Glenn Allen

Music is my life passion. I began playing at 8 years old, the coronet, and picked up guitar about 10 years old. In my teens I studied classical guitar at London Central High School in the UK for most of the 70's. I began playing bass guitar around 1977, the year of the Punk Rock explosion! The re-invention of rock and roll! and The Clash was the only band that mattered After a 6 year hitch in the army as a Medic, I seperated from the service and hit the road with the Circus. Which is a whole other chapter in my life. I created a character named Willy Bologna and clowned around for a while.Around 1985 I discovered the Renassiance Pleasure Faire in Novato, Ca. If you ever went there you know what I am talking about. If not think Brigadoon, Hy Breasil, and the land of Tir nan Nog all rolled into one. Again my life turned a cornerOver the years I have taught myself and gained proficency on the Celtic Harp, mandolin,tenor banjo,5 string banjo, upright, fretless and electric bass, penny whistle and didjerido.As a pagan musician I feel it part of my path to give the world the gifts of creative music. It is my hope and greatest desire to make the world a little better than it already is.On the Gypsy Harp album I wrote or arranged, performed and recorded the entire record over the course of several years. it is an attempt to meld rock, celtic, blues, and folk into a unique blend. I hopefully will reach that lofty goal someday.I also recorded an album of celtic and folks tunes called Whiskey, Love and Rebellion, three things that make Irish music what it is.Again I played almost everything except a few vocal and drum tracks, where I was assisted by Bryn Tucker on octave mandolin and vocals and Nick Hochberg on conga and percussionCurrently I am studying ethnomusicology and writing a book about the origins of music. I am also recording new tunes for my harp. I am a street performer first and last. I enjoy the freshness, the edginess, of busking and what a great way to introduce people to the amazing sound of the harp.I first discovered the harp at Ren Faire in 1992. I got my first harp from the queen of the may. That harp became my constant companion for the next ten years. We traveled the length and breadth of the US and together we learned to make our music.My favorite bands I have played with over the years, ( At least the ones I can remember.) Fishtank Ensemble, Circus Contraption, The Keltic Cowboys, Black Velvet, The Gypsy Rovers, Mothership, Street Corner Gypsy, Wander the Earth.