Hailing from Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, Anna Jane Allen (aka Anna Jane Hresko) was a mainstay of Ohio and Pennsylvania's country scenes, with a career spanning several decades. In the late 'Fifties she and her husband Andy Hrenko played in Norman Loop's polka-country band, forming their own group, Anna Jane & The Westernaires, sometime later in the 1960s. An accountant by profession, Anna Jane found time to perform regionally in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia, making appearances on WWVA's "Jamboree" program, the Dickie Shock show in Sandusky, Ohio and the "Country Junction" TV program. She wrote much of her own material, and recorded numerous singles K-Ark, Varsity, and other indie labels. Her recording career had one odd feature: she put records out under several different names -- Annajane, Anna Jane, Anna Jane Allen and finally(?) as the leader of the multi-generational Anna Jane Allen Family Band, which she started in 1973. Though an alphabetizer's nightmare, Anna Jane had real country roots and cut a wide swath in the regional rust-belt twang scene. Here's a quick look at her career...
Anna Jane "Love/Life" (K-Ark Records, 1971-?) (LP)
(Produced by John Capps)
I'm not totally sure when this album came out, but it includes a version of "Stand By Your Man," which was a hit for Tammy Wynette in 1969, and some folks tag Anna Jane's single version with a 1971 release date... so who knows? Let's just say '71 until someone corrects us. Also not sure who was backing her on here, though it was probably some version of her band The Westernaires, which included Chuck Rhodes on steel guitar, Lou Rega (lead guitar), Greg Reynolds (drums) and her husband, Andy Hresko, on bass. They mostly played local shows, many centered around Connellsville, PA, at least according to some contemporary newspaper listings. Using her hairstyle as a clue, as well as the change in her stage name, I'd guess that this was her first album.
Anna Jane Allen "Born A Woman" (Lake Front Records, 1973-?) (LP)
(Produced by Chuck Chellman-?)
I'm not sure which of these albums was her first -- some sources say this LP came out in 1967, though 1972-73-ish seems more likely, as a string of singles with songs off this album came out between 1971-74. Also, her hair looks pretty wild and messy for a late 'Sixties gal. Anyway, the liner notes detail her career in western Pennsylvania, though they give no details about the musicians backing her or the album's producer: Chuck Chellman is credited on a couple of her singles. Interesting song selection, though, with material from Orville Couch (two songs), Cecil Null (one), Jimmy Peppers (four!), Arthur Smith ("Lonely People") and two from G. Russell and R. Russell. Many of these songs appear to be unique to this album, although Martha Sharp's "Born A Woman" was a big hit for Sandy Posey in 1966, and Cecil Null's "I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know" goes way back to Skeeter Davis's original 1953 version; also, songwriter Jimmy Peppers cut a single of his "You Can't Hurt Me Enough" in 1969. One song, "Since I Met You," is credited to Dave Provance, who was the arranger for her polka album below...
The Anna Jane Allen Family Show "Polka Time" (Lake Front Records, 1976-?) (LP)
(Produced by Joe Diamond & Dave Provance)
This is, indeed, a straight-up set of polka tunes... Apparently Anna Jane's husband Andy Allen played accordion and bass, while their daughters Debbie Allen and Patty Marie played a variety of instruments, including saxophone and clarinet, while their son, Andy Jr. -- who looks about ten years old on the back cover -- was on drums. There's no date on the disc, though I've seen it credited as a '76 release the same as the album below...
The Anna Jane Allen Family "You Are My Sunshine" (Lake Front Records, 1976-?) (LP)
A family band fronted by Ms. Anna Jane Allen, backed by a compact group who were (I think) all family members, including Andy Allen, Sr. (aka Andrew G. Hresko), Andy Junior, Debbie and Patty, though it's possible there are other uncredited musicians on here as well. The band was pretty good, though to be honest, Anna had her limitations as a singer... Anna Jane had a high vocal tone which could be bent towards a Dolly Parton-esque direction, but was maybe a little more in the Juice Newton range. She projects forcefully, but doesn't have a lot of intonation or emotional texture -- it's all forward propulsion, at least on this album. Regardless, this was a pretty ambitious band which performed quite a bit regionally, including shows in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. No date on this album, but it sure looks late 'Seventies, possibly early 'Eighties. Lots of cover tunes and possibly a few originals, though sadly no composer credits to back that up. Charming, but somewhat underwhelming... worth a spin, though.
Annajane (Varsity Records, 1967) (#1093-A/B) (7")
A: "Lets Put On Our Wedding Bands" (c: Andrew G. Hresko & Annajane Hresko)
B: "Do I Hear A Jukebox Playing" (c: Andrew G. Hresko & Annajane Hresko)
(Producer not identified)
Annajane (Varsity Records, 1967) (#1094-A/B) (7")
A: "Walk With Me To The Door" (c: Andrew G. Hresko & Annajane Hresko)
B: "I Know I'm Losing You" (c: Andrew G. Hresko & Annajane Hresko)
(Producer not identified)
Anna Jane (K-Ark Records, 1968-?) (#818) (7")
A: "Out Of Sight" (c: Anna Jane Hresko)
B: "One Who Loves A Lot" (c: Anna Jane Hresko)
(Produced by John Capps)
Anna Jane (K-Ark Records, 1968-?) (#868) (7")
A: "The Long Way Home" (c: Anna Jane Hresko)
B: "Hold Back My Tears" (c: Anna Jane Hresko)
(Produced by John Capps)
Anna Jane Allen (JEM/Prize Records, 1971-?) (#PR-98-12) (7")
A: "Nothing Can Hurt Me Now" (c: Jimmy Pepper)
B: "Yazoo County Trash" (c: R. Chancey & C. Rogers)
(Producer not identified)
Anna Jane (K-Ark Records, 1971-?) (#1008) (7")
A: "Games People Play" (c: Joe South)
B: "Stand By Your Man" (c: Billy Sherrill & Tammy Wynette)
(Produced by John Capps)
Anna Jane Allen (Stampede Records, 1972) (# 101) (7")
A: "You're Such Good Lovin' " (c: G. Russell & R. Russell)
B: "The Smear On Your Chinny Chin Chin" (c: Orville Couch)
(Produced by Chuck Chellman)
The Anna Jane Allen Family Band started in 1973, around the time this single was made, and recorded and performed regionally around Pittsburgh for years to come. Here we have two strong tracks, the first a sunshine country pop number, and the B-side a twangy Loretta Lynn-style battle of the sexes novelty tune. Good stuff!
Anna Jane Allen (Stampede Records, 1972-?) (#107-A/B) (7")
A: "The Lonely People" (c: A. Smith)
B: "Since I Met You" (c: D. Province)
(Producer not identified)
Anna Jane Allen (Stampede Records, 1972) (#108-A/B) (7")
A: "All I Had Wanted" (c: G. Russell & R. Russell)
B: "Part Time" (c: Orville Couch)
(Produced by Chuck Chellman)
