{"id":1191,"date":"2013-01-21T15:42:10","date_gmt":"2013-01-21T20:42:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.gactv.com\/?p=37707"},"modified":"2013-01-21T15:42:10","modified_gmt":"2013-01-21T20:42:10","slug":"gary-allans-many-storms-led-to-a-career-hes-proud-of","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/kickincountry.com\/wp\/gary-allans-many-storms-led-to-a-career-hes-proud-of\/","title":{"rendered":"Gary Allan\u2019s Many Storms Led to a Career He\u2019s Proud Of"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Gary<\/a><\/p>\n

Gary Allan photo courtesy of UMG Nashville.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Gary Allan<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>broke onto the scene in 1996 with \u201cHer Man\u201d and has since released seven albums, five of which have gone platinum or gold. His latest single, \u201cEvery Storm (Runs Out of Rain),\u201d is sitting in the Top 5 at country radio and is the lead single from his new album, Set You Free,<\/em> out January 22. The track\u2019s title is fitting for Gary\u2019s career as he\u2019s weathered a number of storms while chasing his musical dreams.<\/p>\n

Watch Gary Allan\u2019s \u201cEvery Storm (Runs Out Of Rain)\u201d Video >><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

He started performing with his father and brother in clubs around Southern California at age 12 and by 15, received his first record deal offer. His father made him turn it down, saying he wasn\u2019t ready. He started pursuing a country career in earnest in his 20s, selling his construction company when a record deal seemed like a sure thing. That deal fell through however, and he sold cars while working towards his next break. A couple he\u2019d sold a truck to returned to the dealership one day, raving about music that had been left in the glove compartment. It was a copy of Gary\u2019s demo.<\/p>\n

Gary is GAC\u2019s Artist of the Month! Visit Gary\u2019s artist section <\/a>for exclusive photos, videos and more. And if you think you know everything there is to know about Gary, try our Gary Allan Celebrity Quiz<\/a> and put that knowledge to the test!!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI told them it was me and I\u2019d had a contract that fell through so I was saving money to go to Nashville and make a demo,\u201d Gary told the Kansas City Star.<\/em><\/a> \u201cThe wife asked how much that would cost. I said $10,000 to $12,000. Then the husband taps his wife on the shoulder and says, \u2018Write him a check,\u2019 which she did for $12,000. I gave it back and said I didn\u2019t want to feel like I owed them anything if it didn\u2019t work out. They just laughed and gave it back to me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Six months later, Gary used the money to go to Nashville and record a demo that would help him land a record deal with Decca Nashville, now MCA Nashville. Even as his career took off, Gary still weathered his share of storms. In 2004, his wife of three years committed suicide in the couple\u2019s Nashville home. The tragedy took its toll on Gary personally and professionally.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter she died, I couldn\u2019t write, I couldn\u2019t do anything, I was a mess,\u201d he told People<\/em> two years after her death. \u201cI was just packing stuff up one day, and a buddy asked me what I was doing. I said, \u2018Just puttin\u2019 memories away.\u2019 And then I laughed and said, \u2018Let\u2019s write that song.\u2019 And that\u2019s when I realized, I\u2019ve got a lot to say right now. It surprised me that I could do it. But what I realized is that music was my only real escape.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gary poured those emotions into his 2005 album, Tough All Over<\/em> which went on to achieve gold status. Even with the ups and downs and a tour schedule that includes at least 100 dates a year, Gary wouldn\u2019t trade his career.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a relentless lifestyle but I love it, the fast-pace and the grueling parts of the road,\u201d he said to the paper. \u201cIt never fades. You either love the hustle and bustle or you don\u2019t. Once I got my record deal, I knew this is what I wanted to do. It has been a real slow but steady climb. There have been peaks and valleys, but we\u2019ve managed to keep improving and getting bigger and attracting more fans. And what I\u2019m proudest of is I did it all my way. I\u2019m really proud of my entire past.\u201d<\/p>\n

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