Duane David Allen (born April 29, 1943) is an American singer and songwriter who had formal training in both operatic and quartet singing before becoming a member of The Oak Ridge Boys in 1966. Allen is the lead singer for the quartet and is heard on the majority of their most successful songs.
Allen is considered President and CEO of The Oak Ridge Boys. He is active on social media and feels an obligation to respond quickly to fans. Allen also plans out how many tour dates are needed each year for his employees to live comfortably.[1]
Allen was inducted in the Texas Gospel Music Hall of Fame,[2] and in 2014, he was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame.
Honors
In 2014, Allen received a memorial bridge honor in his hometown in Texas.[3] "I did not know until our bus turned down the small road that the bridge was on ‘our’ road," the singer said. "It was a complete surprise. I thought it would be south of our place, but when we turned down ‘our’ road, now named the Duane Allen Road, my stomach just about came out of my body. I was so thrilled that I did not have the proper words to express myself. I was still emotionally charged when I tried to speak.”
Personal life
Allen resides in Hendersonville, Tennessee. He was married to Norah Lee Allen, a backup singer on the Grand Ole Opry; she died in 2024.[4] Their daughter Jamie is married to musician Paul Martin, formerly of Exile, and of Marty Stuart's band, the Fabulous Superlatives. The Martins formed a family band with their children called Rockland Road. Son Dee is also a musician; both he and Paul Martin have performed with the Oak Ridge Boys.
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