Jimmie Allen's Parents Played a Key Role in His Accomplishments

Jimmie Allen's parents, James Allen and Angela Allen imparted their best qualities to their son, who grew into one of the hardest-working talents in Nashville.

Jimmie Allen is a country musician born to James and Angela Allen. Even though his parents were no longer together by the time he was 12, his father initiated him into country music, and his mother sang with him in the church choir, where he learned to play various instruments.

His mother also instilled in him his impressive work ethic, resilience, and sense of humor, while his father showed him how to stand up for himself and his music.

Jimmie Allen's Parents Loved Different Music

The country star was born on June 18, 1985, and is part of a big family with four sisters and two brothers. The "Big In A Small Town" crooner affectionately called his father the "redneck of the family" in an April 2019 interview.

James was a small-town boy who served in the military as a marine and loved sports. He listened to only country music, and no one dared turn the dial on his radio.

James passed his love for this genre on to his son, introducing him to "country music through Aaron Tippin's music." The military vet consistently supported his son's musical career and encouraged him to persevere.

Recounting a memory from his childhood, Jimmie shared how his father used the music of Charley Pride, the pioneering Black country superstar, to assure him that his dreams were not bound by color.

His mother's devotion to gospel music contrasted with his father's love for country. Often accompanying her in the church choir, Jimmie absorbed the spiritual tunes and learned to play piano and drums.

While performing alongside his mom, he noticed one peculiar habit of hers—when she was ready to sing, her shoes came off. There is no symbolism; Angela admitted in an interview on the red carpet that taking her footwear off provided comfort.

Jimmie's mom loves his vibrant energy and diverse taste in music. She would often break into song when giving him tasks around the house, to which he responded in turn, transforming mundane tasks into musical moments.

Since he was a youngster, the country star would carve out a block of his day to express his love for his mom through words of affirmation and help with chores.

Angela and James divorced when the "Underdogs" singer was just 12, but his father remained integral to his life, even lending a hand to his ex-wife whenever something broke down around the house. Angela did not remarry.

Jimmie Allen Had a Touching Moment Related to His Father at the CMAs

In the fall of 2019, fans learned that Jimmie's dad had passed away at 65. The singer chose not to be by his father's deathbed because he did not want that to be his memory of his father. Instead, he went to their favorite fishing spot, where he got the call that James had died.

He honored James at the 2022 Academy of Country Music Awards, which he co-hosted with Dolly Parton and Gabby Barrett. The event was significant because he used to watch the ACMs and CMAs with his father. Jimmie reflected on the full-circle moment, saying:

"I got to co-host and perform a song ["Down Home"] I wrote about him on the show. I have been looking forward to it, like, 'Man, I get to have this moment to be closer to my dad.' It felt like forever [waiting] for ACMs night to get here."

"Down Home" encapsulates his cherished memories with his father and portrays the profound shift in his life since his father's passing. The singer ended his CMA performance of the song with a birthday shootout for his mother.

The former baseball player was the cook in the family.

The lyrics include a reference to James' passion for fishing, baseball, telling jokes, and, of course, country music. Jimmie had been reluctant to release the single until he was emotionally ready.

James wore the number 15 in his baseball days, which has since become a family symbol worn by Jimmie and his son. The singer's brother donned the number as a baseball player through high school and college.

The former baseball player was the cook in the family, making lasagne and spaghetti from scratch. He was very "hands-on" in preparing the food, butchering cattle and the deer they hunted, and filleting their catch of the day.

Jimmie revealed a concerning health pattern in his family. His father and paternal grandfather experienced their first heart attacks in their early 20s, and Jimmie had a heart attack at 21. James had a prosthetic leg, losing his limb to diabetes around 2018.

Jimmie Allen Is Close with His Mom

Jimmie's mom and her three siblings were raised by a single mother of Native American heritage, which helped his mother master the art of resilience from an early age. His mother's specialty in the kitchen is "Angie's All-Together-Now," a one-pot dish her son said was a hit or a miss.

Jimmie celebrates Angela for her creativity and unwavering diligence. She has a knack for changing the narrative by transforming hardships into adventures.

One standout story from Jimmie's childhood was when their home's electricity was cut off for several weeks. Undeterred, Angela transformed this challenge into an adventure, telling her children they were camping in the living room.

She set up a tent, packed sandwich meat in a cooler, and lit candles. Jimmie noticed how she had kept the electric garage door open the day before their power was cut. This was a pivotal chapter in his life, a masterclass in making the best of what you have.

The "Dancing with the Stars" contestant quickly acknowledges his mom's substantial role in shaping him into the man he is today. He credits his infectious humor and laudable work ethic to his mother.

Their bond is beautiful, and regular phone calls keep them connected. During a heartfelt interview, Jimmie dialed his mom's number to wish her a Happy Mother's Day.

The interviewer joined the conversation drawing out Angela to speak about a gift her talented offspring had given her—a brand new 2018 Nissan Rogue SUV. She also said her son was being humble.