Singer Jimmie Allen rocks Rehoboth Elementary

When forced to choose between performing on either TV’s “Fox & Friends” or at Rehoboth Elementary, country music singer Jimmie Allen didn’t hesitate. “Any chance to come here and meet the kids where I grew up is super important to me,” he said. “I’ve been so busy, and it’s great to come back.”

The Milton native and Cape grad was a top 40 contestant on “American Idol” in 2011, and has been touring and recording since then. He landed at Rehoboth Elementary June 4, just weeks after his Grand Ole Opry debut. Allen had a few minutes in the theater wings before students arrived to devour a scrapple sandwich from Jimmy’s Grille. “You can’t get these in Nashville,” he said. “And if the person making my scrapple isn’t wearing a wrinkled shirt, I’m not eating it!”

Allen’s second performance at a Cape school - his first was as a student at a Cape High talent show - transpired thanks to the Rehoboth Elementary PTO and Allen’s longtime bond with his H.O. Brittingham kindergarten teacher, Mary Beth Adair. “She’ll always be Miss Alexander to me,” Allen said, referencing Adair’s maiden name.

Though she retired two years ago as a Rehoboth Elementary kindergarten teacher, Adair has directed the school’s musicals for several years, including Countrymania in March. Countrymania cast members wrote fan letters to Allen, so he made a special trip to meet them. 

Before the performance, the Countrymania cast spent a few minutes backstage, where they eagerly grilled the good-natured singer. “How many songs have you written?” a student asked. “Oh, about 400 now,” Allen replied to a chorus of “oohs” and “wows.”

“Your hands must be really old,” the student shot back; Allen doubled over, laughing. 

When the burgundy curtains rose, the Countrymania cast flanked Allen on stage, singing backup to his hit single, “Best Shot.”

To introduce his next song, Allen told students about singing in church with his mother, and fishing with his grandmother at Roosevelt Inlet. As Mother’s Day approached, he wrote the song “Warrior” in their honor. “It’s a song for anyone with a strong woman in their lives, like a mother, grandmother, aunt or a teacher you love,” Allen said. “Go home and tell your mom she’s a warrior!”

He next launched into the Zac Brown Band’s “Chicken Fried,” sang the verse “cold beer on a Friday night,” and stopped short. “Oops! Let’s make that ‘cold chocolate milk on a Friday night!’” he said to laughter and cheers. “Y’all are funny!”

He sang his newest single, “21,” about growing up in Lewes and Milton, while students clapped along. Allen’s final message to students was to work hard and listen to their parents and teachers. “I have two words for you to remember: be kind,” he said. “You can be kind and cool at the same time.”

He called third-grader Jacob Blondin on stage and told him, “Your lunch ice cream is on me today, and here’s what I’m going to do. I’ll buy two ice creams. One is for you, and the other is for you to give to someone you don’t know, maybe someone quiet. Can I count on you?” Blondin nodded, a serious look on his face.

Allen’s next local performance will be as the opening act for Toby Keith at the Delaware State Fair in July.