Photo Biaba Sue Leonard

MICHELLE

I can't remember a time when I wasn't singing. As a very young child, I sang along with records of Broadway shows like Oklahoma, Annie Get Your Gun and Carousel. In high school I sang first in the choir, then graduated to the elite madrigal ensemble and later sang with a barbershop quartet. As a teen I learned a few chords on the guitar and fell in love with the songs of folk musicians like John Denver, Joni Mitchell  and  Buffy Saint Marie. After high school I moved from Florida to Colorado and soon found myself living in Nederland high up in the Rocky Mountains. I called "Ned" my home for over 22 years. I married twice, raised two sons and built two homes.  In 2003 I moved down the mountain and worked to become a better guitar player and singer. Now, years later, I am fortunate to be able to  play music with so many wonderful musicians many of whom I count among my best friends. A veteran of several front-range bands including Tupelo Honey, Little Liza Jane and the Slick Allen Trio, the one constant has been playing with my son Jay (check out this video of us playing at Stonebridge Farm). He and I learned to flatpick fiddle tunes playing them over and over on our lovely deck in Lyons. He played his first "gig" with me at the Boulder Creek Festival and we continue to play together with various musicians as Michelle Allen & Friends. As a singer-songwriter I strive to create songs that are true to life heart-felt  and well crafted. Whether re-creating traditional music or performing original songs my music reflects my love of American Bluegrass, Folk and Roots music.

Photo August Allen

JASON ALLEN "JAY"

Jay learned to play the upright Bass by jumping in with some very fast, very accomplished bluegrass musicians at the Lyons jam. He quickly became competent and then accomplished if for no other reason than to keep up with the pack. Jay returned from a long trip to Brazil and Bolivia with a Charango (Bolivian Mandolin) and has since delighted folks by playing fiddle tunes on this melodic ten stringed decidedly non-standard instrument. Jay's steady-at-the-tiller Bass playing and exceptional bluegrass fundamentals have been the foundation for most of Michelle's bands and all of her original music.  In addition to playing in at least three bands with Michelle, he has played in a number of other local bands, including the widely acclaimed Colorado Bluegrass band, "Ragged Union". Jay currently plays with the talented singer-songwriter David Coile.