Gene Watson’s Peers within the country music industry believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas, so much so that Gene is regarded by many of them as ‘the singer’s singer’ – and rightly so!
All of Gene Watson’s Peers, who were contacted during 2012, were most gracious with their time and words.
It is here, within this special part of The Gene Watson Fan Site, that you have an opportunity to read a quote from Deborah Allen, which she submitted to this site on Tuesday 4 September 2012.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Deborah Allen who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Deborah Allen
This quote was submitted on Tuesday 4 September 2012.
‘Gene Watson is a true treasure in country music!
His highly identifiable voice, his authentic writing and his genuine personality is the stuff real country music stars are made of and the reason his career spans the test of time!
I admire his life of accomplishments on every level!’
Thank you, Deborah Allen, for your support of Gene Watson.
Deborah Allen‘s Official Biography
Deborah Allen was born in the sweet, southern dreamland city of Memphis, Tennessee and is one of those rare artists who forged their own path to success by way of Nashville and Los Angeles and ended up building a world-class career in the process.
An extraordinarily talented singer, songwriter, producer and performer, Deborah Allen’s unique abilities as an artist may be matched only by her enthusiasm and creativity as an individual. It is that formidable combination of spirit and talent which keeps the Grammy-nominated entertainer in demand all over the world.
Deborah Allen’s signature smash, ‘Baby I Lied’ (written by Deborah Allen, Rafe Van Hoy and Rory Bourke), not only appealed to country music and pop radio listeners, earning multiple Million Air-Play Awards in the process, but it also resulted in a pair of Grammy Award nominations for the Delta songstress – one as a vocalist and one as a songwriter.
However, the true measure of Deborah Allen’s influence in contemporary music is underscored by the hit singer’s diverse radio success. Songs such as ‘I’ve Been Wrong Before’, ‘I Hurt For You’, ‘Rock Me’, ‘If You’re Not Gonna Love Me’, ‘Wrong Side of Love’ and ‘Break These Chains’ were just a few of the singles which made their way up the Billboard country music, pop music or Adult Contemporary charts during Deborah Allen’s career.
Ironically, songwriting has often been the most overlooked aspect of Deborah Allen’s career, yet literally hundreds of artists have benefited from her abundant catalogue of material. With more than 1,600 compositions published, Deborah Allen’s songs have been recorded by a laundry list of artists, including John Conlee (‘I’m Only In It For The Love’), Tanya Tucker (‘Can I See You Tonight’), Janie Fricke (‘Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me Baby’) and Patty Loveless (‘Hurt Me Bad, In A Real Good Way’).
The list goes on and on, including artists such as LeAnn Rimes, Brooks & Dunn (Kix Brooks & Ronnie Dunn), Fleetwood Mac, and many more.
For Deborah Allen, songwriting remains one of the most consistent aspects of her career and one that she insists is just as satisfying as the performance element.
And, although Deborah Allen might have taught herself to become an award-winning songwriter, she was simply born a natural entertainer. The charismatic artist has toured the world numerous times and continues today to deliver engaging performances which incorporate Deborah Allen’s inimitable sense of theater, showmanship and energy.
Throughout her phenomenal journey of hits and accomplishments in every facet of her career, Deborah Allen remains true to her vision. From her discovery by Roy Orbison (Thursday 23 April 1936 – Tuesday 6 December 1988), to her friendship with Shel Silverstein (Thursday 25 September 1930 – Monday 10 May 1999), her work with Prince Rogers Nelson (Saturday 7 June 1958 – Thursday 21 April 2016), and the release of ‘Hear Me Now’, Deborah Allen created art entirely on her own terms.
With a distinguished career built on success after success as a performer, songwriter and producer, the dynamic Delta singer from Memphis, Tennessee has no plans of slowing down anytime soon. That’s Deborah Allen!
For inquiries about booking Deborah Allen, you can contact: Raymond Hicks (Deborah’s husband / manager) on 615-476-4086 or Mike Chapman (Deborah’s bandleader & agent for European bookings) on 615-579-7898.
About Deborah Allen…
Deborah Allen was born Deborah Lynn Thurmond in Memphis, Tennessee; her birthday is celebrated on 30 September.
Since 1976, Deborah Allen has seen the release of twelve albums and charted fourteen singles on the Billboard country music singles chart, most notably the crossover hit single, ‘Baby I Lied’ (written by Deborah Allen, Rafe Van Hoy and Rory Bourke), which reached No.4 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1983, and No.26 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1983.
Deborah Allen has also written No.1 Billboard country music singles for herself, Janie Fricke and John Conlee, Billboard Top 5 country music singles for Patty Loveless and Tanya Tucker, and Billboard Top 10 country music singles for The Whites and others.
Deborah Allen was strongly influenced by a number of artists, including Elvis Presley (Tuesday 8 January 1935 – Tuesday 16 August 1977), Roy Orbison (Thursday 23 April 1936 – Tuesday 6 December 1988), Aretha Franklin (Wednesday 25 March 1942 – Thursday 16 August 2018), Al Green, Ray Charles (Tuesday 23 September 1930 – Thursday 10 June 2004), The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin.
Deborah Allen was also strongly influenced by the music which was being played in Memphis on radio stations WHBQ and WDIA, as well as country music artists, including Brenda Lee, Patsy Cline (Thursday 8 September 1932 – Tuesday 5 March 1963), Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 – Monday 6 April 1998), Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002) and Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 – Friday 12 September 2003).
When she was eighteen years old, Deborah Allen moved to Nashville to begin pursuing her career in music. Deborah Allen worked a short stint as a waitress at the local Music Row IHOP restaurant. While there one day, Deborah Allen met Roy Orbison (Thursday 23 April 1936 – Tuesday 6 December 1988) and songwriter Joe Melson.
Two weeks later, Roy Orbison (Thursday 23 April 1936 – Tuesday 6 December 1988) and Joe Melson, who admired her determination, decided to hire Deborah Allen to sing background vocals on a couple of Roy Orbison tracks.
Deborah Allen also auditioned for and landed a job at Opryland USA theme park.
Deborah Allen was soon chosen by Opryland as a featured soloist and dancer for a state department exchange tour of Russia starring Tennessee Ernie Ford (Thursday 13 February 1919 – Thursday 17 October 1991).
Upon her return from Russia, Deborah Allen gravitated to the Nashville offices of Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002), Tompall Glaser (Sunday 3 September 1933 – Tuesday 13 August 2013) & The Glaser Brothers (Jim Glaser: Wednesday 16 December 1936 – Saturday 6 April 2019), and John Hartford (Thursday 30 December 1937 – Monday 4 June 2001), where her close friend, Marie Barrett, worked as a secretary.
There Deborah Allen met her soon-to-be songwriting mentor, poet, playwright, artist and songwriter Shel Silverstein (Thursday 25 September 1930 – Monday 10 May 1999).
After watching her perform during a ‘happy hour’ show at Spence Manor on Nashville’s famed Music Row, Shel Silverstein advised Deborah Allen to pursue songwriting as an extension of her creativity and career path.
Deborah Allen also began to pursue a singing career in her own right when she was chosen to be a regular on Jim Stafford’s ABC summer replacement series.
Deborah Allen went on to serve as an opening act for many of Jim Stafford’s personal appearances.
Jim Stafford and producer Phil Gernhard brought Deborah Allen back to Nashville to record a CB radio novelty record called ‘Do You Copy’. It was recorded ‘live’ and was released as a single on Warner Bros. Records in 1976, but it did not chart.
Although she appreciated the opportunity to record with Jim Stafford and Phil Gernhard, Deborah Allen was disheartened that, after waiting patiently for two years to record her first record, it was a novelty tune. She decided to move back to Nashville to follow her true musical direction.
Stella Parton recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘The Rest of The Way’ and included the track on ‘Love Ya’ (Elektra Records, 1979).
Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 – Monday 6 April 1998) recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘You Never Cross My Mind’, which was co-written with Curly Putman (Thursday 20 November 1930 – Sunday 30 October 2016) and Rafe Van Hoy, and included the track on ‘Just Tammy’ (Epic Records, 1979).
John Conlee recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘You Never Cross My Mind’, which was co-written with Curly Putman (Thursday 20 November 1930 – Sunday 30 October 2016) and Rafe Van Hoy, and included the track on ‘Forever’ (MCA Records, 1979).
Billie Jo Spears (Thursday 14 January 1937 – Wednesday 14 December 2011) recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘You’ (co-written with Rafe Van Hoy) and included the track on ‘I Will Survive’ (United Artists Records, 1979).
Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022) & Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘You Never Cross My Mind’, which was co-written with Curly Putman (Thursday 20 November 1930 – Sunday 30 October 2016) and Rafe Van Hoy, and included the track on ‘Diamond Duet’ (MCA Records, 1979).
Monday 20 August 1923 – Friday 31 July 1964
In 1979, while singing at a private party, Deborah Allen was discovered by producer Bud Logan, who invited her to sing on five unfinished duet tracks by country music legend Jim Reeves (Monday 20 August 1923 – Friday 31 July 1964).
Three of these songs were ‘Don’t Let Me Cross Over’ (No.10, 1979), ‘Oh, How I Miss You Tonight’ (No.6, 1979) and ‘Take Me in Your Arms & Hold Me’ (No.10, 1980). All three duets were released as singles and made the Billboard Top 10 country music singles chart for Jim Reeves’ longtime label, RCA Records.
Deborah Allen was billed as ‘The Mystery Singer’ on the first release, an innovative promotion by label head, Joe Galante.
Tanya Tucker recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘Can I See You Tonight’ (co-written with Rafe Van Hoy) and included the track on ‘Dreamlovers’ (MCA Records, 1980); the track reached No.4 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1980.
The Bellamy Brothers (Howard Bellamy & David Bellamy) recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘Naked Lady’ (co-written with Rafe Van Hoy) and included the track on ‘You Can Get Crazy’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1980).
Dave & Sugar – Dave Rowland (Monday 26 January 1942 – Thursday 1 November 2018), Vicki Hackeman and Jackie Frantz – recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘New York Wine & Tennessee Shine’ (co-written with Rafe Van Hoy) and included the track on ‘New York Wine & Tennessee Shine’ (RCA Victor Records, 1980); the track reached No.18 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1980, and No.10 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1980.
Brenda Lee recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘Goodbye Love’ (co-written with Jim Stafford) and included the track on ‘Even Better’ (MCA Records, 1980).
T.G. Sheppard recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘Do It Again’ (co-written with Rafe Van Hoy and Roy Culbertson) and included the track on ‘Smooth Sailing’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1980).
In 1980, Deborah Allen signed with Capitol Records, and saw the release, in July 1980, of ‘Trouble In Paradise’ (Capitol Records, 1980), her debut album for the label, which included two tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘You Never Cross My Mind’ (written by Deborah Allen and Rafe Van Hoy) / this track was released as a single in 1980, but it did not chart
‘Nobody’s Fool’ (written by Deborah Allen and Rafe Van Hoy) (No.24, 1980)
Deborah Allen’s debut album, ‘Trouble In Paradise’ (Capitol Records, 1980), also included the following tracks:
‘If I Had Known Then’ (written by Deborah Allen and Rafe Van Hoy)
‘Don’t Stop Lovin’ Me’ (written by Deborah Allen and Rafe Van Hoy)
‘It’s Cold Inside’ (written by Deborah Allen and Rafe Van Hoy)
‘Bells’ (written by Deborah Allen and Rafe Van Hoy)
‘Trouble In Paradise’ (written by Deborah Allen and Rafe Van Hoy)
‘Let Me Down’ (written by Deborah Allen and Rafe Van Hoy)
‘Rest of The Way’ (written by Deborah Allen and Rafe Van Hoy)
‘Next To You’ (written by Deborah Allen and Rafe Van Hoy)
In the early 1980s, Deborah Allen saw the release of four non-album tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘You (Make Me Wonder Why)’ (No.20, 1981)
‘You Look Like The One I Love’ (written by Deborah Allen) (No.33, 1982)
‘After Tonight’ (written by Deborah Allen and Troy Seals) (No.82, 1982)
‘Let’s Stop Talkin’ About It’ (written by Deborah Allen, Rafe Van Hoy and Rory Bourke) / this track was released as a single in 1982, but it did not chart
Johnny Lee recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘Little Bit of Lovin’ (co-written with Rafe Van Hoy) and included the track on ‘Bet Your Heart On Me’ (Asylum Records, 1981).
Crystal Gayle recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘Love, Crazy Love’ (co-written with Rafe Van Hoy) and included the track on ‘Hollywood, Tennessee’ (Columbia Records, 1981).
Brenda Lee recorded Deborah Allen’ ‘Out of Her Arms’ (co-written with Rafe Van Hoy) and included the track on ‘Only When I Laugh’ (MCA Records, 1981).
In 1982, Deborah Allen wrote ‘Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me Baby’ (co-written with Bruce Channel and Kieran Kane). Although she pleaded with her record label, Capitol Records, to let her record it and release it as a single, they refused.
With the encouragement of music publisher Don Gant, Janie Fricke‘s producer, Jim Ed Norman, heard Deborah Allen’s ‘Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me Baby’ (co-written with Bruce Channel and Kieran Kane) and recorded it with Janie Fricke. The single became Deborah Allen’s first No.1 single on the Billboard country music singles chart as a songwriter, affirming her belief that songwriting was the way to create a successful future for herself.
Janie Fricke recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me Baby’ (co-written with Bruce Channel and Kieran Kane) and included the track on ‘Sleeping With Your Memory’ (Columbia Records, 1982); the track, which was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in July 1982, featured backing vocals from Ricky Skaggs.
Mickey Gilley (Monday 9 March 1936 – Saturday 7 May 2022) recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘Rocky Road To Romance’ (co-written with Rafe Van Hoy and Rosetta Posey) and included the track on ‘Put Your Dreams Away’ (Epic Records, 1982).
Johnny Lee recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘Just Like Old Times’ (co-written with Rafe Van Hoy) and included the track on ‘Sounds Like Love’ (Asylum Records, 1982).
Dan Seals (Sunday 8 February 1948 – Wednesday 25 March 2009) recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘It’s Not Gonna Be That Easy’ (co-written with Eddie Struzick and Rafe Van Hoy) and included the track on ‘Harbinger’ (Atlantic Records, 1982).
Con Hunley recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘Just Like Old Times’ (co-written with Rafe Van Hoy) and included the track on ‘Oh, Girl’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1982).
Tanya Tucker recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘Heartache & A Half’ (co-written with Rafe Van Hoy and Eddie Struzick) and included the track on ‘Changes’ (Arista Records, 1983).
In 1983, Deborah Allen moved to RCA Records, where she achieved her greatest success, with the release, in September 1983, of ‘Cheat The Night’ (RCA Records, 1983), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Baby I Lied’ (written by Deborah Allen, Rafe Van Hoy and Rory Bourke) (No.4, 1983) / this track, which also reached No.26 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in January 1984, and reached the Top 10 of the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart in 1983, became Deborah Allen’s signature song
‘I’ve Been Wrong Before’ (written by Deborah Allen, Rafe Van Hoy and Don Cook) (No.2 in April 1984) / this track also reached No.1 on Cashbox Country Chart in the Spring of 1984
‘I Hurt For You’ (written by Deborah Allen and Rafe Van Hoy) (No.10, 1984)
Deborah Allen’s ‘Cheat The Night’ (RCA Records, 1983) also included the following tracks:
‘Cheat The Night’
‘Fool’s Paradise’
‘What’s The Matter With Me’
Deborah Allen’s ‘Cheat The Night’ (RCA Records, 1983) reached No.10 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1983.
John Conlee recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘I’m Only In It For The Love’ (co-written with Kix Brooks and Rafe Van Hoy) and included the track on ‘In My Eyes’ (MCA Records, 1983); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in September 1983.
Rita Coolidge recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘You Do It’ (co-written with Eddie Struzick and Rafe Van Hoy) and included the track on ‘Never Let You Go’ (A&M Records, 1983).
Tom Wopat recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘Nobody’s Fool’ (co-written with Rafe Van Hoy and Don Cook) and included the track on ‘Tom Wopat’ (Columbia Records, 1983).
Tom Wopat recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘I’m Not Worth The Hurt’ (co-written with Rafe Van Hoy and Eddie Struzick) and included the track on ‘Tom Wopat’ (Columbia Records, 1983).
Mickey Gilley (Monday 9 March 1936 – Saturday 7 May 2022) recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘You Never Cross My Mind’, which was co-written with Curly Putman (Thursday 20 November 1930 – Sunday 30 October 2016) and Rafe Van Hoy, and included the track on ‘You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me’ (Epic Records, 1983).
Janie Fricke recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘Let’s Stop Talkin’ About It’ (co-written with Rafe Van Hoy and Rory Bourke) and included the track on ‘Love Lies’ (Columbia Records, 1983); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in March / April 1984.
Tracey Ullman recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘Baby, I Lied’ (co-written with Rory Bourke and Rafe Van Hoy) and included the track on ‘You Caught Me Out’ (Stiff Records, 1984).
In December 1984, Deborah Allen saw the release of ‘Let Me Be The First’ (RCA Records, 1984), which was the first album to be digitally recorded in Nashville; the album, which was produced by Rafe Van Hoy, included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Heartache & A Half’ (written by Deborah Allen, Rafe Van Hoy and Eddie Struzick) (No.23, 1984)
Deborah Allen’s ‘Let Me Be The First’ (RCA Records, 1984) also included the following tracks:
‘I Can’t Stand It’ (written by Deborah Allen, Rafe Van Hoy and Bobby Braddock)
‘Your Love’ (written by Deborah Allen, Rafe Van Hoy and Steve Diamond)
‘Please Don’t Fall In Love’ (written by Deborah Allen, Rafe Van Hoy and Eddie Struzick)
‘Prove You Right’ (written by Deborah Allen and Rafe Van Hoy)
‘If I Didn’t Love You’ (written by Deborah Allen and Rafe Van Hoy)
‘Let Me Be The First’ (written by Deborah Allen, Rafe Van Hoy and Kix Brooks)
‘You Do It’ (written by Deborah Allen, Rafe Van Hoy and Eddie Struzick)
‘It’s A Good Thing’ (written by Deborah Allen and Rafe Van Hoy)
‘It Makes Me Cry’ (written by Deborah Allen)
Personnel involved in the recording of Deborah Allen’s ‘Let Me Be The First’ (RCA Records, 1984) included the following:
Deborah Allen (lead vocals)
Eddie Bayers (drums, percussion)
Tom Robb (bass)
Brent Rowan (electric guitar)
Steve Gibson (electric guitar, acoustic guitar)
Bobby Wood (organ)
John Jarvis (piano, keyboards)
Rafe Van Hoy (acoustic guitar, synthesizer)
Jim Horn (saxophone)
Steve Nathan (synthesizer)
Deborah Allen’s ‘Let Me Be The First’ (RCA Records, 1984) reached No.52 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1984.
Marie Osmond recorded Deborah’s ‘Needing A Night Like This’ (co-written with Eddie Struzick and Rafe Van Hoy) and included the track on ‘There’s No Stopping Your Heart’ (Capitol Records / Curb Records, 1985).
Lee Greenwood recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘Silver Saxophone’ and included the track on ‘Love Will Find Its Way To You’ (MCA Records, 1986).
Nicolette Larson (Thursday 17 July 1952 – Tuesday 16 December 1997) recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘If I Didn’t Love You’ (co-written with Rafe Van Hoy) and included the track on ‘Rose of My Heart’ (MCA Records, 1986).
Nicolette Larson (Thursday 17 July 1952 – Tuesday 16 December 1997) recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘Let Me Be The First’ (co-written with Kix Brooks and Rafe Van Hoy) and included the track on ‘Rose of My Heart’ (MCA Records, 1986); the track reached No.63 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1986.
In 1987, encouraged by her label, RCA Records, to explore and expand her musical horizons, Deborah Allen saw the release of a single, which was written by Prince Rogers Nelson (Saturday 7 June 1958 – Thursday 21 April 2016), under the alias Joey Coco, called ‘Telepathy’; the single did not chart.
An album of the same name, ‘Telepathy’ (RCA Records, 1987), was also released, which included another track, which was released as a single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘You’re The Kind of Trouble’ / this track was released as a single in 1987, but it did not chart
Deborah Allen’s ‘Telepathy’ (RCA Records, 1987) also included the following tracks:
‘Don’t You Think I Don’t Love You’
‘One Step Closer’
‘Somebody For Everybody’
‘Take A Picture’
‘What’s Right Tonight’
‘You Can’t Say No’
‘You Can Tell Me Anything’
Tanya Tucker recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘If I Didn’t Love You’ (co-written with Rafe Van Hoy) and included the track on ‘Love Me Like You Used To’ (Capitol Records, 1987).
In 2010, Tanya Tucker‘s ‘Love Me Like You Used To’ (Capitol Records, 1987), along with Tanya Tucker‘s ‘Girls Like Me’ (Capitol Records, 1986), was re-issued by Hump Head Records, as a ‘2-on-1’ CD set, ‘Girls Like Me / Love Me Like You Used To’ (Hump Head Records, 2010).
Juice Newton recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘If I Didn’t Love You’ (co-written with Rafe Van Hoy) and included the track on ‘Emotion’ (Capitol Records, 1987).
Marie Osmond recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘Let Me Be The First’ (co-written with Kix Brooks and Rafe Van Hoy) and included the track on ‘Steppin’ Stone’ (Capitol Records, 1989).
Patty Loveless recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘Hurt Me Bad (In A Real Good Way)’ (co-written with Rafe Van Hoy) and included the track on ‘Up Against My Heart’ (MCA Records, 1991); the track, which reached No.3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1991, featured harmony vocals from Deborah Allen.
During this time, Deborah Allen began to explore the songwriting influences in her deep Southern roots, recording the album ‘Delta Dreamland’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1993), which she co-produced with Rafe Van Hoy and Wendy Dougan and financed on her own; the album was released in February 1993.
Deborah Allen received rave reviews from the Nashville music industry for the raw honest emotion and earthy production of ‘Delta Dreamland’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1993).
In 1993, Deborah Allen made a deal with Giant Records to release the album under their label. It was also in 1993 when Deborah Allen saw the release of a single from the album, ‘Rock Me (In The Cradle of Love)’ (written by Rafe Van Hoy and Deborah Allen), which reached No.30 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart.
Although ‘Rock Me (In The Cradle of Love)’ (written by Rafe Van Hoy and Deborah Allen) charted at No.30 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1993, the record seemed to reach a much larger audience and status by virtue of the hit video which accompanied its release.
The video for ‘Rock Me (In The Cradle of Love)’ (written by Rafe Van Hoy and Deborah Allen) was filmed on Deborah Allen’s own 16mm Ariflex SR film camera and edited on her own Sony editing machine. Once again, Deborah Allen’s tenacity and ‘do-it-yourself’ attitude paid off when she received ‘The Music City Summit Award’ for her co-producing and co-directing skills.
Deborah Allen had one other charting single from ‘Delta Dreamland’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1993); the track ‘If You’re Not Gonna Love Me’ (written by Rafe Van Hoy, Deborah Allen and Mark Collie) reached No.44 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1993.
‘Delta Dreamland’ (1993) proved to be a landmark album, serving to show Deborah Allen as a new person, with more depth as a writer, as well as a more sensual image and a bluesy new style.
Deborah Allen’s ‘Delta Dreamland’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1993) also included the following tracks:
‘Delta Dreamland’ (written by Rafe Van Hoy and Deborah Allen)
‘Long Time Lovin’ You’ (written by Rafe Van Hoy, Deborah Allen and Larry Henley)
‘All The Loving & The Hurting Too’ (written by Rafe Van Hoy and Deborah Allen)
‘Emotional Moon’ (written by Deborah Allen)
‘Two Shades of Blue’ (written by Rafe Van Hoy, Deborah Allen and Bobby Braddock)
‘Chain Lightning’ (written by Rafe Van Hoy, Deborah Allen and Billy Burnette)
‘Undeniable’ (written by Rafe Van Hoy and Deborah Allen)
‘Into My Life’ (written by Rafe Van Hoy and Deborah Allen)
‘Rock Me (In The Cradle of Love)’ (written by Rafe Van Hoy and Deborah Allen) / this version of the track was a dance mix
Personnel involved in the recording of Deborah Allen’s ‘Delta Dreamland’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1993) included the following:
Deborah Allen (lead vocals, synthesizers)
Rafe Van Hoy (electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, vocals)
Brent Mason, Dann Huff and Billy Burnette (electric guitar)
Weldon Myrick (Monday 10 April 1939 – Monday 2 June 2014), Dan Dugmore and Tommy Spurlock (passed away on Sunday 28 November 2021) (steel guitar)
Mike Henderson (Dobro)
Glenn Worf (bass)
Lonnie Wilson (drums, cymbals, percussion, vocals)
Steve Nathan (keyboards)
Bill Cuomo (keyboards, organ, synthesizers, strings)
Vicki Hampton (vocals)
Deborah Allen’s ‘Delta Dreamland’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1993) reached No.55 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1993.
In addition to Deborah Allen’s personal albums, she contributed to the soundtrack of the 1993 film, ‘The Thing Called Love’, which starred River Phoenix (Sunday 23 August 1970 – Sunday 31 October 1993) (in his final film role), Samantha Mathis, Dermot Mulroney and Sandra Bullock.
Deborah Allen performed a rollicking version of the closing song ‘Blame It On Your Heart’, which was also recorded by Patty Loveless, along with the memorable ballad, ‘Ready & Waiting’ (written by Don Schlitz).
The soundtrack for ‘The Thing Called Love’ also featured appearances from Kay Toinette Oslin (Friday 15 May 1942 – Monday 21 December 2020), Webb Wilder, Jo-El Sonnier (Wednesday 2 October 1946 – Saturday 13 January 2024), Pam Tillis, Kevin Welch and Trisha Yearwood.
Mark Collie recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘Keep It Up’ (co-written with Mark Collie and Rafe Van Hoy) and included the track on ‘Mark Collie’ (MCA Records, 1993).
Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘I Hurt For You’ (co-written with Rafe Van Hoy) and included the track on ‘Final Touches’ (MCA Records, 1993).
In July 1994, Deborah Allen saw the release of ‘All That I Am’ (Giant Records, 1994), which was co-produced by Deborah Allen and Giant Records label head, James Stroud; the album was well received, with Deborah Allen’s single release, ‘Break These Chains’ (written by Deborah Allen, Kye Fleming and Mary Ann Kennedy), reaching No.66 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1994.
Deborah Allen’s ‘All That I Am’ (Giant Records, 1994) also included the following tracks:
‘Wrong Side of Love’ (written by Deborah Allen)
‘Thinkin’ Again’ (written by Deborah Allen)
‘My Baby’
‘Give It To Me’
‘Talkin’ To My Heart’ (written by Deborah Allen, Billy Burnette and Rafe Van Hoy)
‘Blame It On The Heat’ (written by Deborah Allen)
‘Hurt Me’
‘Leave My Heart Alone’ (written by Deborah Allen)
‘Boys On The Wrong Side of Town’
‘All That I Am’ (written by Deborah Allen, Kye Fleming and Mary Ann Kennedy)
Mark Collie recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘Lonely Streak’ (co-written with Mark Collie and Rafe Van Hoy) and included the track on ‘Unleashed’ (MCA Records, 1994).
Suzy Bogguss & Chet Atkins (Friday 20 June 1924 – Saturday 30 June 2001) recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘Two Shades of Blue’ (co-written with Bobby Braddock and Rafe Van Hoy) and included the track on ‘Simpatico’ (Liberty Records, 1994).
In the mid-1990s, Deborah Allen established a new co-publishing deal and record deal with Curb Music Publishing and Curb Records. Through her connection with LeAnn Rimes, who was intent on meeting Deborah Allen when she came to Nashville at the age of thirteen in 1995, to pursue a record deal of her own, Deborah Allen wound up with five songs recorded by the young and talented LeAnn Rimes.
LeAnn Rimes recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘Hurt Me’ (co-written with Bobby Braddock and Rafe Van Hoy) and included the track on ‘Blue’ (Curb Records, 1996); the track reached No.43 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1996.
LeAnn Rimes recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘My Baby’ and included the track on ‘Blue’ (Curb Records, 1996).
Mindy McCready (Sunday 30 November 1975 – Sunday 17 February 2013) recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘All That I Am’ (co-written with Kye Fleming and Mary Ann Kennedy) and included the track on ‘Ten Thousand Angels’ (BNA Records, 1996).
Tanya Tucker recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘It Hurts Like Love’ (co-written with Chuck Jones) and included the track on ‘Complicated’ (Capitol Records, 1997).
On Tuesday 13 October 1998, Deborah Allen saw the release of ‘Anthology’ (Renaissance Records, 1998), which included the following tracks:
‘Don’t Let Me Cross Over’, which was written by Benny Davis (21 August 1895 – Thursday 20 December 1979), Joe Burke (18 March 1884 – Friday 9 June 1950) and Mark Fisher (No.10, 1979) / this track was a duet with Jim Reeves (Monday 20 August 1923 – Friday 31 July 1964)
‘Oh, How I Miss You Tonight’, which was written by (No.6, 1979) / this track was a duet with Jim Reeves (Monday 20 August 1923 – Friday 31 July 1964)
‘Take Me In Your Arms & Hold Me’, which was written by (No.10, 1980) / this track was a duet with Jim Reeves (Monday 20 August 1923 – Friday 31 July 1964)
‘Nobody’s Fool’ (written by Deborah Allen and Rafe Van Hoy) (No.24, 1980)
‘You (Make Me Wonder Why)’ (No.20, 1981) / this track was a duet with Jim Reeves (Monday 20 August 1923 – Friday 31 July 1964)
‘You Look Like The One I Love’ (written by Deborah Allen) (No.33, 1982) / this track was a duet with Jim Reeves (Monday 20 August 1923 – Friday 31 July 1964)
‘After Tonight’ (written by Deborah Allen and Troy Seals) (No.82, 1982) / this track was a duet with Jim Reeves (Monday 20 August 1923 – Friday 31 July 1964)
‘Baby I Lied’ (written by Deborah Allen, Rafe Van Hoy and Rory Bourke) (No.4, 1983) / this track also reached No.26 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in January 1984 / the track also climbed into the Top 10 of the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart in 1983 and became Deborah Allen’s signature song
‘I’ve Been Wrong Before’ (written by Deborah Allen, Rafe Van Hoy and Don Cook) (No.2 in April 1984) / this track also reached No.1 on Cashbox Country Chart in the Spring of 1984
‘I Hurt For You’ (written by Deborah Allen and Rafe Van Hoy) (No.10, 1984)
‘Heartache & A Half’ (written by Deborah Allen, Rafe Van Hoy and Eddie Struzick) (No.23, 1984)
‘Let Me Be The First’ / this track was an album track in 1984
‘I Can’t Stand It’ / this track was an album track in 1984
‘Rockin’ Little Christmas’ / this track was released as a single in 1984, but it did not chart
‘Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me Baby’ (written by Deborah Allen, Bruce Channel and Kieran Kane)
‘Telepathy’ / this track was released as a single in 1987, but it did not chart
‘Undeniable’ (written by Rafe Van Hoy and Deborah Allen) / this track was an album track in 1993
‘Rock Me (In The Cradle of Love)’ (written by Rafe Van Hoy and Deborah Allen) (No.29, 1992)
‘If You’re Not Gonna Love Me’ (No.44, 1993)
‘Break These Chains’ (No.66, 1994)
‘Cheat The Night’ / this track was an album track in 1983
LeAnn Rimes recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘Undeniable’ (co-written with Rafe Van Hoy) and included the track on ‘Sittin’ On Top of The World’ (Curb Records, 1998).
LeAnn Rimes recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘Rock Me (In The Cradle of Love)’ (co-written with Rafe Van Hoy) and included the track on ‘Sittin’ On Top of The World’ (Curb Records, 1998).
LeAnn Rimes recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘All The Lovin’ & Hurting’ (co-written with Rafe Van Hoy) and included the track on ‘Sittin’ On Top of The World’ (Curb Records, 1998).
Following Deborah Allen’s success with LeAnn Rimes, her song, ‘We Can Get There’, was included on the four million-selling ‘Coyote Ugly’ soundtrack in 2000, and was sung by Mary Griffin.
In August 2000, Deborah Allen saw the release of ‘The Best of Deborah Allen’ (Curb Records, 2000), which included the following tracks:
‘Baby I Lied’ (written by Deborah Allen, Rafe Van Hoy and Rory Bourke) (No.4, 1983) / this track, which also reached No.26 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in January 1984, and reached the Top 10 of the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart in 1983, became Deborah Allen’s signature song
‘I’m Only In It For The Love’ (written by Deborah Allen, Rafe Van Hoy and Kix Brooks)
‘Born & Raised In Your Arms’
‘I’m Always Ready For You’
‘Under The Influence of Love’
‘Am I Good For One More Memory’
‘Make Love True’
‘I’ve Seen That Look Before’
‘All Wrapped Up’
‘Is It Love Yet’
‘Goodbye Love’
Brooks & Dunn (Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn) recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘Rockin’ Little Christmas’ and included the track on ‘It Won’t Be Christmas Without You’ (Arista Records, 2002).
In January 2003, Deborah Allen saw the release of ‘Hands On’ (Renaissance Records, 2003), which included the following tracks:
‘Hands On’
‘I Want You’
‘Anything Other Than Love’
‘I’d Rather Have You Back’
‘Tellin’ You From The Heart’
‘Deeper Water’
‘Just Another Someone New’
‘Back To Basics’
‘Exception To The Rule’
‘Never Gonna Run Out of Love’
‘With All My Heart’
‘Woman In Love’
In January 2006, Deborah Allen saw the release of ‘Memphis Princess’ (Renaissance Records, 2006), which included the following tracks:
‘Tired of Being Alone’
‘Matter of Love’
‘Falling In Love’
‘Love Me Like You Used To’
‘I Love You’
‘Someday Our Night Will Come’
‘Sail On’
‘Takin’ My Time’
‘Next Big Thing’
‘Natural Tears’
‘You Don’t Want To Touch My Heart’
‘Fantasize Me’
‘Tell Someone About It’
‘Woman’
Jeff Bates recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘Somebody’s Falling’, which was co-written with Kenny Beard (Thursday 26 February 1959 – Sunday 1 October 2017) and Paul Overstreet, and included the track on ‘Jeff Bates’ (Black River Records, 2008).
On Tuesday 16 August 2011, Deborah Allen saw the release of ‘Hear Me Now’ (Delta Rock Records / GMV Nashville, 2011), which included three tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart:
‘There’s A Last Time for Everything’ / this track was released as a single in 2009, but it did not chart
‘Amazing Graceland’ / this track, which was a moving tribute to Elvis Presley (Tuesday 8 January 1935 – Tuesday 16 August 1977), was released as a single in 2010, but it did not chart
‘Anything Other Than Love’ (written by Deborah Allen and Gary Burr) / this track was released as a single in 2011, but it did not chart
Deborah Allen’s ‘Hear Me Now’ (Delta Rock Records / GMV Nashville, 2011) also included the following tracks:
‘It Better Be Big’
‘Deeper Water’
‘Hands On’
‘All Because of You’
‘Never Gonna Run Out of Love’
‘What Makes A Woman’
‘All That I Want’
‘I Want You’
‘Tellin’ You From The Heart’
Jamie O’Neal recorded Deborah Allen’s ‘Rock Me (In The Cradle of Love)’ (co-written with Rafe Van Hoy) and included the track on ‘Eternal’ (Shanachie Records, 2014).
On Sunday afternoon, 19 May 2024, it was another good time with old friends as Gene Watson and his Farewell Party Band performed in Adkins, Texas for the ‘No Bull Radio God and Country’ show.
Note from Gene Watson
‘At the Adkins, Texas show, on Sunday 19 May 2024, I got a chance to catch up with two terrific singers, Deborah Allen and Linda Davis.
If either of these ladies are at a show near you, you don’t want to miss it.
I know you remember Deborah’s huge crossover hit, ‘Baby I Lied’ (written by Deborah Allen, Rafe Van Hoy and Rory Bourke) among others, and Linda won a Grammy for her duet with Reba McEntire on ‘Does He Love You’.
They’ve both had great careers and are still going strong’
• Visit Deborah Allen’s official site at deborahallen.com
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