Nolan
is the 6th of 10 children born to sharecropper parents. He
grew up in rural southern Alabama where he now maintains a
vacation home/office. After Military Service he settled in
upstate New York and currently lives there in the Niagara
Falls - Buffalo area. While playing music he also had
other jobs. Tiring of repeated layoffs he in 1977 started
his first 
business
which grew and continues to do very well. Today in
addition to being a Western Swing music performer and
Recording Artist other business interests include
Equipment Leasing and Financing, Real Estate, Financial
Consulting, Stock Investing and Collectibles. Nolan's
success has been phenomenal. He is living proof of what
hard work, long hours, perseverance and always putting his
customers first can bring.
Nolan Bruce Allen biggest musical influence, the
great and legendary Bob Wills unfortunately passed away
before he had the privilege of meeting him. He has met
several original members of Bob's super Texas Playboy
Bands and his daughter Rosetta who NBA says is a classy
lady with a very
appealing nature which he thinks may have been inherited
from her famous father. From Rosetta's book "The King
of Western Swing" and other sources NBA was astounded
to learn about the great many coincidental similarities he
shared with Bob. To highlight a few:
Both came from large farm families, plowed mules,
picked cotton & played with other poor kids.
Both are one of ten children.
Both had Fathers who were contest-winning fiddlers.
Bob wanted to be a Baptist Preacher. NBA's father was
a Baptist Preacher.
Both served their country in the Army.
Both have two brothers who also had bands.
Bob's brother Luke sang with his Texas Playboys.
Nolan's sister Betty sang with his Lone Star Band.
Both spotlight band members by calling their names
while performing.
Both often help out their band members, friends and
fans.
Bob was the oldest of ten kids.
Nolan's brother, named
Bob - was the oldest of ten.
And the greatest similarity of all...both overcame humble
beginnings and became immensely successful in their own way.
