Megan Gunn & The Pistoleros

Born in West Columbia, South Carolina, and raised in Florida from the age of 12, Allen Keene was practically born with rhythm in his blood. With a guitar-playing father, a singing mother, and a grandfather who sang and played drums, music wasn’t so much a choice as it was a family tradition. Allen picked up the guitar at five, discovered the drums at nine, and hasn’t looked back since.

Drawing inspiration from heavy hitters like John Bonham, Vinnie Colaiuta, Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, and Bill Ward, Allen brings a powerful combination of precision, versatility, and unapologetic rock ’n’ roll energy to every performance.

His musical résumé reads like a festival lineup gone completely off the rails. Allen has shared bills with legendary acts including Styx, Steve Miller, Michael McDonald, Merle Haggard, Alabama, Charlie Daniels Band, Blackberry Smoke, Blues Traveler, Coolio, and Motionless in White, among countless others. He’s also backed an impressive roster of artists, including Buddy Jewell, Bubba Sparxxx, Hunter Hayes, Charlie Hargrett of Blackfoot, Patrick Gibson, Randall Crawford, and many more.

Beyond the stage, Allen’s original rock projects—Verloren, The Sonic Explosion, and Confused Little Girl—showcase his musical roots, with recordings still available on streaming platforms.

As the drummer, backing vocalist, and sound engineer for Megan Gunn & The Pistoleros, Allen is responsible for keeping the band tight, the sound dialed in, and the entertainment going even when the audience can’t hear it. His favorite pastime? Delivering perfectly timed comments through his talkback mic just as Megan and Rich are about to sing.

Behind every great band is a rock-solid rhythm section. Behind this one is the Keene Rhythm Machine—with a microphone he probably shouldn’t be trusted with.