Andrew Allen scored his first hit in 2009, when “I Wanna Be Your Christmas” cracked the Top Ten in his native Canada. Although raised in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, his music evoked memories of a warmer place, with artists like Jason Mraz and Jack Johnson serving as touchstones for his acoustic pop/rock. Allen continued building an international profile in 2010, eventually signing a contract with Epic after spending much of the year on the road. ~ Andrew Leahey