Saturday, July 26th, 2003
RAIN OR SHINE
608-935-5993

Sponsored by the Dodgeville Area Chamber of Commerce

Max Allen is an 18-year-old singer/songwriter/guitar prodigy out of Indianapolis, Indiana, who has fronted several different bands over the last two years, including "Max Allen and the Jam Band", "The Max Allen Trio" and most recently "The Max Allen Band".

Max’s performances typically include a solid mix of originals and covers ranging from blues and rock to jazz, funk and jam. He plays guitar and sings with great feeling, energy and proficiency FAR advanced for his age. His shows have received great praise and have earned him fans wherever he goes.

Max’s debut album "No Way" was released in May 2001 (now in its second printing) and his second album "Mr. Big Man" was released in June of 2002. Both albums have received attention and airplay on several central Indiana radio stations. Over this past year Max has also performed live on multiple radio stations and on the local FOX TV station in Indianapolis.

Max performed at both the 2001 and 2002 Indy Jazz Festivals in front of literally thousands of festivalgoers. In 2001, after the first of a two-day performance schedule, Tasker Day (Executive Director of the Indy Jazz Festival) stated he was "blown away" by Max and recommended to his board members to catch the following day's performance saying "…. You've got to see this kid play!"

Max’s guitar style and technique come from several years of instruction in multiple genres of music, including blues, jazz, rock and classical. He has received formal training from some of the best artists in central Indiana since he was 8 years old. He currently receives classical training from Butler University professor Brett Terrell.

Max has had the privilege of performing with a number of great musicians, including some of Indiana’s best talent such as: Gene Deer, Gordon Bonham, Mike Milligan, Steve Brown, Dave Morgan, Jess Richmond and Governor Davis and the Blues Ambassadors. Max has also had the great fortune of opening for and or performing with several nationally known artists such as: Jim Ryser, Larry Crane, Chris Duarte, Dishwalla, Dickie Betts (former Allman Bros Band), Todd Rundgren and Daryl Hall & John Oates.

With hundreds of performances under his belt, Max’s stage presence and showmanship are well developed. Fans as well as venue managers have remarked about his spontaneity, ability to relate to diverse age groups and his overall entertainment value.

Bennett Williams sat behind a drum set for the first time when he was 14-years old. As if the rhythm was playing through him the drums almost played themselves – it became evident almost immediately that he was a natural born drummer.

Growing up in California and moving to Chicago at the age of 17, Bennett was exposed to a diversity of musical talent early on in his musical career including Jazz, Classical, Rock and Blues. He studied under jazz and studio drummer Joel Spencer where his roots in jazz drumming were formed.

Bennett moved to Bloomington, IN to attend Indiana University (BS Biology, Phi Beta Kappa). During this time he played with several bands including those into rock, funk, R&B and jazz.

Bennett has performed with such notable Indiana artists as Gordon Bonham and the Kelly Jay Orchestra. He also has a solo electronic music project called "Desert Planet" which mixes electronic music with live drum work.

Shawn Bryant has played guitar since he was 14-years old and has honed his skills on the bass guitar for most of his professional career. Being the son of a musician/guitar shop proprietor, he has been around music and guitars all of his life.

Shawn has played with a number of Central Indiana bands including Funk Bud Johnny and Milkweed Flyer. He has opened for Leftover Salmon and the Dirty Dozen Band.

He has been a working musician for the past 8 years and has been called on for session work and as a substitute player for several bands.

Visit The Max Allen Band web site at: www.maxallenmusic.com