Jay Allen recently shared a full-circle moment with chart-topping singer/songwriter Billy Currington, an artist that Allen admitted he’s a “big fan girl of” and that had a major impact on his career.
On October 2, Jay Allen had a heartwarming reunion with Billy Currington at the Vilar Performing Arts Center Beaver Creek in Colorado during Elevation, an event inspired by Live In The Vineyard that showcases emerging artists.
Elevation Beaver Creek is a three-day gathering which aims to bring music industry professionals together to discover rising talents and help elevate musicians’ careers to new heights through musical exploration. This unique event combines music, wine, and adventure while offering stunning views of the Rocky Mountains and the vibrant fall foliage.
Full-Circle Moment
Following Billy Currington’s headlining performance on the Black Diamond Stage, Jay Allen had the privilege of reuniting with the “Good Directions” singer. Eight years after Currington offered him life-changing advice that motivated him to keep going on his musical journey despite some roadblocks, Allen finally got to graciously thank Currington in person.
The “Halfway House” singer documented the occasion and shared a photo with the chart-topping singer/songwriter on social media reflecting on the special moment.
“BILLY CURRINGTON. 8 years ago this guy saved my life. I was going through a divorce, my band broke up, what was about to be a major record deal 9 months in the making suddenly fell through, and I was done,” he captioned the photo. ”I decided to play one last show in Nashville, then call it quits. Billy happened to be at that show. He came up to me after and said, ‘buddy, don’t ever quit. You got something. Last man standing wins’ Fast forward, this week we’re playing the same event in Beaver Creek, CO at @liveinthevineyard and I finally got to thank him in person. As @bccoconutman would say… ‘God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy.’”
Elaborated On The Full-Circle Moment
One day following their interaction, Allen caught up with Music Mayhem to further elaborate on the full-circle moment.
“So, I grew up in a little town in Iowa and then moved to Nashville with a guitar and a suitcase and just went for it,” Allen explained. “I moved to Nashville ten years ago, and I started a band. We immediately got offered a record deal… But nine months into it, the deal folded. The president of the company told us it wasn’t happening. The band was obviously really hurt, so they broke up.”
After the band broke up, Jay Allen was determined to take to the stage one final time in Music City before packing his bag and moving back home to The Hawkeye State.
“I told myself, I’m going to play one more show, and [then] I’m going home to Iowa,” Allen continued. “So we played a show at 3rd & Lindsley in Nashville. There were like 12 people at the bar with their backs turned against us. We just did our deal for like an hour, and I walked off stage. I’m like, ‘that’s it, we’re going home.’”
Billy Currington Offered Jay Allen Life-Changing Advice
Moments after what he thought was his final show, he was approached by Platinum-selling artist Billy Currington.
“Billy Currington happened to be at the bar… He came up around and he just grabbed me and shook my hand and he said, ‘Buddy, never leave. Just watched your set. I have no idea who you are. Last man standing wins.’” Allen added. ”He told me his story, [he said he had] been in Nashville for nine years working in concrete and no one cared about him. He said, ‘just stick it out.’ So that’s why I stayed.”
He then admitted that it was “cool” to run into him at the event as he hasn’t gotten to see him “in a couple of years.”
“So, I ran into him last night and I got to share the story with him. Hug it out with him and it was cool. He’s a very kind, humble guy. Even though he has like a bazillion hits,” Allen concluded.
Opened For Matchbox Twenty
In addition to sharing a full-circle moment with Billy Currington, just a few days later he had the opportunity to open for a band he grew up listening to: Matchbox Twenty.
“I learned how to play guitar with Matchbox Twenty,” Allen shared. “Huge Rob Thomas fan.”
The concert, which took place on October 7 at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida, “a home away from home” for Allen, was an unforgettable experience.
He later took to social media to commemorate the show, sharing a highlight reel from the show.
“My life is complete,” he captioned the clip.
Whirlwind Year
These two events add to Jay Allen’s whirlwind year that found him signing a record deal with ONErpm Nashville, securing a manager, getting married to his wife Kylie Morgan, and more.
He also competed on NBC’s The Voice and earned a spot on Team Gwen Stefani and he was later stolen during the battle rounds by Stefani’s husband Blake Shelton. Since appearing on The Voice, Allen has taken his career to new heights with the release of several songs such as “Tattoos To Heaven,” his latest release, “Halfway House,” as well as “Jello Shot” and his soon-to-be debut single at Country radio, “No Present Like The Time.”
For more information on Jay Allen, visit his official website HERE.
