Ira’s Musical Timeline
by admin on Jul.15, 2009, under Ira's Accomplishments
In 1956, Ira recorded with “M.R.S. Records” in Boston, MA
In 1959, Ira sang with the “Ventures” before they had a hit record.
In 1966, Ira recorded for “Dot Records”
In 1967, Ira recorded for “GRC Label” in Seattle, WA
1967 to 1970 Ira recorded for “Capital Records”
1971 through 1977 Ira recorded for “Portland Records” produced by Gene Breeden.
1978 Ira produced himself on a label entitled “Country Northwest.”
1985 Ira was produced by Jimmy Young at the Music Mill in Nashville, TN for “L & S records”
1994 Ira once again produced himself with the help of his good friend, Jimmy Young
Ira is listed in the Rockabilly Hall of Fame for his self-penned song “Nursery Rock” in 1958.
As a songwriter, Ira was a “Nashville Songwriter’s Association” Award Winner in 1967 and 1968.
Ira co-wrote “Hangin On” (Just enough To Keep Me) with Buddy Mize. To date, it has been recorded 80 times with several versions in country, R & B & Pop. The first to record it was The Gosdin Brothers and 9 years later, it was Vern Gosdin’s solo version that hit Billboard. Others recording it include Leon Ashley & Margie Singleton, Lane Brody, Joe Simon, Ann Peebles, Billy Vera, Barbara Mandrell, Waylon Jennings, Jean Shepherd, Ferlin Huskey, Conway Twitty & Loretta Lynn, and Cher.
In 1985, Ira won the Maine Country Music Association’s “Male Vocalist of the Year” and the most prestigious award of “Entertainer Of The Year”
Ira starred in a one hour special on P.B.S. Network, “So You Want To Be A Star” with “Opry” favorites Minnie Pearl, Grandpa Jones, Slim Whitman, Don Gibson and Little Jimmy Dickens.
While on “Capital”, Ira recorded his own composition “Cold Cold Wind” on Buck Owens’ “Big In Vegas” Album, produced by Buck and Ken Nelson.
For more than 1 year, he was the featured performer at the World Famous “Palomino Club” in Hollywood, California.
1999 through 2000 he emceed and performed at the “Nashville Nightlife” dinner theater.
As a bandleader, Ira was nominated by the Academy of Country Music 3 times as having the best non-touring band in Country Music. He was the winner of that prestigious award in 1977.
For the past 24 years he has headlined the annual “Maine Country Pioneer Show” and scheduled for his 25th year in 2010.
2009 found Ira releasing 8 new CD’s… 4 from live performances over the years to 4 Cd’s featuring songs he recorded during his Dot-Capital days, some of which he penned.
Ira has lived his dream but he has a lot more “hillbilly dreams” to follow in the years forthcoming.
August 2nd, 2009 on 7:15 pm
hay ira,bet u don’t remember me. but then again u
will. i think it was in 1947 give or take a year.
i sat down with u on the steps of george verins
store. u had your new getar and u tole me 2 listen
to this. i told u that was great.
it was at night anyway if u remember me give me a ring
281 330 7706
my brother Richard and i live in HOUSTON , TEXAS
ROGER AND DONALD STILL LIVE IN NORWAY
HOPE 2 HEAR FROM U BRAD DYER
April 10th, 2010 on 10:29 am
Glad to have seen you and Nancy for breakfaST on Thursday! Sorry about your voice! Hope you get better soon, cause when your voice is gone, you cannot entertain us like we are used to hearing! You have the voice of an Angel, and you sure are missed when you can,t sing those beautiful notes! We are truly blessed to have had you for so many years!
My husband was so glad to have met you, after all these years! He thought you were charming and such a very nice man! We hoope to have you for many more years to come! Love ya, Ira and Judi!
April 10th, 2010 on 10:31 am
I hope you will forgive my spelling!! I do know how to spell HOPE!!!!!
April 22nd, 2013 on 1:10 am
Ira;
Enjoyed playing golf with you at Cedar Crest today.
Left your phone number on the golf cart. E-mail it to me and Mike and I will call you sometime again to play.
Sincerely
Ray Drake
April 22nd, 2013 on 1:15 am
Just saw your photo with Dallas Frazier. I met him recently at Long Horn Steak House. What a great writer. (Will you visit me on Sunday?) I don’t sing but have been here for so many years and have met most of the great performers many times since I used to travel the whole country and flew all over the USA and met many of them on my flights. Never me one I did not like.
Ray Drake
November 18th, 2014 on 2:15 am
Hi Ira, last time I saw you was at gene breeden’s studio in Nashville around 1986. You were just on my mind and wondering what you’ve been up to.
December 18th, 2021 on 1:19 pm
i am related to Ira Allen—our mothers were cousins. i am also from Maine. i have kept up with Ira’s family over the years. Every time i was with them Ira was not in Maine. i would like to contact his wife Judy to say how sorry she has
lost him. I jus found out he passed away by accident on Facebook yesterday! His sister Nancy and i are the exact same age—will both be 80 in January.
Please either give me a way to contact Judy OR pass this message on to her.
Thank you
Harriet Miles (now living in NC)
December 19th, 2021 on 2:41 am
ia this still an active website?
December 28th, 2021 on 7:11 pm
i have compiled a “casual” family history of Ira’s and my family relationship with a few OLD family pictures too. Judy, send me your address and i will send the info to you. There is one picture of Ira’s mom back in 1918 when she was only 4.
again, enjoyed our conversation before Christmas! Hope you and your family had a great Christmas. we did.
Harriet