It’s a dream come true for Jimmie Allen to have both Darius Rucker and Charley Pride sing with him on the song, “Why Things Happen,” from his latest Bettie James album. The seven-track EP includes collaborations with Tim McGraw, the Oak Ridge Boys, Brad Paisley and more, but it’s having both Darius and Charley together on “Why Things Happen” that means so much to him.
“It means that I’ve done something right,” Jimmie told Music Row. “It’s a stamp of approval on my music that I was looking for. Two guys that really helped pave the way for my career and helped me to move limitations that sometimes people might want to place on me because of the way I look. Those two guys showed that there are no limits.
“So to be able to do a song with the first black country star and the guy who is the black lead singer of one of the biggest rock bands of all time and for them to agree to do a song with me means they respect me and my music and that’s the biggest compliment I can get,” he added.
Bettie James was created as a way to honor both his grandmother, Bettie Snead, and his father, James Allen, both of whom have passed away.
“Growing up, my dad loved country music and my mom loved Christian music, and I loved R&B and rock and hip-hop,” Jimmie reflected. “I remember being a kid and saying, ‘I want to do something with Charley Pride and I want to do something with Darius Rucker.’ My dad introduced me to Charley Pride’s music, and we loved Brad Paisley and Tim McGraw so I wanted to do a song with them. My grandmother loved the Oak Ridge Boys, and of course, ‘Elvira.’”
Including the Oak Ridge Boys on “When This Is Over” felt like a full-circle moment for Jimmie, thanks to the personal connection he has with the historic quartet.
“[Oak Ridge Boys member] William Lee Golden’s son Craig is my tour bus driver,” Jimmie said of the song, which also includes gospel singer Tauren Wells and actress and singer Rita Wilson. “So that was my in. I was like, ‘Talk to your dad … I just reached out to guys that I happened to have relationships with that just happen to be legends. It still trips me out that I’m friends with these guys.”
Jimmie also cited “Made For These,” which he sings with Tim, as one of the most important songs he has ever released.
“I was just thinking about my musical journey, the hard times,” Jimmie said of the nostalgic tune. “I’m not where I want to be yet career-wise, but looking back about five years ago, you start to realize that the struggles and the life lessons you learn prepare you for the success you want to achieve.”
Bettie James is out now. It is available for purchase via Amazon