Country Band Makes Tour For US Troops

By: Brad Barnes
Date: February 2002
From: Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

  Joey Allcorn and his band play a lot of live shows and the boys are now working on the debut album, But now they are launching a European tour, thanks to the United Service Organizations.

  Allcorn and several members of his Hillbilly Band will join musicians from Georgiana, Ala., on a 42-day tour of military bases throughout Europe. They'll play traditional country music and rockabilly for American soldiers in Iceland, Norway, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Belgium and Germany.

  Georgiana by the way is best known as the birthplace of Hank Williams, the senior, whose music is one of the main sources of inspiration for the 21-year old Allcorn.
 
  While he fronts the band, with guitar strapped over his shoulder and cowboy hat worn proudly, backing him up are a slew of musicians who are a lot more seasoned. Guitarist Lucky Ward, 65, said he was happy to find a young face interested in what he called "good old country music" (Ward enjoyed a successful career himself, releasing several country albums in the 1960's)
 
  Allcorn's goal for the trip is plain but ambitious.

  "We're just trying to make people understand there are two kinds of country music. There's the real country like we play and then there's the rejected pop trash Nashville puts out and calls country," he said.

  Still, they make a good case just by performing.
 
  Allcorn's voice comes out a country tenor, eerily similar to Williams'. Behind him Shorty Petty plucks a sturdy rhythm on an upright bass that's taller than he is.

  "People tell me 'I went out and bought a Johnny Cash album because of ya'll.'" Said Allcorn, who finds himself playing in more rock clubs than country bars. Their live show features classics by Williams, Cash and Ernest Tubb as well as more modern traditional artists like Wayne Hancock, Hank III, and some of his original songs.

  In fact, Allcorn has befriended Hank III through their common love of, well, Internet-linked video games. "We play 'Monster Truck Madness' and lately we've been playing 'Unreal Tournament' and 'Leadfoot.'" Allcorn said.

  There'll be little time for games when Allcorn and company start the tour. They'll play 36 shows in 42 days. "We'll have six days off and I hope we're in some pretty decent places on those days." he said.

  The Columbus contingent will include at least Allcorn, Petty and drummer Ronnie Coleman. Dusty Sammons, a steel guitar player from Tampa, Fla., may join as well if there's enough room on the two bands rosters.

  The group hasn't been told when they're leaving yet - for security reasons in light of September 11th, Allcorn said. But it should be within the next few weeks.
  "They told us to get our passports and everything ready." Allcorn said.