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Gary Allan Biography
Review The Artist (16)
Those are words Gary Allan has heard whispered before. Debuting when he did in 1996, at a time when Nashville was scratching a rash of suburban cowboy hat-wearing newcomers, it was perhaps an inevitable response. But he had the edge of experience. Having honed an individual style on the honky-tonk circuit in his native California since age 12, Allan is nothing if not resilient, and like the long line of honky-tonk icons whose music has inspired him - Lefty Frizzell, Merle Haggard, Johnny Horton, Waylon Jennings, George Jones, Willie Nelson, Buck Owens - he's learned that the best way to meet a challenge is head-on. With a smile.
"There were these guys at Buck's place last night," Allan says, the day after giving a by-invitation performance at a Bakersfield birthday celebration for Buck Owens. "I was signing their Gretsch guitars. They were way into punk, and they said, 'Man, we thought you were just another hat act out of Nashville, and you rawk!' When people see you're real, they're so impressed, and they so want something like that. I've had those guys at my shows since I was 15. Our shows are different that way - I don't worry about politics too much. I go in and I have fun."
If Allan sounds relaxed, he's earned the right. After playing countless smoky bars with his dad as a teen, he led his own band through the clubs and fairs of Southern California for several years before signing with Decca Records and releasing two albums that each generated Top 10 hits (single "It Would Be You" climbed to #5). His just-completed third album, Smoke Rings In The Dark, is by far his most honest and rewarding release to-date. And the hard-working entertainer achieved that feat following the most tumultuous year the music industry's seen in decades. When Decca closed in January, corporate maneuvers could have relegated Allan to the "Whatever Happened To...?" column in tabloid rags. Instead, he was one of only four artists picked up by parent company MCA. His new deal afforded him the time and resources to create a more mature, career-defining record.
Co-produced by top MCA honchos Mark Wright and Tony Brown (a "magic combo" who had never produced together before, and specifically requested by Allan), Smoke Rings In The Dark features a more muscular sound, replete with some swing, bluesy shuffle and twang. Allan even tackles Del Shannon's "Runaway," a staple of every working band's song list. Country sounds come courtesy of Western country sidemen like pedal steel man Dan Dugmore, Allan's longtime bandmate Jake Kelly, and former Faron Young/George Jones fiddler Hank Singer.
"I always thought Gary had a very distinctive sound," Brown comments. "On Smoke Rings In The Dark, this new creative team (Brown, Wright, Allan) really maxed out a direction - we found Gary's musical identity." Adds Wright, "When I first heard Gary play live, it was all about his vibe and musical presence. On this record, we've finally captured the essence of his live performance."
While Nashville contemporaries issue safe pop garnished with occasional steel licks, Allan has synthesized the hard honky-tonk vibe with the high-energy immediacy of his live shows. But it's on ballads like the sophisticated title tune, Harley Allen's "Bourbon Borderline," and Buddy Brock's classic-sounding "Don't Tell Mama" that he really shows the depth and command of his critically praised "aching tenor."
A great singer sounds like they've climbed inside the song and are living it as they sing; there's no distance between their vocal and the song's emotion. When Allan sings, whether he's parsing a lyric with humor or pain, he sounds like he's down with the dust and sweat and compromise of everyday life. No high-glam stylings here.
Capturing that mix - the light and the dark, the laughter with the anger, the conservative and the unusual - goes to the heart of the sometimes contradictory cultural traditions that helped shape the divorced father of three. Allan calls the region around Orange County, California home, an area rich in country music history. It's one of the few places in Southern California with working cattle ranches, where cowboys still rope and brand and go two-stepping at night.
"We get asked a lot at shows, 'What's a guy from California doin' playin' country music?'" Allan says. "There's a lot happening on the West Coast. And it's different than Nashville. I never heard the terms 'radio-friendly' or 'commercial value' until I got to Nashville. When we were writing songs in California, we wrote 'em for how we thought they would come off in a club-y'know, 'How's this gonna be to sing live to people?'"
A short drive west from those cowboy roundups are the beach communities where Allan loves to surf - and where the punk and modern-rock scene still thrives. Interestingly, many of its pierced and tattooed denizens are also exuberant fans of country legends like Johnny Cash, Buck Owens and Hank Williams. Allan sees them at his own shows, and believes they respond to country music's relevancy.
"It's real life," he says. "The great country songs, they're powerful - I don't care what kind of music you listen to, they have a lot of soul. That's what a lot of country's lacking today."
Soul was a priority for Allan while hunting for songs for the new album. He heeded the lessons he's learned from years of reading audiences. The music - more specifically, the industry - has always gone through cycles. What outlasts trends are true stories and strong songs. Allan credits the new album's quality to the players and the fact that he was allowed to do three full song searches with publishers. Additionally, he hosted his own private guitar pull in a living room with cream-of-the-crop songwriters like Guy Clark, Harlan Howard, Harley Allen, Shawn Camp and Byron Hill. "They were there to pitch me songs, and they all pitched 'em acoustically," Allan says with enthusiasm. "It was awesome." Three of the album's best songs - Camp's "Sorry," and Allen's "Learning to Live With Me" and "Bourbon Borderline" - came from that enjoyable return to tradition.
That intimate setup also completed a circle, in a way, by returning to the basic importance of the singer and the song -- and listening. Allan's record deal was cinched by his extensive performance experience on the club circuit, where, like any stage-savvy veteran, he learned to listen to his audience and what makes them respond. For Allan, it's the live moments connecting him to an audience through song that still define country music. |
Would you please submit the latest Gary Allan biography to me? Thank You.
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Review about Gary Allan
Tracy Kelly | Reviewer: Tracy Kelly | 4/8/09
Gary Allen has stollen my heart. I can really relate to his music. My favorite song is "I just got back from hell",and "Johny Cash". I would love to meat him in person. I'm afraid my husband would have a little competition. Ha Ha lol. If I ever make it big in Nashville, mabey I'll get to meat him. My demo was cut at sound control studio and produced by Mark Mosley. Im a song writer and country singer as well. Gary if by any chance you read this please respond. with respect to you,Tracy Kelly from Hattiesburg Mississippi.
need advice | Reviewer: ashley | 3/5/09
Gary I really don't have that many friends maybe just one.But I have a really good life. i just wonder how do you make friends i mean i know your famous but you probably had a hard time when you first started out i just need some advice i don't just see you as a famous person but i see you as a person who is in this buissness for the love of music and how you can express yourself with it i hope you reply because i could really use your advice. i am about to turn sixteen and i hope i could see you in concert in evansville indianna for my birthday i think your really great best wishes and god bless
Love Your Music. | Reviewer: ashley | 2/3/09
Hey! Gary its me ashley I have just recently got your cds,tough all over and smoke rings in the dark for christmas. I have found that every cd of yours that I have gotton I love. You are a very good artist and I hope I can be a great country musician like you. Best of luck to you and stay strong.
girl who wrote my insperation | Reviewer: ashley | 10/4/08
hi gary its me agian i wanted you to know that your songs help me get through high school life i am pretty sure you know what its like to be a freshmen in high school its pretty tough and just knowing your music has gotton me through it you are still my insperation.
Your Music | Reviewer: jessica Day | 8/22/08
I've listened to all your songs and loved everyone of them. My favorite is smoke rings in the dark. There have been moments in my life that I could really relate to that song, and also songs about rain is a favorite of mine. when I listen to these two songs its like you know exactly how I'm feeling. I've been a fan of your's since i was 15 years old and I will be a fan forever even though I have never been to one of your concerts, I hope someday I will get lucky enough to go to at least one.
Gary x 7 | Reviewer: Amy | 8/12/08
I have been to every concert Gary has put on within a 3 hour drive of Kansas City in the past couple of years...bought his CD's, new and old and I just want to say Thank You, Gary! I love attending his concerts, and hearing his music live because it just touches some part of me every single time I hear it. I have made some changes in my life based on the music he sings/plays. I love watching the guitar player and the other band members smile during their performance and know that they are putting on one hell of a show for their audience. One thing he seems to tell us with his music is that life IS terribly hard at times (I know it's life and that's how it works), but that it does get better. Keep on rocking Gary - we need you, hopefully as much as you need us! Cheers!
my insperation | Reviewer: ashley | 7/9/08
your songs are so insperational i'm not just your biggest fan i understand your music its inspiered me to become a country music star when i am older it has always been a dream of mine to become a country singer i love all of your music and i wish you the best i don't know if i will be able to come to your concert in evansville but i am still one of your greatist fans you are awesome
amazing | Reviewer: rusty | 4/5/08
there are not alot of artist that have songs that everyone can relate to. After hearing your songs and about your tragic loss, you are a true insperation to country hopefulls like myself.I can only hope that I have the same strength and passion that you do while I'm on my journey. thank you and I look forward to your next album.
Gary is AWESOME!!! | Reviewer: Val | 12/4/07
Gary is just a one of a kind artist. From his voice to his stage presence, he is truly sensational! My friend, Cyndi, and I can't get enough of him! His songs are just so true and heartbreaking and to be honest have gotten me through some pretty tough times. So keep up the good work Gary. We love ya!!!!!
amazing artist | Reviewer: Anonymous | 8/7/07
I fell in love with Gary Allen's music a few years ago after seeing him on CMT. You can literally feel what he's feeling when he sings...truly a talent. I've only seen him once in concert and he's a million times more awesome in person. My heart and prayers are with you and your family Gary! Lots o' love from Texas.
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Review the Artist Gary Allan
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