Kris Allen Is Moving to Nashville to Focus on Music and Family

Another American Idol winner is heading to Music City. Kris Allen, who won Season 8 of American Idol, has confirmed that he and his family will be leaving Arkansas and relocating to Nashville, Tennessee.

The move follows a pattern among past Idol winners who have found Nashville’s songwriting community and industry infrastructure a natural fit — names such as Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and David Cook have also built strong ties to the city. For Allen, the decision appears driven by a combination of career and family priorities.

“You may be the first person I’m telling this, but we’re actually moving to Nashville so that’s really exciting. It will be a great way to stay close to my family as much as possible. That way when I’m not out on the road I can do all my other work there. When we had our son we decided that this move would be the best way to spend more time together.”

Why Nashville?

Allen has spent increasing amounts of time in Nashville over the past year attending songwriting sessions and collaborating with other musicians and producers. Nashville’s collaborative environment, professional studios, and community of songwriters make it an obvious choice for an artist focused on both writing and recording new material.

Beyond the music industry advantages, Allen cited family considerations as a central reason for the move. With a newborn son, he indicated that relocating to a base where he can balance touring with studio work and family life was a priority.

New Album Close to Completion

Kris Allen has also been working on his next record with producer Charlie Peacock, known for his work with artists across genres, including the duo Civil Wars. According to Allen, the album is largely finished, and the team is now planning the best timing and strategy for its release.

“The record is pretty much finished — we just have to figure out when and how we’re going to release it. I’m really excited about the record, those details just aren’t 100% yet. We’ve been playing a lot of new stuff on the road that the audience will definitely get a chance to hear in Atlanta.”

Allen’s comments suggest fans can expect to hear new songs performed live on tour before the official release details are announced. He specifically mentioned Atlanta as a city where audiences will get an early listen to this new material.

Where to Hear and See New Music

In addition to live performances, Allen has been scheduled to debut new music at high-profile events and has performed new songs at venues such as the Natick Center for the Arts. Coverage of those appearances and announcements about his SXSW debut were part of recent press about his new music.

Kris Allen to Debut New Music at SXSW
Kris Allen Performs New Songs – Natick Center For the Arts – VIDEOS

The move to Nashville will likely make it easier for Allen to participate in songwriting collaborations, studio sessions, and industry events — all important elements as he prepares to promote the new album and continue his career beyond Idol.

Best Wishes for the Move

Fans and followers wishing Allen well can look forward to new music and more frequent updates now that he has chosen a creative hub for his family life and professional work. The relocation marks an important step as he balances life as a touring artist, songwriter, and parent.

Good luck on your move to Nashville, Kris!

Via AMG