Bassist Sam Allison began his career as a teenager, leading a popular R&B dance band based in his native North Carolina. The group made nightclub and college/university appearances across the southeast U.S. Upon moving to Florida, Sam performed and recorded with Zeke Sheppard, rock band Headlines, and Grammy winner Blue Miller among others, alternating studio work with live performances.

Sam then began a lengthy stint as bassist/bandleader at Orlando's Cheyenne Saloon and Opera House. During that time the band made several national TV appearances (including one from Nashville's Grand Ole Opry House with Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson) and did occasional staff work as backing band for other artists on the Nashville Network. In the 1990s the band won the national grand prize of the GMC/True Value Country Showdown.