‘Best Shot’ hit-maker talks about his Ford truck roots, his path to stardom, and his goals as a Blue Oval ambassador.
Jimmie Allen worked a lot of odd jobs while he was trying to make it big in country music. In a recent interview with Variety, he said he used to be a janitor at a middle school, a busboy, a protein shake barista at a gym, and a contestant on season 10 of American Idol. Late last year, his debut single “Best Shot” hit the number one spot on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart. Now, he’s working with Ford and, if all goes according to his plans, he’ll be the next Toby Keith for the brand.
The 33-year-old singer’s connection to Ford goes all the way back to his childhood. Allen’s father used to drive a 1998 Ford pickup. That truck had more than just an effect on Allen’s taste in vehicles. It was in the cab of that truck that Allen’s father introduced him to country music. Allen told Variety, “Their brand, their history reminds me of my story and moving forward in life.”
Allen has certainly made a lot of progress over the years, having gone from sleeping in his car to where he is now. He’s not done yet. “I’m trying to be the new Toby Keith. I’m trying to be Ford tough. I want everybody to see a Ford sign and see my crazy looking face sitting there, smiling.”
Allen’s hard work has already paid off – in more than one way. He shares the screen with two Ford trucks (a lifted F-150 on aftermarket wheels and a kid-size Raptor) in the music video for his new song “Boy Gets a Truck.” It’s a fitting song for Allen because it’s all about how a pickup can change someone’s life.
Allen is also the star of a new video from Mid-South Ford Dealers (shown above) promoting the Premium Leather + Liner F-150, which features Katzkin leather seats and a bed liner. He said, “When I think Ford, I think family. So … to get a chance to work with a company that backs artists and supports music, but also ties back into my family, that’s something I’m all about.”
The next step forward for Allen is completing a movie about his life, struggles, and success. Ideally, he’d have Will Smith or Jamie Foxx play his father. We’ll have to wait to see who ends up playing the part, but we already know Allen won’t have a hard time getting a Ford truck for him to drive.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
