The Allen Banjo Company was established in 1981 by Fonza Allen Smith shortly after graduating from the University of Houston.  After playing the banjo for six years and teaching banjo lessons at the University, it was only natural that he wanted to learn how to build banjos as well. After three years of research and development, the first Allen Banjo was introduced.

Fonza Smith and the Allen Banjo Company were featured in the December 2012 issue of Banjo Newsletter.