The Story

Western Swing Music King of New York Nolan Bruce Allen (NBA) began his professional career in the 1960's. While serving our country in Korea he played lead guitar on Army Broadcast country music radio shows. Later in Europe he with his Army bands maintained a grueling schedule of performance dates at Enlisted Men's, Non-Commissioned Officers and Officers clubs for almost three years. Often he opened for Grand Old Opry stars and other artists booked by the Army to entertain our troops. Sometimes direct backing was provided to many touring stars.

NBA began playing Western Swing in the early 1970's after becoming fascinated with Bob Wills era music and finding it's unique blending of Jazz, Big Band, Country, Blues and Dixieland quite contagious. He very much loved it's 2 and 3 part harmonies on guitars, fiddles, horns, hot solos, driving and clean dynamic rhythm, lovely, romantic and sometimes humorous melodies. He'd found his calling and was hooked.

NBA recorded in Dallas, Texas at the Historic A.S.C. Sumet studios. This famous recording studio closed in 2004. Bob wills recorded "For the Last Time" there. NBA uses the very best and most experienced Western Swing musicians. Included are

bob Wills Texas Playboy bandleader and Grammy winner Tommy Allsup, Hall of Fame Steel Player and producer Tom Morrell, Grammy winner Chris O'Connell on duets and harmony) ( Asleep at the Wheel), Accomplished Pianist Tim Alexander (Asleep at the Wheel),

Rich O'Brien, accomplished guitarist, producer and Grammy winner,Best in the business upright Bassist Mark Abbott, three-time world champion Randy Elmore on Fiddles, Drummer Greg Hardy, (Time Warp Top Hands), Harmonies from recording artists Mary Ann Price and Trudy Fair, Chris McGuire and Hall of Famer Bob Myers on Saxophones / Clarinets. Richard Cartwright played Trumpet with Braxton Howle on Trombone. Engineering by Mark Petty utilizing top-shelf digital equipment. Mastering by George Guerin, Digital Editing Service, Dallas, TX.

NBA's father was a contest winning Fiddler, Sharecropper and Baptist Minister. His Mother and many of his 9 Brothers and Sisters played and sang. Brothers James and Robert also had their own bands for a considerable period of time. Born in Alabama NBA maintains an office/vacation home there and also on the island of Cebu, Philippines. After honorable discharge from the Army and receiving a total of 16 medals, he settled in Western New York State in the Buffalo - Niagara Falls area. Most business is conducted from there.

NBA performed over 200 lives dates annually between 1972 and 1983. Then, dramatic success of other business ventures left him no choice but to reduce bookings. In addition to thousands of his own shows he with his Lone Star Western Swing Band have opened for or been featured on the same shows with Ernest Tubb, Merle Haggard, Johnny Russell, Tex Ritter, Patti Loveless, Flatt and Scruggs, George Morgan and Hank Thompson to name just a few.

NBA's recordings are clean, innovative and driving with lots of nicely spaced harmonies, twin and 3-part fiddles and twin and 3 part guitars. Two fiddles with one clarinet playing 3 parts are also heard. His sparing but tasteful use of horns is incredible! Arrangements are new, impeccable and well thought out. His easy listening, toe tapping, big-band western swing style is very ear catching and enjoyable. All arrangements are super clean! And talk about hot solos! You'll hear plenty including steel, fiddle, piano, guitar and various horns. His Bob Wills Era Salute Volume I was nominated by the Academy Of Western Artists in 5 Categories: Rising Star, Best Band, Best Instrumental, Western Swing Vocalist & Western Swing Album of the Year. Volume II also received nominations. The third and final Volume III is now up for nominations.

NBA loves people and loves entertaining them. Extremely successful, he has a natural "certain something" about him that makes people feel good about themselves. "Kind", "Gracious", "Thoughtful", "Courteous", and "Generous and Entertaining" and "Professional" are words that describe him to a "T". He is a performing member of both the Academy Of Western Artists and the Western Swing Music Society of the Southwest. And have I mentioned that it was I and others of his New York music peers that dubbed him "New York's King of Western Swing music?" Well, we did and the name stuck.

NBA's love of western swing music comes from deep in his soul. It is obvious in the feeling and planning he puts into every song. Friends and fans alike are proud that he overcame humble beginnings and reached the stature he enjoys today! You've got to hear his music! He guaranties you'll like it.

By the way - I am his long-time friend, live show harmony singer, bassist and band front man - now retired. His music is top shelf all the way.. so enjoy!

Roger A. Schlee
Sanborn, New York