Deborah Allen

Deborah Allen

Longtime Franklin resident and Grammy-nominated artist Deborah Allen is a force in the world of country music. Allen has an impressive résumé of approximately 1,600 published songs over the decades she’s dedicated to the music industry. Allen has worked with and befriended celebrated figures such as Shel Silverstein and George Jones, and she has poured her heart into chart-topping hits like “Baby I Lied” and “If You’re Not Gonna Love Me.”

Prior to her performance at The Franklin Theater over the weekend, Allen took the time to talk with the Williamson Scene about her mother Rosetta's 100th birthday party, her time in the music industry and how it feels to be a long-standing Franklin resident.

Could you give me a little rundown of the first time you realized you wanted to be a singer?

I was born singing. A part of my story is that when my mother was pregnant with me, she noticed that she was having a vocal problem with her voice. She noticed it when she would talk. And she always prayed for her babies to be healthy and strong, but because she had vocal issues, she would pray that this baby would have a strong voice. So she’s always told me, and it’s always felt like I was just born singing. I remember when I was 4 years old, I would sit next to my mother and tell her that I wanted to be a singer when I grew up. And she would tell me that I could do anything.

Have you stayed close to your mother throughout your career?

Absolutely. We’ve always been so close. She actually lives a mile away from me in her own house down the street. She’s really still with it, and she’s so much fun to be around. The show on Aug. 23rd at the Franklin Theater [was] actually to honor her, because it [was] her 100th birthday. It’s such a fabulous age, and she has such a strong community.

I know you both live in Franklin — how does it feel to be performing such a special show at a place you both call home?

Franklin is one of the most gentle, beautiful places I’ve ever lived. It’s been my home since about 1993, when I was on Giant Records. I had a song called “Roc Me” that changed my life in Nashville, but I decided that I wanted to live just a little further out of the city. I love the history of Franklin, and I always call The Franklin Theater the "jewel of Williamson County." I’ve lived here for so long that I’ve seen The Franklin Theater make its transformation. It’s just a really gorgeous place, and I can’t think of anywhere else I would want to live. And playing here almost makes it feel like I’m playing at home for some friends. It’s a cozy theater, but it’s totally state-of-the-art. It’s just an honor to step on stage at The Franklin Theater.

What’s been the most fulfilling part of your career in music?

Number one, I’m a songwriter. Shel Silverstein got me into writing songs, and we were such great friends. I started writing songs when I was about 18, and I’ve written about 1,600 published songs since then. I’ve worked with everybody from George Jones to Prince, who even wrote a song for me and produced it for me. It’s called "Telepathy." I love songwriting so much, and the craft is so important. I’ve learned a lot being a songwriter for so long and hanging out with some truly great people. It’s been a real blessing to be a part of it all. If you open yourself up to life, it’s a wonderful adventure.