Roots in (Marble) Rock

Country artist Jesse Allen mixes styles for a show all his own

By Kate Hayden

khayden@charlescitypress.com

When Jesse Allen takes the stage tonight at Hot Shots, it’ll be a sort of homecoming for the country singer who grew up in Marble Rock.

“It’s definitely a fun experience, I get to perform for people who may have known me since I was a little kid,” Allen said. “They can see the ever-evolving changes. I guarantee it’s different from a year ago.”

It’s a growing world for the Mason City morning radio host, as Allen evolves from a cover artist to writing original music. But his shows are known for the variety of influences, Allen said, and he plans to keep it that way –– throwing in a bit of 1990s-style country, a bite of blues, some contemporary R&B and a dose of classic rock.

“(People) come to a show and see me standing up there and think, ‘this is just going to be another Jason Aldean copycat’, but I throw in some different influences that I think catch them off guard,” Allen said. “A lot more of my own music has made its way into our show as I’m testing out a little of my original songs to see what people like.”

Allen is paying attention to those reactions –– some of those songs will soon be tied together in his first EP, which he hopes to record in Nashville later this year. So far, he’s only given small hints of these originals on his social media platforms, but he says there are some that his dedicated audience have started requesting.

“‘If I Didn’t Love You’ talks about a personal life experience of going through a long relationship and having it not work out, but it makes you a better person. ‘Bad’, it’s a song of the typical guy who wants the girl and has to chase her down,” Allen said. “I think they resonate the most for people….a lot of personal life experiences, personal stories.”

Allen, who will be performing from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. tonight, comes prepared for the long haul at each show he does. He’s got to be –– Allen is booked up nearly every weekend from now until late June as he tries to spread his name across the midwest.

“I’m a rocker at heart too sometimes, and a lot of people like to hear the 80s rock stuff. John Mellencamp, Ryan Adams, AC DC,” he said. “People know they come to a show they’re going to get almost four hours of good music and good time. We’ll take you on some highs and lows in a show.”

Allen got an early start performing at venues back when his parents ran The Rock Tavern in Marble Rock. Encouraged by his dad, a longtime musician, Allen picked up on karaoke performances and was later introduced to playing guitar in his teenage years.

Now Allen accompanies commuters as morning host of 93.9 KIA-FM The Country Moose, as well as giving farm reports over on 1300 KGLO-AM. His morning host role has been a prime way for Allen to network in Nashville and meet other artists; he recently interviewed Garth Brooks on the radio, whom he said is “arguably the number one influence on me.”

“It’s kind of a career highlight of being a radio broadcaster. How cool is that? I get a chance to network on air and talk to various artists every week,” Allen said. “I’m blessed to the get the opportunities that I do.”

“I’m going to do this, and down the road I can tell my grandkids I at least did it,” he added. “Anything beyond that is just cherry on top. I just want to have a chance to share my music.”