by Brenda L. Madden

There is a brand-new children’s Christmas book on the retail shelves this year – The Loneliest Christmas Tree - a soon-to-be holiday classic - but this Christmas tree has some strong country roots. Singer, songwriter, entertainer and producer, Deborah Allen, has added author to her already impressive skill set. In 1986, Deborah conceived the idea and wrote The Loneliest Christmas Tree, but until recently, it remained unpublished. The missing piece was illustrator Molly Brooks (daughter of country music superstar Kix Brooks) who, ironically was born on Christmas Eve in 1986.

The storyline of “a solitary Christmas tree facing the threat of urban development and the unlikely hero that comes to its defense” is so Deborah Allen – it reflects her own optimism and the way she approaches life. When asked about the writing of the book, Deborah comments, “I was writing every day, anxious to see what was going to develop next in the story. It was around this same time that I had forged a friendship with a local Nashville woman who happened to be living on the streets. The character in the book, Christmas Carole, is named after that woman, and she turns out to be the hero in the story. Unfortunately, she passed away several years ago. I wrote The Loneliest Christmas Tree to communicate that anything is possible. We all have the capability to move mountains, even when it seems all hope may be lost.”

Throughout her career, Deborah has moved her share of mountains. She knew at a young age that she wanted to be a singer and there was no “Plan B.” However, it was a chance meeting with Shel Silverstein that would change her life forever and set her on the path to creating such monster hits as “Baby I Lied,” “I’ve Been Wrong Before,” “Rock Me,” “Wrong Side Of Love” and so many others. Before performing for Shel, Deborah never thought of being a songwriter, but with his encouragement, she tried her hand at writing. After Shel heard her first two original compositions, “Four Leaf Clover” and “Mother And Daddy,” he commented, “I think you got a way with words.” Thankfully, she has not stopped writing since. It is that same type of inspiration that she tries to “pay forward” today. Deborah explains, “It was just like a light switch went off in me. Just because someone as great as Shel took the time to listen to me and give me sincere advice and then encourage me. So I try to do that as often as I can with other people. You never know whose life you might change with just a good listening ear or just a smile. It’s so important.”

Now she is passing on that same inspiration to new artist, Margaret Phillips. They have collaborated on several songs for her debut record with Deborah sitting in the producer’s chair.

This year also marked the release of Deborah’s new album entitled Hear Me Now. The project packed full of Deborah Allen songs, again shows her diversity in writing, performance and production from the soulful gospel sound of “Amazing Graceland,” and the fun tongue-in-cheek song, “It Better Be Big,” to the first single, “Anything Other Than Love,” a country shuffle written with legendary songwriter, Gary Burr.

Deborah Allen’s spirit and talent have never been more evident than they are in her new projects. Her heart and soul can be felt in every musical note and every written word, and although The Loneliest Christmas Tree is a children’s book, the inspiration inside is for children of all ages.