A Rising Blues Star with South Dakota Roots Comes Home

The Cole Allen Band are in Sioux Falls to make their debut tonight (May 3) at Old Skoolz (921 E. 8th St) I first heard Allen's name when we went to the Famous Dave's Blues Fest in downtown Minneapolis during the summer of 2012. Allen did a solo set on the second stage, but there was something about his voice that really caught my attention and I told Sarah to remember his name, because I thought we'd be hearing more from him.

Fast forward less than a year and Allen has his full-length debut release coming out this month plus, he's going to be touring as part of JazzFest 2012 main stage performers, the Sena Ehrhardt Band during their summer shows!

Allen is a good looking, somewhat shy Minnesota/South Dakota guy in his mid 20's, but when he gets a guitar in his hands and steps on a stage, the shyness goes away and he let's out this guitar-slinging blues singer. Check out the interview below. Video one is all interview while the second video also includes Allen performing Let Me Know.

Toby Kane opens tonight's show at 8pm. The Cole Allen Band starts at 9. Tickets are $15 at the door. Allen looks like he's going to be added to our growing list of performers that we get to say 'remember the first time we saw him/her/them?' Allen is definitely a name you need to get to know.