Music: Gary Allan: 'Authentic talent' and friend of bull riders

It seems Gary Allan tilts the phrase 'Country and Western' as a musical genre,  more to the Western side of the equation, judging by his obsession with bull riding sports.  Country music has the strong regional imprint of the South, not least of all with its capital in Nashville.  But the idea of Western music takes me back to Gene Autry and those who follow in his trail.  But with historical mixes and matches and fusions and diffusions, is there today anything that can be meaningfully called 'Western.'  Maybe it's in music that's increasingly tied to the sport of bull riding and rodeo.  Not least to the commercial infrastructure of Professional Bull Riding, and Gary's the main guy singing for that audience.

— Musikos, refWrite Backpage music newsportter, analyst, columnist


Great American Country music (Jan4,2k130

Gary Allan’s latest smash hit, “Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain),” jumped from No. 9 to No. 5 on the country charts this week and sold over 112,000 downloads this week alone. The track’s immediate success has moved up the release of his new album, Set You Free, by a few months. The project will hit stores January 22.

“I think every album that I’ve made is a stamp on where I was at that moment in time, and this one is definitely no different,” Gary said. “I’m in a good place. I think with all the travel and all that stuff gives you the tools to write stuff like that.”

The good news keeps coming for Gary. His song “Bones” has been chosen as the official theme-song for the Professional Bull Riders’ Built Ford Tough Series 2013 season. The song will be featured as a highlight throughout the season with PBR including in in their television broadcasts. His partnership with PBR will also include sweepstakes and promotions.

“Gary’s music is authentic and resonates with PBR fans and our athletes,” Sean Gleason, PBR Chief Operating Officer,” said. “’Bones’ is the perfect evolution of opening song for our world-class broadcasts and we feel fortunate to continue our relationship with Gary, a true talent and friend of bull riders everywhere.”

Gary has worked with PBR for a number of years now. The title track from his last studio album, “Get Off On The Pain,” was used to open PBR’s broadcasts for the last two years. Gary shot the song’s video at a PBR BTS event.

Gary is also GAC’s Artist of the Month! Check out Gary’s Artist Section for exclusive interviews, photos and more!