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Harley Allen Jr.

Musician · 1956–2011 · Dayton, Ohio
Best known for Guitar

Harley Allen was an Ohio-born guitarist, songwriter, and harmony singer — Red Allen's son and a Soggy Bottom Boy on "I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow" — whose Nashville cuts for Garth Brooks, Blake Shelton, Alan Jackson, and Dierks Bentley made him one of the most successful country songwriters of his generation.

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  • Born Harley Lee Allen on January 23, 1956 in Dayton, Ohio; son of bluegrass great Red Allen.
  • Performed early in his career with the Allen Brothers alongside his brothers; released three solo albums.
  • Relocated to Nashville and became a prolific country/bluegrass songwriter.
  • Sang harmony as a Soggy Bottom Boy on "I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow" from the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack.
  • Won two Grammy Awards in 2002: Best Country Collaboration with Vocals (for "Man of Constant Sorrow") and Album of the Year (O Brother soundtrack).
  • Wrote or co-wrote major country hits including Blake Shelton's "The Baby," Joe Nichols's "I'll Wait For You," Darryl Worley's "Awful, Beautiful Life," Dierks Bentley's "My Last Name," Alan Jackson's "Between the Devil and Me," and Garth Brooks's "Rollin'."
  • Died March 30, 2011 of lung cancer at his home in Brentwood, Tennessee, age 55.

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