Gary Allan and Blake Shelton battled for most of the one-month voting period, but in the end, fans of the California-raised country singer would not be denied. Allan's 'Set You Free' was named the Best Album of the Year at the 2014 Taste of Country Awards.

'Set You Free' features the uplifting 'Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain),' a track that reached No. 1 in February 2013. Allan's current single, 'It Ain't the Whiskey,' is just as emotional, but it couldn't be more different. The country-heartbreaker finds this singer doing what he does best: delivering gut punches in a unique gravely tenor.

Shelton's 'Based on a True Story' finished a close second in the race for Best Album, followed by 'Fuse,' Keith Urban's new one. Tim McGraw's 'Two Lanes of Freedom' also did well, as did 'The Woman I Am' by Kellie Pickler. Albums from Ashley Monroe, the Band Perry, Brad Paisley, Brandy Clark, Charlie Worsham and Kacey Musgraves rounded out the voting.

This is Allan's first Taste of Country Awards win. Last year, Taylor Swift won this category with 'Red.'

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