Jul 07, 2022

Introducing The Cover Star of Billboard's June Issue - Jimmie Allen

Jimmie Allen Covers Billboard's June Issue

Over the past few years, Allen’s seemingly inexhaustible supply of energy has proved especially useful — not only as his career has gained velocity since his first single, “Best Shot,” vaulted to No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart in November 2018, but also as he has become his own cottage industry. He runs management, production and publishing companies in Nashville, as well as a trio of businesses that include a septic-pump repair company in his hometown of Milton, Del. On top of that, he has launched a TV career, discussing big- and small-screen projects with UTA (he also co-hosted the 2022 Academy of Country Music [ACM] Awards with Dolly Parton and Gabby Barrett); published a children’s book, My Voice Is a Trumpet; and served as executive music producer on Titletown High, a Netflix reality show about a Georgia high school football team.

“I look at my music career like sports. If I’m not able to perform or create at a level that I’ve always done it, I won’t do it anymore. Imagine [Michael] Jordan in the NBA right now. You would easily forget about his greatness. You’d easily forget about everything he accomplished … because people are all about the right now.”

— Jimmie Allen

Click Here To Read The Entire Cover Story

Writer: Melinda Newman

Melinda Newman is Billboard's executive editor, West Coast and Nashville. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, she has covered culture and entertainment for over 20 years. Before returning to Billboard in 2017, she wrote for The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, Rolling Stone, Christian Science Monitor, Forbes, Variety, Parade and Entrepreneur, among others. The 2020 recipient of the Country Music Association's media achievement award splits her time between Los Angeles and Nashville and has reported from Mali, Peru, Lebanon, Poland and other corners of the world, but her favorite location is in the pit at a Bruce Springsteen concert.

Photographer: Eric Ryan Anderson
Eric is a commercial photographer and director based in Nashville and New York City. Directing and Photography clients include Apple, Sony, Dick's Sporting Goods, JBL, American Express, GNC, Under Armour, Bonobos, Comcast and IBM. Editorial clients include The Hollywood Reporter, GQ, Billboard, Rolling Stone, Spin, New York Times, Garden & Gun and Runner's World.