Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen to release rock album

SEATTLE — Paul Allen is known for co-founding Microsoft, owning the Portland Trailblazers, Seattle Seahawks and Experience Music Project in Seattle.

Wednesday morning on Twitter, Allen said he'll also soon be a major label recording artist with Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart.

Allen and his band, the Underthinkers, plan to release their major label debut "Everywhere at Once" on Aug. 6. In a tweet that included a link to the Amazon album page, Allen wrote that he's passionate about songwriting and excited about his new album.

Allen plays guitar on the 13-track album of what's described as "blues-based guitar rock nuggets."

Ann and Nancy Wilson, also Seattle natives who twice topped the Billboard Hot 100 Chart, are contributors on Allen's album. Joe Walsh, David Hidalgo of Los Lobos, and Ivan Neville also are contributors. The album is being released on Sony's Legacy Recordings label.

"Paul wrote or co-wrote every song on the album and also plays guitar on almost all the tracks," according to the Amazon description. "All of Paul's proceeds will be donated to the charitable organization of the EMP Museum."

Allen is among several celebrities who have double as rock musicians. Ryan Gosling, the Canadian heartthrob who is known for "The Notebook," released a debut album with his band in 2009.

Action movie star Steven Seagal released his first album in 2005 and toured with his band, Thunderbox, the following year. Actor and comedian Steve Martin started playing the banjo as a teenager and won a Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album in 2010.

Click through the photo gallery to see more than a dozen celebrities who double as musicians.

KIRO