She started her performing career in the late '80s, playing such well-known New York City roots music venues as the Rodeo Bar backed by her longtime band the Maudlins. She released critically acclaimed albums with that group and as one-half of the duo Parlor James with Lone Justice founder Ryan Hedgecock. Her 1996 solo album, Maudlin Years, on Koch Records, was cited by no less than Elvis Costello as one of his 500 essential albums in Vanity Fair. In 1999, Allison contributed vocals to Neal Casal's Basement Dreams. In 2000, Laura Cantrell covered Allison's "The Whiskey Makes You Sweeter" on her acclaimed debut, Not the Tremblin' Kind. 2001's Sad Girl, released in Europe on Glitterhouse Records and on Brooklyn-based label Diesel Only, featured contributions from such insurgent country notables as ubiquitous pedal steel player Greg Leisz, Mike Daly (Whiskeytown), Will Rigby (dBs, Steve Earle), and Neal Casal. ~ Erik Hage