ALLAN RUST
Born on a farm in Fargo ND, Allan was blessed with a childhood filled with music. He grew up performing in church and school choirs as well as musical theater and dance. After high school, he moved to Los Angeles and graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (1991). Allan spent alot of time writting music and playing in strange bands in clubs along Sunset Bvld., but he worked mainly in musical theater along the west coast.

He later ventured into film & television. This sparked his interest in production. After producing a few films of his own, he engaged a new path of study at LACC, intent upon a film degree at USC. Before this goal was complete, Allan was asked join The Blenders (1995). This was a chance he couldn't pass up. It would give him the opportunity to further explore his songwriting and reunite him with his brother Darren.

The group was already in the mix stage of their "self titled" album, but they wanted Allan somewhere on the recording. He had just a few days to pack up his life in Los Angles and fly to Minneapolis. The group brought him directly from the airport to the studio at Paisley Park. He recorded the lead track on "Let It Fall", a song co-written by Paul Dunkirk, who left the group just the week before. Allan continued touring from coast to coast with the group while they recorded more albums.

In his free time, he worked diligently in graphic arts – taking on small projects while not on the road. Since he joined the group, Allan has designed all The Blenders' albums and press materials. In 1997 he started a media company which is now called Brand Hyke.

In 2000, The Blenders took time off for their families and do a little self-analysis. In 2001 Allan started a family and moved to St. Paul. He is currently a single father of two children: Malcolm and Alida. During his time away from the group, Allan developed a film and television production company called Ardent Entertainment with life-long friend, Scot Nankivel.

In 2002 The Blenders reunited to record their seventh album, "When It Snows". They toured that year during the holiday season to promote the record, which is their second Christmas album. Allan now looks forward to an annual Christmas tour with The Blenders while he continues his other creative businesses.

"My hobbies make up my entire professional life, so I cannot afford to treat them as such."