Cover photo © 2025 Bob Kieser
Since Dexter Allen and Blues Blast last talked, his life changed dramatically. This 55-year-old guitarist, bassist, songwriter and vocalist is associated with the legendary Bobby Rush. In 2001, Allen was tapped by the southern soul blues icon and harmonica player to play lead guitar in his band, a position he filled for about 7 years. His connection with Rush continued after he launched his successful solo career in 2007, and the relationship hit a high point in 2024 when Allen’s contributions on Rush’s album, All My Love for You, helped that record win the Grammy for Best Traditional Blues Album. Allen has entered the top tier of the music world – the community of Grammy award recipients.
Allen said that he is in an “enhanced branding state” since the Grammy win. “I’m trying to ride the wave.”
During Covid pandemic, Allen bunkered into his home studio on the second floor of his garage and was doing some recording. Bobby Rush came over to see his set-up and liked what he saw and heard. Rush decided that he wanted to record his next album at Allen’s home studio. Allen served as the recording engineer; he also played bass and guitar on the record. Joey Robinson, Allen’s nephew, played keyboards and drums.
Allen was in Europe on tour when the record was nominated. “I was surprised. Bobby and I just wanted to put out a good record. We weren’t thinking about the Grammys.”
This type of recognition is long overdue for Allen. He has been a standout soul blues artist for decades, and he is revered in Jackson. In July, Allen won “National Blues Artist of the Year” at the 51st annual Jackson Music Awards. In a recent television interview, Jackson blues/rock artist Chad Wesley said, “Dexter is pure cool and wisdom.”
The road to the Grammy
Allen’s back story is not unusual for a Mississippi soul blues musician. He was born in 1970 and raised in Crystal Springs, a town of about 4,900 people located 25 miles south of Jackson. Allen’s grandfather was a farmer and his father was a pastor. Music was a major factor in Allen’s family life, and he started playing bass and guitar as a child. Soon, he was playing bass in support of the gospel vocal group in his father’s church. This led to other gospel gigs on both bass and guitar, and Allen began to sing, too. Gospel music was his focus for over 20 years of his musical life.
In 1995, Allen moved up to Jackson. He quickly began playing gospel music in various churches in the city. He also worked a string of forgettable day jobs to pay the bills. Allen was working with established gospel groups; the Robinson Brothers and the Dixon Singers. He also was dabbling in secular music via a group called the Airtight Band that played local casinos and house parties. His work in Jackson’s churches provided him with the connection that would change his musical direction.
On April 19, 2001, Bobby Rush and his band were in their van, heading to a gig in Pensacola FL. The driver suffered a heart attack, lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree. One of the band members was killed and nine other musicians in the van sustained injuries, including Rush. Once he recovered, Rush needed a guitar player. At that time, Allen was playing guitar at St. Luther Missionary Baptist Church in Jackson, and Rush was a member. Rush liked the way Allen played at church and hired him to join the band. The young guitarist became Rush’s musical apprentice, soaking up the veteran’s knowledge of the blues and his wisdom regarding the music business. Allen toured all over the world with Rush’s band and rubbed elbows with some of the top stars in the music industry, including B.B. King, Quincy Jones, and James Brown.
In 2007, Allen was ready to make a move. He told Rush that he wanted to go out on his own. Rush was very supportive of Allen’s decision and hired his former sideman’s band to open some of his shows. Allen recorded a self-produced album in 2008, Bluezin My Way. He couldn’t afford to pay musicians or a recording studio to make the record, so he played all the instruments himself and recorded it at his home studio. Allen’s dedication and hard work has continued through the years. Since his first record, he has released six LP’s, including a live album recorded at Morgan Freeman’s Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale, MS. Allen’s last release was in 2021. Keep Movin’ On is an all-original blend of blues, soul and funk that impressed the critics. Allen used his home studio again for this record. His expertise as a recording engineer and producer has grown significantly over the years. It was this expertise that led to Rush’s decision to record his Grammy-winning record at Allen’s home studio.
Allen has been adept at grabbing other interesting opportunities when they arise. In 2013, he was cast in the James Brown biopic, Get On UP as one of Brown’s musicians. He also received an unusual honor in 2014 when he received the House Concurrent Resolution No. 54 from the Mississippi Legislature for Accomplishments in Blues Music.
Riding the Wave
Mississippi holds the distinction of having the most Grammy winners per capita. The state has had a huge cultural impact despite its relatively small population. Allen joins a star-studded list of Mississippi Grammy winners, including B.B. King, Elvis Presley, Muddy Waters, Sam Cooke, John Lee Hooker and Leontyne Price.
Since the Grammy win, Allen’s visibility and stature has moved up several notches. He realized that this unexpected honor from The Recording Academy (the organization that bestows Grammy awards) provided an opportunity for career advancement. He realized he needed more capable representation. Fortunately, a new player appeared in Jackson that was a perfect fit for Allen.
The Frascogna Law Group is one of the top entertainment law practices in the United States. Unlike most other firms focused on this industry, it is not located in New York or Los Angeles. Since it was founded 50 years ago, Frascogna Law has operated from Jackson MS. The firm’s attorneys have authored books, produced movies, and arbitrated on Olympic committees. According to its web site, Frascogna Law’s clients have secured 18 platinum albums, 22 Grammy Awards, 34 Top 10 Songs, and have sold over 750 million albums. In early 2025, Mike Frascogna (the senior partner at the firm) launched Emerald Tiger Artist Management, a talent management company that specializes in artist development, international bookings, and festival placements. The firm is led by Frascogna Law attorney Kamel King, who became Managing Director of Emerald Tiger at the beginning of 2025.
Kamel King grew up in the entertainment industry. His father is Lee King, a legendary figure in the Mississippi broadcasting and music industry. Lee King’s career includes time as a radio broadcaster, a singer/dancer, radio/television engineer, DJ, television show producer/dance show host and concert promoter. He was hired by James Brown when Brown bought some radio stations and needed a radio engineer and DJ. Lee worked for the Godfather of Soul for over four years.
Kamel King has deep involvement with the blues community in Mississippi. He spent eight years with Visit Mississippi as Director of Cultural Tourism. One of his responsibilities was the management of the Mississippi Blues Trail, which grew substantially under his stewardship. King is also the author (along with author/journalist Joe Lee) of Jacktown USA, a book that focuses on the contributions of nine top Mississippi blues musicians. Dexter Allen is one of the nine artists featured in the book.
Allen was signed by Emerald Tiger earlier this year. He is one of five soul blues and southern soul artists on the Emerald Tiger roster. His fellow Emerald Tiger artists are Zac Harmon, Eddie Condon, Stevie J. Blues and J-Wonn (aka Jawonn Smith). The Emerald Tiger Artist Management web site states that the agency “empowers musicians with personalized strategies for global success, offering artist development, international bookings, and impactful partnerships to build sustainable careers and amplify their brand worldwide.” Allen is enthused about the support that his new management team will provide.
New Music, New Momentum
Along with the new professional representation, Allen has been working on new music. He contributed a track to a compilation album that is part of the Jacktown USA project. That record has been released, and is available on all major streaming services. Allen’s track on that album is Hooked, a high-energy funk tune that features his impressive vocal talent.
There is also a new album by the Dexter Allen Band that will be released in early 2026. The first single from that record, Shame, dropped on August 15. In addition to the driving funk grooves of this track, the record will include traditional blues and soul blues on this album. A second single from the new album will be released before the end of this year. Allen has assembled a top-notch band for the new album, and they have been joining him in his recent shows. The crew includes Frank White III on drums, Jonah Nelson on bass, and Fred Demby II on keyboards. Longtime Allen collaborator Joey Robinson also contributes his keyboard skills to the new album.
The Emerald Tiger team is putting the finishing touches on a music documentary that features Mississippi musicians, including Allen and the other artists featured in the Jacktown USA book and compilation album. The film is called The Next Verse, and its release date is October 16, 2025. Emerald Tiger’s Director of Creative Services, Chloe Sumrall, is one of the professionals that made this documentary, She has also been working with Allen on multiple fronts, including production of music videos, web site development and social media presence.
It is clear that Allen is heading into the last quarter of 2025 with tremendous momentum. With his new record, 2026 should be another year of “riding the wave” for this soul blues star.
