Is Coleman, Texas the Mecca of Music? How many towns our size can claim two music
stars as hometown boys? Not many people know about these two guys, so maybe there’
s more out there wandering around with Coleman backgrounds. Of course, most of you
have heard of the first, Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn fame, but how many of you know
about Keith Allison? Not many I would wager.
Ronnie Dunn was born Ronnie Gene Dunn in Coleman, Texas on June 1st, 1953. He
attended thirteen schools in his first twelve years of school, being the son of a "rambling,
free spirited oil field worker" and very grounded, conservative Baptist mother. He began
school in Blanca, New Mexico and finished his formal education at Abilene Christian
University in 1974 as a psychology major.
"ACU" was a strict, conservative Churches of Christ establishment, and after finding out
that Ronnie was playing bass guitar and singing in bands in clubs in the Abilene area he
was given the choice to quit or leave the university. He chose to leave and moved to
Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Dunn has been recognized as Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI) country music
songwriter of the year twice. Billboard Magazine country songwriter of the year in 1996.
He has won over 20 BMI songwriting awards. He has been married for seventeen years
to his wife Janine and has three children, Whitney 26 yrs., Jesse 24 yrs. and Haley 12
yrs of age.
Brooks and Dunn have won more Country Music Association awards and Academy of
Country Music awards than any act in the history of country music. They have sold over
30 million records and continue to be one of the most consistently successful touring acts
on the concert circuit today. They opened for the Rolling Stones in 2006.
The Arista/Nashville duo’s landmark career achievements include "Entertainer of the
Year" for both the Country Music Association (1996) and the Academy of Country Music
(1995 and 1996). They have received "Duo of the Year" honors from the CMA for the
past 8 consecutive years, and duo nods from the ACM for 7 consecutive years.
Collectively, the Brooks & Dunn discography accounts for just under 21 million records
sold. With 1 Quintuple-Platinum, 2 Quadruple-Platinum, 3 Triple-Platinum, 5 Double-
Platinum and 6 Platinum RIAA Certified albums to their credit, the duo’s debut album
entitled "Brand New Man" is just shy of 6 million units sold. Their trail of hits includes 17
Number 1’s and 26 Top 10’s.
Brooks & Dunn are consistently among the top draws on the concert circuit; in fact, their
1997 tour, which they co-headlined with Reba, broke all previous highest-grossing
country tour records. The duo is currently in the throes of their Coors Light Tailgate Tour,
which is taking them away from arenas and back outside to fairs and festivals.
"I’m having such a good time playing music right now," says Brooks. "The band’s playing
good. The crowds have been really rocking. It’s good to get back outdoors and raise a
little hell." The only drawback of playing outdoor venues: Both guys suffer from allergies.
They both adapt by washing down antihistamines with Coke before going onstage. "A
poor man’s speedball," jokes Dunn.
Ronnie began his musical career as a solo artist. He charted two minor singles on MCA
Nashville in 1983 -- "It's Written All Over Your Face" and "She Put the Sad in All His
Songs". He is a member of both the Oklahoma and Arkansas Music Halls Of Fame.
If there was some way of getting in contact with Mr. Dunn, I would sure like to invite him
to come visit the Coleman County Sesquicentennial. I tried for years to get in contact
with Ronnie, but to no avail. Mayor Woody Maddox had even agreed to name a street,
or something, after our most famous resident. Who knows? Maybe this article will find its
way to Ronnie’s doorstep, and he’ll respond. That would be so great!
Now, I’ll try and tell you a bit about our second famous musician, Sydney Keith Allison,
who was born in Coleman on August 26, 1942.
I don’t have any personal info on Mr. Allison....I don’t know the name of his parents,
where he lives now, or if he has wife and children. The only personal info I have is that he
is the cousin of Crickets (as in Buddy Holly) drummer, Jerry Allison. But, there are a few
things I do know.
Keith’s main claim to fame would have to be having been a member of the great rock ‘n
roll band, Paul Revere and the Raiders. He also had a solo album called “Keith Allison in
Action”.
As a musician he worked with many of the big artists of the time, such as Vincent
DeRosa, Peter Tork, Larry Knechtel, Bobby Hart, Gene Estes, Tommy Boyce, Hal
Blaine, Micky Dolenz, Lonnie Shelton, Davy Jones, James Burton, Michael Nesmith.
He contributed to albums by Alice Cooper (vocals), Monkees (guitar), Rick Nelson
(guitar), Harry Nilsson (guitar), Paul Revere (organ, piano, bass, guitar, trombone),
Johnny Rivers (bass), and Tommy Roe (bass).
He was composer on several movies and TV shows, including the movie “The Night the
Lights Went Out in Georgia” on which he shared credit with Bobby Gentry, Mark
Lindsay, and David Shire.
Keith is also an actor, appearing in many movies and TV episodes, including Gods and
Generals, 7th Heaven, Finding Kelly, Fly Boy, Treasure of Pirate’s Point, Blossom, The
Love Boat, Sgt.Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Sextette, Ringo, Phantom of the
Paradise, Where Does it Hurt?, and Where The Action Is.
If anyone knows any more about Keith, or Ronnie, please let me know and I’ll try and
update our readers.
Anyway, Coleman has another nickname now to add to “Land of the Lakes” and
“Hunting Capitol of Texas”. Maybe we should call ourselves “Home of the Stars”, or
“Music City”, although I think the last one is taken.
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