Born in 1985 in Jacksonville, AK, Kristopher Neil Allen embraced music at an early age. He took up the viola during middle school, earning a spot in Arkansas' all-state orchestra before teaching himself to play guitar several years later. While studying business at the University of Central Arkansas, Allen delved into songwriting and recorded an EP, Brand New Shoes, with the help of two classmates. The EP's material showed traces of Jason Mraz's soulful, folk-influenced pop; moreover, it gave Allen enough confidence to audition for American Idol in 2008