Mike Allen's Biography

When Bill Gaither heard Mike Allen’s speaking voice he asked "Mike, do you sing?" Mike nervously replied "Yes, Sir. I sing with Poet Voices." Mr. Gaither then asked Mike to be in Nashville at the next recording session for the Homecoming video series, and that was the beginning of their relationship.

That was certainly not the beginning of Mike Allen's musical career, but a definite turning point that secured his position as gospel music’s premier bass voice. Each generation is granted a handful of great quartet bass singers; only the best of these voices ever reach the caliber of Jim "Big Chief" Wetherington or George Younce. Since his youth Mike has worked hard to hone his skill, and that work has been encouraged by support and training from gospel greats who quickly became his peers. Mike is grateful when recalling the help of men like Tim Riley. "Tim saw me as an inexperienced, young bass and took the time to invest in my abilities." Many others recognized the great potential in Mike and began to support him. Mike adds, "I've learned about studio singing and quartet singing from gracious men like Rex Nelon and George Younce, Ben Speer and Bill Gaither. I know that I wouldn’t have the career I have now
without their investment in a young singer."

As a boy from Port Clinton, OH, Mike's grandmother, who was the matriarch of his faith, taught him about Jesus. Mike speaks of her fondly, "She walked in narrow places and showed me that joy was great there and life abundant." From his Baptist schooling that was insisted on by his father, to his service as a United States Marine, Mike has found his grandmother's words always ring true.

Mike learned to read music in his high school choir with his best friend Ted Young. "Ted started this whole thing when he asked me to join the choir so, any problems you have with me, you can blame on him!" (complaints or thanks? Ted's email!! he-he!) In later years, he began to sing the styles of the Blue
Ridge, the Statesmen, and the Blackwood Brothers quartets. He attained his first job in 1980 out of sheer boldness, "I went to hear a male trio in concert and stayed the entire evening, but I missed hearing a bass part. So, after the concert, I went up to the tenor singer and asked if the group needed a bass singer, he hired me.” Even being a professional in the Marine Corps didn't dampen his love for quartet singing. Immediately following boot camp, Mike began to search for a quartet in need of a bass singer. Soon after being discharged from the military, Mike was hired by Earl and Lily Fern Wetherford for their national tour dates and from that time on Mike's passion and pass time became his profession.

In the mid 90's Mike began traveling with Phil Cross and Poet Voices. The group was frequently invited to the Gaither Gospel Series events and Mike found himself seated among the many basses he had admired as a young man. "I couldn’t believe I was sitting in the same room with George and Rex, Brock and
J.D.... I don't think I got one solid note out that whole first day. I was so mesmerized by those great men."

As with most talented musicians a growing and stretching process is occurring with Mike. His first solo project has been released from CrossBridge records. He reveals his great sense of humor saying, "My mother has always been one of my biggest supporters and has been nagging me for years to record a solo record, so I did it for her and I don't care if I don't sell another one as long as my mom buys one!" (She made me GIVE her one!!)

Mike's new project is aptly named "Way Down Deep." The title song was written just for Mike by Woody Wright and caps the whole project off with a nice easy feel that showcases Mike’s heart as well as his voice. CrossBridge executive Brian Speer says “This project is perfect for the southern gospel market. It
feels great and is reminiscent of the ease of Tennessee Ernie Ford's pleasant voice with the great news of the gospel. We are going to love watching Mike grow as a prominent artist and are excited about what he has to give to audiences".

Mike will continue his Gaither tour appearances and for more information about him go to Gaithernet.com


	Mike's Biography
	When Bill Gaither heard Mike Allen’s speaking voice he asked "Mike, do you sing?" Mike nervously replied "Yes, Sir. I sing with Poet Voices." Mr. Gaither then asked Mike to be in Nashville at the next recording session for the Homecoming video series, and that was the beginning of their relationship. That was certainly not the beginning of Mike Allen's musical career, but a definite turning point that secured his position as gospel music’s premier bass voice. Each generation is granted a handful of great quartet bass singers; only the best of these voices ever reach the caliber of Jim "Big Chief" Wetherington or George Younce. Since his youth Mike has worked hard to hone his skill, and that work has been encouraged by support and training from gospel greats who quickly became his peers. Mike is grateful when recalling the help of men like Tim Riley. "Tim saw me as an inexperienced, young bass and took the time to invest in my abilities." Many others recognized the great potential in Mike and began to support him. Mike adds, "I've learned about studio singing and quartet singing from gracious men like Rex Nelon and George Younce, Ben Speer and Bill Gaither. I know that I wouldn’t have the career I have now without their investment in a young singer." As a boy from Port Clinton, OH, Mike's grandmother, who was the matriarch of his faith, taught him about Jesus. Mike speaks of her fondly, "She walked in narrow places and showed me that joy was great there and life abundant." From his Baptist schooling that was insisted on by his father, to his service as a United States Marine, Mike has found his grandmother's words always ring true. Mike learned to read music in his high school choir with his best friend Ted Young. "Ted started this whole thing when he asked me to join the choir so, any problems you have with me, you can blame on him!" (complaints or thanks? Ted's email!! he-he!) In later years, he began to sing the styles of the Blue Ridge, the Statesmen, and the Blackwood Brothers quartets. He attained his first job in 1980 out of sheer boldness, "I went to hear a male trio in concert and stayed the entire evening, but I missed hearing a bass part. So, after the concert, I went up to the tenor singer and asked if the group needed a bass singer, he hired me.” Even being a professional in the Marine Corps didn't dampen his love for quartet singing. Immediately following boot camp, Mike began to search for a quartet in need of a bass singer. Soon after being discharged from the military, Mike was hired by Earl and Lily Fern Wetherford for their national tour dates and from that time on Mike's passion and pass time became his profession. In the mid 90's Mike began traveling with Phil Cross and Poet Voices. The group was frequently invited to the Gaither Gospel Series events and Mike found himself seated among the many basses he had admired as a young man. "I couldn’t believe I was sitting in the same room with George and Rex, Brock and J.D.... I don't think I got one solid note out that whole first day. I was so mesmerized by those great men." As with most talented musicians a growing and stretching process is occurring with Mike. His first solo project has been released from CrossBridge records. He reveals his great sense of humor saying, "My mother has always been one of my biggest supporters and has been nagging me for years to record a solo record, so I did it for her and I don't care if I don't sell another one as long as my mom buys one!" (She made me GIVE her one!!) Mike's new project is aptly named "Way Down Deep." The title song was written just for Mike by Woody Wright and caps the whole project off with a nice easy feel that showcases Mike’s heart as well as his voice. CrossBridge executive Brian Speer says “This project is perfect for the southern gospel market. It feels great and is reminiscent of the ease of Tennessee Ernie Ford's pleasant voice with the great news of the gospel. We are going to love watching Mike grow as a prominent artist and are excited about what he has to give to audiences". Mike will continue his Gaither tour appearances and for more information about him go to Gaithernet.com