Rance Allen

Rance Allen
Born November 19, 1948
Monroe, Michigan, United States
Genres contemporary gospel, Rhythm and blues
Occupation(s) Bishop, Songwriter, Singer, Keyboards, Background Vocals, Lead Guitar
Years active 1970–present
Labels Gospel Truth, Stax
Associated acts The Rance Allen Group
Website www.theranceallengroup.com

Bishop Rance Allen (born November 19, 1948) is an American pastor and gospel musician, and the founder and leader of the Rance Allen Group. He has been pastor of New Bethel Church Of God In Christ in Toledo, since its July 1985 establishment.[1] In November 2011, Rance Allen was elevated to the office of Bishop in the Church of God in Christ, for the Michigan Northwestern Harvest Jurisdiction.[1]

Allen was born in 1948 in Monroe, Michigan to Thomas and Emma Pearl Allen. He has eleven siblings, six sisters and five brothers.

Allen founded the Rance Allen Group in Detroit in 1969 joined by his brothers Thomas and Steve.[2] The group's incorporation of rock and soul into traditional black gospel music prefigures the crossover success of such artists as Amy Grant, Andrae Crouch, and The Winans.[3][4] In 1978, the group had a Top 30 R&B hit, "I Belong to You."[4] The group released Miracle Worker in spring 2000.[5]

Allen is married to Ellen Marie Allen (née Groves). The two were married on December 1, 1970 and have no children.[6]

Awards

Year Award-giving body Award Reference
2012 Stellar Awards Quartet of the Year: "The Live Experience II: Celebrating 40 Years of Music and Ministry" [7]
Traditional Group/Duo of the Year: "The Live Experience II: Celebrating 40 Years of Music and Ministry" [7]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Bishop Rance Allen Bio". The Rance Allen Group. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
  2. ↑ "The Rance Allen Group Story". The Rance Allen Group. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
  3. ↑ Hildebrand, Lee (1994). Straight from the Heart (Media notes). Rance Allen. Berkeley, CA: Fantasy Records. SCD-8589-2.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Rance Allen Group at AllMusic
  5. ↑ Bil Carpenter and Ron Wynn. "Biography". Billboard.com. Rovi. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
  6. ↑ "Ellen M. Allen Biography-New Bethel Bountiful Blessings COGIC". Retrieved 2012-12-18.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "RANCE ALLEN GROUP WINS TWO STELLAR AWARDS". christianpost.com.