Rising Stars: Meet Zach Allen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Zach Allen.

Hi Zach, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.

In 2006, after a series of failed attempts to become a waiter, construction worker, and vending machine owner (just to name a few) I was working at a marina when a friend who was aware of my passion for music, suggested I attend Full Sail University. With the support of my parents, we visited the school and 3 months later I left my hometown of Myrtle Beach to chase this crazy dream. It was crazy because the only thing I had going for me was passion. I had no background whatsoever in anything relating to this line of work, I had no connections, and it just felt like the right thing to do. Once I began attending classes, it at least seemed as if I had made the right decision. For the first time in my life, I felt I had found something I really loved.

After receiving my degree my intuition told me to move to Nashville despite not knowing one person. I’m glad I trusted my instincts. The first eight months were TOUGH. I worked at Guitar Center, did spontaneous production labor gigs, and did anything else I could find. I remember calling my parents from my run-down apartment that first year alone on Christmas Day because my boss would not give me time off for the holidays.

It’s times like that when you have to ask yourself how badly you really want this. Fortunately, my luck took a turn for the better shortly after this, and I landed an internship at The Tracking Room just a couple of weeks later. This was my first chance to step foot in the big leagues and I wasn’t going to take this opportunity for granted. I started working for free taking out the trash, getting coffee, sweeping floors—all the stuff people don’t want to do, but I did it to the best of my ability with a smile on my face. Fast forward six months and I started to get to set up mics, run cables, and meet the needs of the Producers and Engineers coming to work in our studio. This was the time when I really began to understand how records are made. I took mental notes daily of the way engineers would make a certain instrument sound but more importantly the psychology of how they talked to their clients and ran their sessions. Through this, I began to craft my own style. In the six years, I was at the Tracking Room, I was able to build the foundation of my network and hone my skills to a point where I felt ready to venture out on my own.

About eight months into being a freelance engineer I got the opportunity to work with Keb’ Mo.’ From the first session we did together it was very apparent how dedicated he was to his craft. By the same token, he was so present in every conversation that he had. Right around that same time I also started working with a Producer named Tom Hambridge who works with Buddy Guy, Kingfish, and many others. I look back on these two relationships as the pathway from surviving to thriving.

To sum it up, I got to where I am today by doing all the things that make anyone successful, regardless of their career path—hard work, perseverance, sacrifice, dedication, relationships, and passion. A little trust in the big man upstairs doesn’t hurt either.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?

Far from it. Different points along the way have brought different challenges. The hardest part for me was taking the first step. Once I had enough confidence in myself to go for it, anything seemed possible.

One instance, in particular, was towards the end of my time at the Tracking Room. A new boss came in, and let’s just say he was doing some things he shouldn’t have been doing. I was let go for challenging his authority. I really doubted myself during this time. I wasn’t sure if I had made enough of an impact on the people that I had met to survive this transition.

I remember telling my wife Stacie, “I guess I could go back to Myrtle Beach and open a flip-flop shop.” She laughed at me. I’m really thankful to her for lifting me up at that moment. Fortunately, since I had built quality relationships with several people, including Buddy Hyatt and Leigh Brannon, I was able to weather the storm and continue getting work.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?

I am a record producer, recording and mix engineer, and songwriter. While I’ve worked a little in just about every genre, I’d say I specialize in Americana, Blues, Country, and Roots music.

I’m most known for winning 3 GRAMMY awards. First in 2017 for the Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ collaborative album “TajMo.” Then again in 2019 with Keb’ Mo’ for “Oklahoma.” And most recently in 2021 for Christone “Kingfish” Ingram’s second album “662.”

I am hands down most proud of my family. I’m not sure any of this would happen without them. Having my wife and kids there daily is a great reminder of why I need to keep striving to be the best I can be every day.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?

Remaining present in all that you do is key. There’s so much more substance to everything when your focus is on the here and now.

Contact Info:

• Website: zachallenaudio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachallenaudio/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zachallenaudio