Country artist Jimmie Allen dropped the first song from his upcoming 3rd studio album, Tulip Drive set to be released on June 24. The song is a duet of sorts with Jennifer Lopez. The pairing is an interesting one, because Jennifer served as a judge on American Idol season 10 in 2011, the year in which Jimmie competed.
The singer performed R&B on the show–determined by what little viewers saw of him. Although Jimmie made it as far as the Top 40, he barely made it to air. There are no full performances from him. His audition was included in a montage, and only bits and pieces of him were edited into the Hollywood/Las Vegas rounds.
Jimmie’s montaged American Idol 10 Nashville audition
A country remix of Jennifer Lopez’ “On My Way”
So, who knew Jennifer and Jimmie would collaborate in the future! On Twitter Jimmie wrote: “I meet @JLo for the first time In 2010 as a contestant on @AmericanIdol. soon as I heard “I’m Real”, I told myself one day we would do a song together and It happened. I’m honored to be a part of the reimagined version of ‘On My Way.”
“On My Way” is the theme song from Jennifer’s recent movie, Marry Me co-starring Owen Wilson. The new version is basically a country remix, with Jimmie’s vocals added. So not a duet exactly. But maybe someday the two will perform the song live on the concert stage or at an awards show. It could happen!
The song is reminiscent of the Rascal Flatts hit “God Bless the Broken Road.” It lends itself well to the country treatment.
Jimmie will join Carrie Underwood out on the road
The album Tulip Drive is deeply personal to Jimmie’s family ties – Tulip Drive is the name of the street his late grandmother grew up on. The singer’s 2018 debut album Mercury Lane was named for the street Jimmie grew up on, and his 2020 & 2021 releases, Bettie James & Bettie James Gold Edition, were named for his grandmother (Bettie Snead) and father (James “Big Jim” Allen), who passed away in 2014 and 2019, respectively.
Beginning this Fall and through Spring 2023, Jimmie will take his live show to 43 arenas nationwide as special guest on all dates of Carrie Underwood’s The Denim & Rhinestones Tour.
