freddie Hart, Red Simpson, Buddy Alan, the Hager Brothers to name a few. This opened another door of opportunity for me, where I learned more and more about the music business.

The booking agency wanted us to make a recording for use in promotions, so we recorded two sides in Buck Owens’ Studio in Bakersfield, Ca. This was my first time in a good recording studio.

I eventually settled in Montana where I went to work for a coal mining company. During those years I recorded 4 LP albums of my own, the first one in 1976, writing most of my own material. (this was my first attempt at writing) I was fortunate enough to record my first album in RCA’s studio “B” where many of the big stars recorded, including Elvis Presley. The studio later became a museum. The next two years, I did two more albums in Accuff/Rose studio in Nashville. My songs were played mostly on local area radio stations, but I did have a couple that got national exposure and charted in several states. While in Montana I played with a great bunch of guys and we were called to work grandstand shows at County Fairs. This was a change from playing dances and watching people dance, now we had to learn to entertain an audience.   I took up the fiddle and 5-string banjo learning just enough songs to give variety to our shows. I later gave up the banjo but am still trying to play the fiddle.  In 1984, I recorded an album in Billings, Montana using the band I played with and a few other friends on the recordings.

In the spring of 1985, I moved to Texas, transferring with the mining company I worked for. I soon joined a Country band playing dance halls and slab dances around the central Texas area. The Texas dance crowds wanted lots of Bob Wills music mixed with Southern Rock and hardcore Country. We became very popular whithin several Central Texas counties.

In Texas I started writing again but didn’t record again until 2008. My sister and her daughter were featured on a couple of these songs, along with two of my granddaughters who were learning to play fiddle.

I recorded another CD in 2011. I entered one of my songs, “Can Ya Hear Me Now”, into a songwriting contest, winning first place in Texas. This advanced me as a finalist in the contest covering eight Southern states, where my song took third place honors.

My newest CD, “Turn Right On Red” , was released in November 2014 with 3 of my granddaughters featured on it. I like a good variety of Country Music, Western Swing, Bluegrass, and Cowboy Western Music not getting stuck on any one style. I think my most recent “Turn Right On Red” CD reflects this. In my live shows, I like to play a good variety, whatever pleases the audience. I especially like playing good dance music.

I love Classic Country and Western Swing music. I’m so blessed to have friends and family that are great musicians and I value my association with them. My family members often join me in the studio and on the bandstand. I never miss a chance to sing and play with my family. My wife Bonnie continues to be my best friend and critic, supporting me through all the bumps in the road over the years.

I thank my Lord for the talent He has given me and the opportunity I have to continue doing what I enjoy doing.

John Allred