Pure Country Music At Its Best …………..

STARRING IRA ALLEN

Ira will headline the show at the LeClub Calumet in Augusta, ME Sat April 10th at 2:00 PM and another show at the Silver Spur in Mechanic Falls on Sun April 11th at 2:00 PM.  Check out his website “Photos” on Page 6 for a poster with pictures of the performers.  He will also be performing at 2 breakfast shows during the week (see posters of  location and times also in “photo” section – page 6).

Presented by Norm Poulin Productions.

Here it is:

The Maine Country Music Association came into being in January, 1977; at a country music club in Windham. Twelve (12) people who had made part or all of their living at Country Music put their heads together and formed the new association. The first president was Slim Andrews. The late Barry Dean and Slim were instrumental in drawing up the By-laws and Constitution to cause this organization to become a Non-Profit group. They also dreamed of a Maine Country Music Hall of Fame.

On the last Sunday in April, 1978, the first Maine Country Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Program was held. There were three (3) worthy pioneers inducted into this honorable society. From 1978 to 2006 when Ira was inducted, there had already been sixty-seven (67) inducted.

In 2008, the Maine Country Music Hall of Fame Museum was created. Ira is so honored to be a part of this great organization and to be a part of the museum, alongside his friends and heroes.

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.

Featuring Ira’s hit “Solid Gold”

This is the new online home of Ira Allen. While you’re here you can listen to some tunes on the music player, read up on Ira and his music, drop a line on the forum to catch up with friends, and pick-up the latest merchandise in the online store. Go ahead and bookmark us now using the “Share / Save” button below this post and come back often!

Hope to see you soon,

IraAllen.com

All Cd’s are available separately or as a set in our online store.