WHAT: The Heart Behind the Music: Songwriter Showcase
WHO: Deborah Allen, Darryl Worley and Mo Pitney
WHEN: May 4, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Mars Theatre, 106 S. Laurel St., Springfield
TICKETS: $50 for show; $75 for private meet & greet prior to show; visit http://marstheatre.com/films-events-concerts/concerts-events/
RINCON — Numerous studies have shown that eating breakfast has plenty of health benefits. Deborah Allen discovered it can be boon to one’s music career, too.
Forty-seven years ago in an IHOP in Nashville, Tenn., Allen, just 18 at the time, spotted a couple of customers who helped change her life’s course.
“I had worked there briefly (as a waitress),” Allen said. “I was no longer working there but I had plenty of friends there. I could go there and have breakfast, and not feel bad about eating as the lonely girl all by myself.”
Allen was adjusting to living on her own, having moved to Nashville from her hometown of Memphis, Tenn.
“I saw this guy with jet black hair and another guy with kind of salt and pepper hair,” Allen recalled. “I thought, ‘Those guys look like they are probably in the music business. I am going to go over there and say, ‘hello.’ ”
The distinguish duo included legendary singer Roy Orbison and songwriter Joe Melson.
Allen didn’t pull off her bold move flawlessly. She flubbed her introduction.
““I said, ‘Excuse me. Are y’all in the insurance business?’” Allen recalled. “They said, ‘No, Darlin,’ we are in the music business.’ I slid in real fast and said, ‘That’s what I thought. I’m a singer and I’m trying to get started.’
“It was like right out of the movies. They were so sweet to me and didn’t kick me out of their booth. They really took me in and listened to me. They were so encouraging.”
About two weeks later while visiting the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, Allen received some pleasing news.
“You had to go there if you were going to get paid as a singer,” she said. “I went there to give them my number because I had gotten a phone. They said, ‘We are so glad you came by here. Guess who has been looking for you?’”
Yes, it was the distinguished IHOP customers.
“They said, ‘Joe Melson has called and he wants you to sing on a couple of tracks of Roy Orbison’s. I was just floored,” Allen said.
Allen’s daring decision to approach Orbison and Melson had paid off.
“I have a always had a curiosity and I’ve just loved people,” she said. “I have just lived life to the fullest and it’s just kind of been part of my story as I’ve gone along. I really haven’t slowed down on being open and meeting new friends.
“I was just following my heart and it resulted in a great opportunity.”
Working with Orbison and Melton set Allen’s career pendulum in a successful motion.
“It wasn’t one of Roy Orbison’s big projects but it gave me experience and added to my confidence in the studio,” she said. “Plus, I made money. I think I made $87.50.
“It was so exciting.”
Allen went on to perform with Tennessee Ernie Ford in Russia and sang at the Opryland USA theme park. She wanted more, however, and gave songwriting a try after receiving advice from Shel Silverstein.
“I was just afraid I was going to get used to making a regular paycheck and wouldn’t demand any more out of myself,” Allen said. “I was afraid I would get too comfortable and satisfied with just making ends meet and getting to sing.”
Silverstein told Allen that songwriting would be an outlet that allowed her to reveal her uniqueness. He was impressed with her first three attempts.
“He said, ‘I think you’ve got a way with words.” It gave me a lot of encouragement,” she said. “In an instant, it pretty much changed my life to have someone of Shel’s stature and talent believe in me and give me a vote of confidence.
“About a week later, I went home and visited my mother and daddy. She was standing in the kitchen and said, ‘Well, what are you up to these days, Sugar?’ I said, ‘Oh, I’m a songwriter now!’
“It was just like that!”
Fame and fortunate followed. LeAnn Rimes, Brooks & Dunn, Patty Loveless, Conway Twitty, Tanya Tucker, Janie Fricke, John Conlee, Isaac Hayes, Diana Ross, Sheena Easton, Fleetwood Mac and many others have recorded songs Allen penned. She wrote or co-wrote No. 1s “Don’t Worry ’Bout Me Baby,” “Let’s Stop Talking About It” and “I’m Only in It for the Love.”
Allen has also recorded 12 albums and charted 14 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. She is best remembered for the 1983 crossover hit “Baby I Lied.”
“I remembered (Silverstein’s encouragement) all my life, and I have always tried to carry that forward,” Allen said. “You never know what you are going to say to somebody that is going to change their life.”
Allen said there is no rhyme or reason to her songwriting method.
“To me, they can show up unexpectedly or show up when you sit down and make plans to open yourself up to it,” she said. “You can’t beat yourself up over it if it doesn’t happen right them but at least you make the effort to try. The more you times you try, you create a habit and discipline to write.
“Ideas have a way of showing up all hours of the day and night — even in your sleep.”
Allen will share the stories of many of her hits during “The Heart Behind the Music Songwriter Showcase” at the Mars Theatre on May 4. The event, set to start at 7 p.m., will also feature Darryl Worley and Mo Pitney.
“There’s really nothing like writing songs,” Allen said. “You get a lot of sole satisfaction out of it. When performing, I feel like there is a connection with the audience, but writing gives you the satisfaction of feeling like you are speaking the truth or you are pushing yourself to be as much as you are.
“It’s a different kind of good feeling.”
Allen said there is an endless supply of song subjects.
“I love to express myself on a deep level but I like to have a little fun, too,” Allen said. “I’m going to be doing a little bit of both when I come to see y’all (in Springfield).”
Allen thinks the songwriter showcase at the Mars Theatre is the perfect situation to tell stories and sing.
“I love to have an audience that is more of a listening audience,” she said. “It’s kind of like you are sitting in your own living room hanging out with people. I love reminiscing about how a song came to be.
“Each song has its own story and each song has its own way of coming into the world and inspiration.
“I’m really looking forward to going there.”
To obtain tickets to the songwriter showcase, visit marstheatre.com/films-events-concerts/concerts-events/.