Allen Nivens: Husband. Father. Singer. Songwriter. Son. Brother. Yellow Jacket. Grandson. Friend. Energy Salesman. Christian. Promoter.
Allen is an oil salesman by day and a musician by night and fantastic at both. He is a big fan of his family, his community, Frank Sinatra, the Allman Brothers and the young Elvis Presley. Nivens has lived in Hall County his entire life. He and his wife, Meg, have two children.
Being a musician himself, it is no surprise that one of his favorite activities in the county is attending the local live music offerings. We recently got to spend a few minutes with Allen in his home to ask him about his interests and thoughts about our community.
Question: What is your favorite thing about Hall County?
Answer: “Hall County is a very family oriented community.”
Q: If you could give a piece of advice to a crowd of people what would you say?
A: “Life is today.”
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: “Lonesome Dove.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?
A: Italy and The Virgin Islands.
Q: Who is one of the most interesting people you’ve met while living here?
A: “My grandad, Ed Nivens, is the most interesting person I know.”
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone in the world (alive and a non-relative), who would it be?
A: “Neil DeGrasse Tyson…The guy just fascinates me in every way. It is insane how big the known universe is and he does such a great job of putting it into terms us normal people can understand. ‘Cosmos’ is an awesome mini-series and well worth anybody’s time. He is today’s Carl Sagan.”
Q: If another seat at the table opened up, who else would you invite?
A: “Dan Brown, he is my favorite author. I picked him because I’d like to ask him some questions. I would also love to listen to what conversation might arise between he and Neil.”
Q: What former local business in Hall County makes you feel the most nostalgic?
A: Frierson-McEver, a former men’s clothing store that was on the Downtown Gainesville Square.
Q: When do you or have you felt the most satisfied in your life?
A: “One way of describing a moment of great satisfaction is when I hear my kids use unprompted gratitude and manners like thank you and yes ma’am.”
To read more Faces of Hall County profiles, click here.
The Faces of Hall County is a project to showcase the amazing people that live or work in our community. If you would like to nominate an interesting person to be featured please email babernathy@gonorton.com.
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