Gary Allan

Gary Allan possesses one of the most distinctive male voices in country music, and he has used it to record some of the most varied hits of any male artist of his generation. The California native grew up in a musical family, and he started his career playing honky tonks with his father when he was 13. He released his first album, 'Used Heart for Sale,' in 1996, but it was really his third album, 1999's 'Smoke Rings in the Dark,' that was his commercial breakthrough, going Platinum. Allan was struck by tragedy when his third wife, Angela, committed suicide in 2004, and subsequent albums dealt with Allan's inner pain, particularly 2005's 'Tough All Over,' which produced a hit in "Life Ain't Always Beautiful." He has scored a string of No. 1 hits that include "Man to Man," "Tough Little Boys," "Nothing on But the Radio" and "Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)," and he turned in a slightly different musical direction for "Hangover Tonight" in 2015. The song is the lead single from a new album Allan has been working on, whose release date is yet unknown.

  • Real Name: Gary Allan Herzberg
  • Birth Date: Dec. 5, 1967
  • Top Songs: “Tough Little Boys,” “Life Ain’t Always Beautiful,” “Watching Airplanes”
  • Did You Know? Allan sold cars before he signed his first record deal.
  • Further Reading: Top 10 Gary Allan Songs
Gary Allan Reveals Full Story of How He Came to Nashville
Gary Allan Reveals Full Story of How He Came to Nashville
Gary Allan Reveals Full Story of How He Came to Nashville
The micro-version of how Gary Allan got to Nashville is well-known, especially among his loyal fans. The 'It Ain't the Whiskey' singer recently sat down to record his episode of Guitar Center Sessions, where he shared all of the details, including the song his benefactor heard before writing him a check for $12,000. Watch him tell the story in this video, premiering on Taste of Country.
Luke Bryan vs. Gary Allan – Hottest Country Star of 2013, Round 1
Luke Bryan vs. Gary Allan – Hottest Country Star of 2013, Round 1
Luke Bryan vs. Gary Allan – Hottest Country Star of 2013, Round 1
Round 1's first matchup is between the most recent ACM Entertainer of the Year, Luke Bryan, and Gary Allan -- a man with more songs in the Taste of Country Showdown Hall of Fame than any other artist. Sales figures and chart success from 2013 might be an edge for Bryan, but Allan's fans have proven again and again that they know how to vote.
Gary Allan vs. Krystal Keith – The Showdown
Gary Allan vs. Krystal Keith – The Showdown
Gary Allan vs. Krystal Keith – The Showdown
Gary Allan fans voted early and never let up. The singer's new song 'It Ain't the Whiskey' took over 80 percent of the Showdown vote, blowing out 'Peace Sign' by Jo Dee Messina. It's a powerful song with an long-lasting message, and it will have to top a playful country jam from Krystal Keith to move on to the Hall of Fame.
Gary Allan vs. Jo Dee Messina – The Showdown
Gary Allan vs. Jo Dee Messina – The Showdown
Gary Allan vs. Jo Dee Messina – The Showdown
It's right back to work for Gary Allan and his loyal fans. After edging out George Strait's new single 'I Believe' earlier this week, 'It Ain't the Whiskey' will spend the weekend battling 'Peace Sign,' the first single in three years from Jo Dee Messina. With two more wins, Allan will have yet another song in the Showdown Hall of Fame.
Gary Allan vs. George Strait - The Showdown
Gary Allan vs. George Strait - The Showdown
Gary Allan vs. George Strait - The Showdown
Gary Allan's powerful new song 'It Ain't the Whiskey' has stormed through its first two rounds of Showdown competition, but today's challenger might be a more imposing obstacle. Earlier this week, Allan's track took 86 percent of the vote in a win over Chris Stapleton's 'It Ain't the Whiskey.' That sets up a matchup with George Strait.

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