ANA gives local artists a boost
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Tammy Layman / News Virginian
Published: August 1, 2007
President and C.E.O. of ANA, Bruce Allen of Lexington, is a well-known musical performer in this area and in Nashville, Tenn., actively working in both locations with several albums of his own.
Often, Allen still performs at Floyd's Lounge, located at Mama Bea's restaurant in Staunton. Sometimes he is at the lounge watching his new members of America's New Artist perform and searching for new talent to promote.
Allen is a native of Lexington and he plays the piano in his church there when he is home and not in Nashville promoting American's New Artist. He is in the process of making two albums for the soldiers, according to Debra Foster, in charge of management and publishing at the ANA label company.
"He has taken music and used it as a tool for the good," said Foster. "His love and passion goes well with music. He has raised money for those in the military and the Make A Wish for Veterans Foundation. He produces CDs and manages these new artists. He has been a great entertainer for over 25 years. He took these young artists and held a fundraiser at Mama Bea's in Staunton for St. Jude's Children Hospital to honor a local child who had cancer. This turned out to be a big benefit the local community."
Allen has recruited several local and regional musicians from Augusta County to Roanoke currently in the process of making their first albums. Nathan Neff and Heather Necole have already begun working on their recordings in Nashville. Mike Kidd will soon follow.
"Kidd's recording session was interrupted by appendicitis and he recently was hospitalized just before his project began," said Foster. "He will have his recording a little later than the others."
A new local group, D.O.G. S. of Pray, recently signed with ANA and began recording their first album in Nashville in July. They have played in various venues in the area and are often seen at Floyd's Lounge at Mama Bea's in Staunton.
Allen has a cruise planned Sept. 4, 2008, for ANA artists to perform and promote their new recordings. Anyone can book the cruise by mentioning that it's the ANA cruise at http://www.cruiseanchor.com or by calling 1-800-791-89030.
"We are all excited at ANA and looking forward to the completion of our artists' recording projects," said Allen.
Other albums produced by Allen include those by local performers Keith Bryant and Ken Mahon.
Recently, Allen has been working on a project for American troops who are in service. He just did a special show at the Tennessee Hard Rock Caf- with actor John Amos of the television show "Goodtimes" for the mothers of deployed children. Allen is also hoping to place an emphasis on a recording for America's troops who are in service with the talent of all his new America's New Artists, Foster said.
"Allen is big on the military and their families and giving them the support they need," Foster said. "He has a daughter in college and a wife that is a breast cancer survivor and he continually plays the piano in his church. He has a big heart and big talent. He likes to promote the same qualities in local artists. Bruce is
always looking for positive, good people to help get into the music industry."
Allen enjoys passing on his 25 years of experience to the new artists he promotes.
"The love for performing and watching faces light up with emotions when an artist is on stage," is what attracts Allen to the entertainment field, he said.
"Reactions, good or bad, are an asset. I enjoy passing on what I have learned through the years to newcomers to steer them in the right direction," Allen added.
When looking for an artist Allen is looking for specifics.
"When choosing one of America's New Artists, I look for talent, attitude and 99 percent willingness to want it," he said. "I want to maintain a good foundation for newcomers so they will feel comfortable working with this company."
Allen was only 8 years old when he got into music and performing.
"I was 8 years old at my Grandpa's house during the holidays and we always recorded a video to send to my uncle in Vietnam. I played guitar and sang a gospel song song for that video."
According to Allen, in order for his new artists to succeed musically they need one quality - persistence.
"Keep doing what you love and don't stop. Keep the passion all of your life," he added.
Allen's driving force in his life that allows him to be successful with managing and producing are three-fold. "Faith, family, and the passion for music allow me to succeed," he said. "Any artist that can move me with a song at that time, has been an inspiration to me."
Allen also makes time for other passions in his life. "I like martial arts, working on my house, playing piano in church," he said.
"People tell artists to 'not forget them when they become famous' or 'don't change,'" Allen added. "From my experiences, success only makes you more than what you already are and doesn't change you."
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