MUSIC SCENE Deb Carson with Banana Records' Founder Doug Allen
Season 2 Episode 2251 · Jul 29, 09:10 AM
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In this episode of MUSIC SCENE, and part of our One Place, Many Voices - Pinellas County history series, Deb Carson chats with Douglas Allen, a cornerstone of the St. Petersburg cultural community and the founder of the world-renowned Bananas Records, established in St. Pete in 1977, and as its website proudly indicates, Bananas has “the largest collection of vinyl in the world!”
For the historical record, this interview represents a unique bridge across more than the
world’s largest collection of vinyl, and the world’s best record and associated vintage and music gear shop. But this interview also captures a century of Pinellas County history. Doug Allen is the son of Ralph Allen, an Army Air Corps veteran and master builder, and Doug is the grandson of Cade Bush Allen, the legendary 1920s St. Petersburg master architect and developer who shaped the physical landscape of our fair town including having founded the historic, beautiful and highly desirable Allendale neighborhood. Known for its lush oak canopy and architectural charm, Allendale sits on some of the highest ground in our area. Allendale sits 2 miles north of downtown St. Pete, and is bounded by 34 th to 42 nd Avenues North, and 7 th to 9 th Streets North. Through Doug’s multi-faceted story, we will explore a multi-generational family legacy of
craft and craftsmanship, economic resilience through the Florida Land Boom crash, and
the preservation of physical American culture.
🎤Welcome to One Place, Many Voices podcast series powered by Heritage Village, with support from a Florida Humanities grant. Listen anytime, anywhere to all the One Place, Many Voices podcasts on RadioStPete as we bring Pinellas County history to life through conversations with the people about the places and stories that define us. In 2026, there's a lot to celebrate including America 250, Heritage Village’s 50th anniversary and other milestones. The podcast series is inspired by the Smithsonian’s Many Voices, One Nation exhibit coming to Heritage Village this summer. About the One Place, Many Voices podcasts.
For the historical record, this interview represents a unique bridge across more than the
world’s largest collection of vinyl, and the world’s best record and associated vintage and music gear shop. But this interview also captures a century of Pinellas County history. Doug Allen is the son of Ralph Allen, an Army Air Corps veteran and master builder, and Doug is the grandson of Cade Bush Allen, the legendary 1920s St. Petersburg master architect and developer who shaped the physical landscape of our fair town including having founded the historic, beautiful and highly desirable Allendale neighborhood. Known for its lush oak canopy and architectural charm, Allendale sits on some of the highest ground in our area. Allendale sits 2 miles north of downtown St. Pete, and is bounded by 34 th to 42 nd Avenues North, and 7 th to 9 th Streets North. Through Doug’s multi-faceted story, we will explore a multi-generational family legacy of
craft and craftsmanship, economic resilience through the Florida Land Boom crash, and
the preservation of physical American culture.
🎤Welcome to One Place, Many Voices podcast series powered by Heritage Village, with support from a Florida Humanities grant. Listen anytime, anywhere to all the One Place, Many Voices podcasts on RadioStPete as we bring Pinellas County history to life through conversations with the people about the places and stories that define us. In 2026, there's a lot to celebrate including America 250, Heritage Village’s 50th anniversary and other milestones. The podcast series is inspired by the Smithsonian’s Many Voices, One Nation exhibit coming to Heritage Village this summer. About the One Place, Many Voices podcasts.
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