John Schneider, known for his role as Bo Duke in ‘Dukes of Hazzard’, has released a new album titled ‘We Are Still Us’ as a tribute to his late wife, Alicia Allain.
The 63-year-old actor hopes that the album will offer solace and support to others who are mourning the loss of their spouses.
“What I’ve discovered is that there are — there’s a huge demographic of people who’ve lost a spouse out there, and people are afraid to talk about it,” the 63-year-old, who starred on the show from 1979-1985, told the Daily Mail. “So we really have no support system. We need that.”
He wanted to honor Allain’s professionalism and talent through their collaborative work as songwriters, which spanned several years.
John Schneider, Catherine Bach, and Tom Wopat in a promotional portrait for ‘The Dukes of Hazzard’. They played Bo, Daisy and Luke Duke, respectively. Credit / Silver Screen Collection / Getty.
Allain passed away in February after a four-year battle with breast cancer at the age of 53. “My bride Alicia and I did our own movies and our own music, so we didn’t work for anybody. So that was very, very helpful,” he said while attending the Drinks With Dee Dee Sorvino cabaret show in Hollywood earlier this week.
Sorvino lost her husband actor Paul Sorvino over a year ago.
Schneider added: “Now that, really, my much, much, much better half is not here, but waiting for me, I am trying to honor her professionalism and trying to honor her skill.”
Allain was a producer and actress known for movies like 1991’s Leather Jackets and Caged Fear as well as The Badge from 2002. The couple worked on eight movies together.
“I just finished a new album that I think is the best thing I’ve ever done. It’s all about her,” Schneider said, speaking of his late wife, admitting that although he believes the album may be helpful to others, her absence still feels overwhelming.
“I do believe it’s helpful, but honestly, I don’t see a time where this doesn’t hurt like hell,” he said.
Despite his grief, Schneider has found himself unexpectedly becoming a source of support for others who have lost their partners. He acknowledged that he never anticipated this role but is willing to provide a well-educated support system for those in need.
“I think people need to know it’s OK to love someone that much. In fact, it is how you should feel about your spouse. I have a lot of people say, ‘I wish my spouse felt that way about me,’” he stated.
“Well, maybe they do, and you’re just too busy in life to realize it,” he continued. “So if I can help one couple out there realize that they are perfect, then this will not have been in vain. I’m so grateful that Alicia never, ever, ever wondered for a second.”
Despite the pain of losing Allain, Schneider revealed that he still writes love letters to her.
“Every day I write a letter to heaven,” he said.