Oral History Interview with Wendell Allen

Interview Summary

Wendell C. Allen: Box 402 Rosine. Ky. 42370, Identifies as a Methodist, single, born 1-17-37, occupation is surgical technologist

Ethnic Background: Grandmother was English, the Allen side came from Virginia to Ohio County in 1735

Moved from Mount Pleasant to Rosine forty-five years ago

It felt like moving to a city when he settled in Rosine compared to Mt. Pleasant

Father's family were farmers, father also worked in shipyard during WWII

Family later moved to Louisville, can remember the air raid drills during the war, lived there for about two or three years

Was primarily raised in Mount Pleasant, father wanted to come back to be with family

Mother worked at GE [General Electric] in Owensboro for 30 years then retired

Mother’s maiden name is Leach

Has three siblings, Connie Jean, Ronnie Noel, and David Joel

Allen lived in Owensboro briefly while working at the hospital, went to Brescia College in Owensboro

Aug. 16, 1985: moved to New Orleans, wanted to see the world

Dr. Gerald Edds talked him into coming back, worked for him at Mercy Hospital

People in New Orleans wanted him to come back, he returned, stayed there until 1988

Was supposed to work in an Ohio County clinic, but the project fell through

Called Daviess Co. and began work at Mercy and Daviess Co.

Worked at a medical lab in New Orleans

1964: worked at a hospital in Ohio County

Stayed in Daviess County for 22 years

Didn't feel a culture shock when he moved to New Orleans; missed family in Rosine

Attended Mt. Pleasant Grade School from the first through the eighth grade

Memories of moving to Rosine as a child during a snowstorm

Rosine School had two rooms, still standing, but it is now being used as a residence

School had a lunchroom and offered hot meals

Went to Horse Branch to High School, would ride the bus to school

There were twelve stores and a flour mill when his family moved to Rosine

People came to Rosine from the surrounding communities to run errands

Railroad played a factor in people coming to Rosine

Used to get mail four times a day via trains

Many young people have left the area for better economic opportunities

Had school plays, Christmas plays, pie suppers, dunking for apples, and fortune tellers

Worried about the future of Rosine since there are few young people staying in the area

Lots of music around Rosine, town had their own string band.

Twin Hills Dance Hall: sometimes rowdy, ended in the early 1940's

Shady Nook (located outside of Rosine) had dances too

Discusses the Rosine String Band

Does remember visiting Clee Baize’s (??) house

Discussing pictures

Children of Clee Baize

Talks about Uncle Pen

Allen side of the family played music and were singers, grandmother played banjo

Wendell does sing and play the auto harp, learned by ear, started on the piano

Played Chuck Wagon Gang from Texas songs in school

WOMI began a radio station in Beaver Dam

Allen had a radio program on WOMI during the 1950s

Was in his first group and did his first tape recording during high school

Began singing gospel in Bowling Green, Kentucky

Many people were trained in how to sing through singing schools at local churches

Teachers were local people, Ohio County has the oldest singing convention

1958: started singing with a woman and they sang everywhere they could

Recorded and EP (extended play) album in 1958 with four songs, called themselves The Harmony Heirs

Allen made a single record in 1964, also did some back-up singing for another group, in addition to gospel and folk songs

Allen appeared on a 30-minute TV show playing the auto harp

Mid 60's to 70's: wrote jacket covers (liner notes) tor record albums

1975: asked to do a song for Charlie Monroe

Allen frequently contributes articles to local newspapers and historical societies

Sang for the first time in public on Easter 1948 at the Mt Pleasant Methodist Church with sister

Sang at the Sports Center in Owensboro with the Oak Ridge Boys

Has been appearing in local TV for about five years, in the community, he is the person chosen for entertainment

Says that Charlie Monroe has made Rosine famous

Allen and Charlie Monroe were friends, and Allen was thrilled to have the opportunity to sing with Charlie Monroe

Met the Carter Family band, also traveled extensively, including to Europe