Allen Cheney

Allen Cheney is a film and television producer who turned his grandfather's life into narrative nonfiction. Crescendo, written with novelist Julie Cantrell and published by Thomas Nelson in 2019, tells the story of Fred Allen, a gifted Georgia pianist who moved from a difficult rural childhood to advanced musical study and professional production work. The book follows Allen through Juilliard, Union Theological Seminary, and Columbia University, then traces his decision to return south and teach music in Thomasville. Cheney approaches the subject as both grandson and producer, combining family memory with a chronological account of artistic ambition, marriage, teaching, and community influence. The book was Cheney's debut, and the Thomas Nelson edition carries the subtitle The True Story of a Musical Genius Who Forever Changed a Southern Town. Its film rights were later optioned by Streamline Global.