Culture
Allie Colleen talks connecting with other genres and species, Houston Rodeo hopes & ‘Buck It’ spirit
By: Ian Saint
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MARIETTA, Ohio (WOUB) — After appearing at Ohio University’s Lancaster campus during the 42nd Lancaster Festival two weeks ago, country singer-songwriter Allie Colleen, the daughter of Garth Brooks, returns to Southeast Ohio tomorrow for a show at The Adelphia Music Hall (205 Second St.).
Colleen said one of her favorite Ohio memories came during her run as a part of Jelly Roll’s sold-out “Beautifully Broken Tour.”
“Cincinnati was the third show on the tour and the first where people showed up for me because I’d played Ohio so much,” Colleen said. “That was crazy, playing an arena and seeing people with Allie Colleen signs.”
Colleen spoke with WOUB’s Ian Saint. Their conversation, edited for length and clarity, follows.
Ian Saint: When you played Cleveland’s Beachland Tavern in 2018, I don’t believe you’d released original music yet.
Allie Colleen: Correct. I graduated music college in 2018; then I wanted to go on the road, play the bar circuits outside Nashville, and work up to releasing original music in 2019. People in Cleveland weren’t coming to see Allie Colleen yet; they were going to their bar. You learn early, what cover songs work well for what generations you’re playing for and all those things. Then someone goes, “Do you have anything original?” Yes, I do.
Ian Saint: You’ve worked with a variety of co-writers and producers throughout your career. Joe Costa and Ben Watts co-produced Stones, Dave Pahanish produced Sincerely, and Dom Martinez has produced your recent singles, including “Buck It.”
Allie Colleen: It’s been special, creating relationships in Nashville for 12 years. Lyrics are my strong suit; when I’m writing, I think about who’s the strongest melody writer I can partner my lyrics with. Stephen Hunley and Eric Dodd came for stuff that was most challenging to finish on my own. Joe was perfect for my first album being very singer-songwriter oriented. Then I went to Dave, because Sincerely was pretty heavy, and I wanted to do a full-room studio recording with live musicians. Then Dom brings this cool pop-punk world to my Western narratives I’m obsessed with. It’s just been Allie growing up and finding what serves the project best, as opposed to undying loyalty to one sound.
Ian Saint: That reminds me of your father, who I feel was ahead of his time with 1999’s Garth Brooks in… The Life of Chris Gaines. It’s bizarre that the media couldn’t fathom how a country guy had multitudes, and temporarily adopting an alternative look and sound was just part of being an artist. Garth’s singing on “Lost In You” reminds me of Babyface. Did that project make an impression on broadening your artistry?
Allie Colleen: The Chris Gaines project is my favorite, because you hear Garth soulfully sing — I think he’s one of the greatest vocalists on the planet, so I couldn’t be more proud. Chris Gaines was a character in a movie that never came to fruition. When they weren’t going to release the movie, Dad was like, “We worked so hard on this character and the soundtrack, and it sounds rad. What’s the harm in sharing this?” I think there was quite a lot of harm, because Dad doesn’t talk about it to this day, and I think it’s the coolest thing he’s ever done. It’s been a big driver in my life — that took away some fear of evolving and trying new things. I was in a pop-punk band in high school called NeoRomantics.
Ian Saint: Your Dom collaborations broaden your sound further, incorporating trap beats and such. Tell us about having Jorden Halvorsen on the single cover for “Buck It.”
Allie Colleen: That’s really special. Jorden is a four-time bull-riding world champion. She also started events in the PRCA that recognize women’s qualifying abilities in competitive bull-riding. I tagged her in a teaser, and she goes, “This is awesome.” I never thought she’d see it or acknowledge me. We’ve talked on Instagram about “Would you consider being the artwork, using your name in press releases?” and she’s been really kind. Mixing rodeo with this alternative track is the coolest thing.
Ian Saint: Mary and Randy Travis told us about how Randy’s horses were critical to his stroke recovery. What led to your becoming a Horses For Mental Health ambassador?
Allie Colleen: My whole life, my family’s done wildlife rehabilitation in Oklahoma: Wild Heart Ranch. I have two horses, Jack and Einstein. I didn’t communicate well as a kid, so I started writing songs at eight; but I found I never had to convince animals of my worth or vice versa. It’s interesting you mentioned Randy. I had Randy and Mary over for dinner a long time ago; he had very little speech then, and my dog Eve was in hospice. She was sick, so she didn’t connect with many people; but I’ve never seen my dog connect with somebody more than Randy. His genuine connection with animals is a big reason why to support Horses For Mental Health. For me, horses provide a safe environment; and I love to encourage other people to lean on animals for that special connection.
Ian Saint: I see you’ve been lobbying the Houston Rodeo on social media to book you. I emcee the State Fair of Texas music stages in Dallas, and we have a friendly rivalry. Some might wonder, why lobby them publicly? What if they don’t respond
Allie Colleen: I’ve found closed mouths don’t get fed. Since the Jelly Roll tour, people think we’re much farther along than we are. That was a life-changing experience, but didn’t do lots for our metrics. In independent music, trying to get people on the same algorithm as you, and get on editorial playlists — which are purchased monopolies now, just like commercial radio — feels impossible, so I started asking for help. I don’t think people care about rockstars anymore; they care about how rockstars interact with their lives. My experience has always been that making the audience just as big a part of the show as I am, is the only reason they come back.
When I run into somebody in a bar now, they ask “How are we doing on ‘Buck It’”? It’s nice to hear “we.” That’s been the coolest thing: working my tail off, and there’s a community of us achieving these things. We went after PBR first; it took nine days, and they commented — we have future opportunities coming because of that. I’m fine with the possibility of still tagging the Houston Rodeo on Day 746.
Coming from my family, there’s always been such presumptions of what I’d be able to do and what kind of backing I have. Somehow still landing amongst the underdogs has been really rewarding, because I want to be just like my dad. Dad started from absolutely nothing, and that’s what I’m gonna do: put the world on your back and work your butt off.