Local man creates Steelers tribute
The last time the Pittsburgh Steelers were in the NFL playoffs, Rick Allen of Franklin Township had an idea. “I kept hearing Steelers songs on the radio and I thought ‘I can write something better than that,”‘ he said.
The result is “Tough Ol’ Boys,” a tribute to the Steelers that is now receiving radio play on several stations in southwestern Pennsylvania.
Allen, a dairy farmer who formerly played in the band Roundhouse, used an original melody that’s been running through his head for the past 10 to 15 years for his song called “Tough Ol’ Boys.”
The country song, which is just short of three minutes long, pokes fun at the Steelers’ rivals: the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns. For an extra punch, the compact disc cover features Allen dressed in his overalls and holding a pitchfork that appears to pierce toys that represent the teams: a bird for the Ravens, a tiger for the Bengals and a dog, representing the Dawg Pound, for the Browns.
Allen said the cover photograph is a takeoff on the famous Grant Wood painting called “American Gothic” that featured a 20th century Midwestern farmer and his daughter.
But there’s no mistaking the intention.
“It symbolizes the Steelers took care of everyone in their division,” he said.
The CD cover notes the song is by Farmer Rick Allen. The character is a way for Allen to make himself stand out from the crowd.
“My dad had a saying when we were kids – ‘Dare to be different.’ That’s the way you get recognized,” he said.
Allen hopes the song will be around for a long time. When composing his lyrics, Allen decided to write a song that would last.
“I wanted to write verses that were relevant year after year,” he said. “I didn’t want to mention a player who was popular now and then have to change the song because he was traded or quit the Steelers.”
There is one player, however, who is mentioned in the song: Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris.
“It all started with Franco back in 1972 with the Immaculate Reception,” said Allen. “That’s sacred. That’s the number-one play in NFL history and it will be relevant forever.”
The Immaculate Reception is the name given to a catch by Harris in 1972 at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh in a playoff game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Oakland Raiders. It involved a deflected pass thrown by quarterback Steelers Terry Bradshaw that was caught by Harris, a rookie running back, who ran to the end zone for a touchdown. The phrase was first coined on the air by the late Pittsburgh broadcaster Myron Cope. Allen’s song also says that Steelers will make football history by winning another Super Bowl. He noted they have already won six, more than any other team, and that any other win will continue to make history.
Allen said he put effort into writing and producing the song. And it’s bringing him some attention.
The song is receiving radio play on Pittsburgh stations WDVE-FM and KISS-FM as well as Meyersdale station WQZS-FM. Allen has appeared to talk about the song on Uniontown-based WMBS-AM radio. The Steelers have heard the song. Allen said his daughter, Shelby, is dating Steelers special team player and defensive back Anthony Madison.
“After we got over the novelty of a Steeler coming to your house for dinner, I can’t say enough about him,” said Allen. “He’s a super nice guy.”
Allen said Madison enjoys the song.
“He loves it. He’s taken it to the weight room and all the Steelers have heard it,” he said. “They have ‘Country Thursday’ in the weight room and it’s part of the play list. Troy (Polamalu) said, ‘Who’s that?’ Anthony said, ‘It’s Farmer Rick.”‘
Allen plans to be watching the Steelers play the Ravens at Heinz Field on Saturday.
“I’ve always been a huge Steeler fan – all of southwestern Pennsylvania are Steelers fans,” he said. “After Christmas is over, if the Steelers make it to the playoffs, it’s like another holiday. It gets you through the winter.”
A link to “Tough Ol’ Boys” also can be found at www.heraldstandard.com. “I’m having a lot of fun with this,” said Allen.