Allen Shamblin • Poets and Prophets, 2018
Poets and Prophets • 1h 43m
Allen Shamblin—the award-winning songwriter who co-wrote such classics as Miranda Lambert’s “The House That Built Me” and Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” reflects on his career during this November 17, 2018, edition of the Museum’s ongoing Poets and Prophets series.
Born in Tennessee and raised in Texas, Shamblin concentrated on sports in high school, drifted through college, and was working as an Austin real estate appraiser when chance encounters with legendary songwriters Billy Joe Shaver and Townes Van Zandt inspired him to try their craft.
After months of struggling, Shamblin finally completed a handful of songs, then stumbled into an introduction to a Nashville record-label executive. Her encouragement, however, ended up paralyzing him, and he suffered through two years of writer’s block before he was finally able to find his musical voice.
A gifted storyteller, Allen Shamblin recounts his journey here from untested amateur to one of Nashville’s most celebrated songwriters, pointing out the people—such as Country Music Hall of Fame songwriter Don Schlitz—who helped him along the way.
During the program, Shamblin also performs four of his songs, including “The House That Built Me,” which earned CMA and ACM nods for Song of the Year, and “He Walked on Water,” his first #1 song, recorded by Randy Travis.
FOR MORE
Explore the Museum’s public programming: https://countrymusichalloffame.org/plan-your-visit/exhibits-activities/public-programs/
FOLLOW THE MUSEUM
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/OfficialCMHOF/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/countrymusichof/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/countrymusichof
Up Next in Poets and Prophets
-
Jerry Chesnut • Poets and Prophets, 2009
Jerry Chesnut—the songwriter behind classic country hits including “A Good Year for the Roses” and “It’s Four in the Morning”—shares detailed, often funny stories about his work and his career during this September 26, 2009, program, part of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Poets and P...
-
Jerry Foster • Poets and Prophets, 2011
Jerry Foster—who, as a member of renowned songwriting team Foster and Rice, delivered country hits for stars including Charley Pride, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Paycheck—surveys his career and creative partnership with Bill Rice during a September 10, 2011, conversation at the Country Music Hall...
-
Jeffrey Steele • Poets and Prophets, ...
Hit songwriter Jeffrey Steele performs signature hits like “My Wish” and “What Hurts the Most” and talks about his songwriting process and inspiration during this September 27, 2008, program, part of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s songwriting-focused Poets and Prophets series.
Steel...
