Keepin' it Country Media & Radio » Gary Allan

Country Music Hits the Sands of Sunny South Florida

Jennifer Swirsky — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 16:49:21 +0000

When you think country music, you typically envision open fields, farms, little green tractors, cowboy boots, and ten-gallon hats. When you think Kenny Chesney, you think all of those things – plus a little blue chair. Now take all of those things and add in the warm, beautiful beaches of Fort Lauderdale, Florida and a great cause and you have the incredibly exciting inaugural Tortuga Music Festival!

Kenny Chesney, along with pop, rock, and other country artists (20+ artists, mind you) you will be participating in Rock the Ocean’s first ever beach concert event on April 13-14. The artists will perform on three stages, each of which is directly on the beach. The lineup includes Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, The Avett Brothers, Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite, Gary Allan, Jake Owen, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Gary Clark, Jr., Eli Young Band, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Grace Potter, Kip Moore, Gloriana, G. Love & Special Sauce, Donavon Frankenreiter, Mac McAnally, The Wailers, Sister Hazel, Dangermuffin, Rayland Baxter, and The Bright Light Social Hour.

The Landshark Lager sponsored event was created by the Rock the Ocean Foundation, a foundation dedicated to supporting scientific research, education and increasing public awareness about the issues that impact the world’s oceans, and HUKA Entertainment. Additionally, Rock the Ocean and HUKA Entertainment teamed up with the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, an organization which advocates for sustainable fishing practices, funds inspired scientific research and supports innovative educational programs. During the event, there will be a conservation village designed to educate festival goers about different issues affecting the oceans including participation by organizations such as The Guy Harvey Foundation, the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission, the National Coral Reef Institute, & Ocean Conservancy – among many others. There will also be workshops on sustainable seafood with a tent designated to showing attendees how to cook wonderful dishes by using ocean friendly practices – and showcasing some of the best chefs in Florida. Additionally, artists will be accompanying the University of Miami’s Marine Biology program on shark tagging trips.

It isn’t too late to purchase your tickets for this two-day event like no other! Visit www.tortugamusicalfestival.com now to grab yours before the festival sells out!

The ACM Awards Take Over Fremont Street

Jennifer Swirsky — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 01:01:21 +0000

Country music is taking over Las Vegas in April, as the ACM’s head to Sin City. While the coveted awards show will take place on April 7th, it’s the days leading up to the awards that will truly be “must-see” events!

Fremont Street is located in the heart of Las Vegas, and is only second in popularity to the infamous Las Vegas Strip. The Fremont Experience is a pedestrian mall downtown, which takes up a five-block radius and is well-known for being home to the world’s largest video screen (a whopping 1,500 feet long!). So, who can you expect to see at the Fremont Street Experience, performing on this monster screen? An incredible line-up consisting of co-headliners Gary Allan and Jake Owen, along with Randy Houser, Chris Janson, Jana Kramer, Kip Moore, Joe Nichols and Sunny Sweeney!

For those of you who are lucky enough to attend this event (taking place on April 5th-6th), we have great news: It’s FREE!

Unfortunately for those of us who will not be in Las Vegas during ACM week, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas; however, we are counting on those of you who will be there to sneak us a little bit of information on this incredible event so we can live vicariously through you!

2013 One to Watch: Rose Falcon

Lydia Picknell — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 16:13:39 +0000

Last year, we introduced a new annual feature on Keepin’ it Country – Ones to Watch. Our predictions were pretty spot on last year, with Dustin Lynch and JT Hodges quickly becoming popular with country music fans. This year it’s time for a little love for the ladies – and our first 2013 One to Watch: Rose Falcon.

Rose, a singer-songwriter signed to Show Dog Universal, is the writer behind Country Strong’s hauntingly beautiful “Give Into Me,” and has been named one of CMT’s Next Women of Country. Rose, a songwriter just like her father, has been praised by the legendary Bon Jovi as a “true artist” and “an old soul in the voice of a beautiful young lady.” She recently released her single “If Love Had A Heart” to country radio, and she’s definitely one to watch out for in 2013.

In a country music world where males dominate airplay and it’s hard for a new female to break out, Rose is one you will be cheering for. With her talented writing and pretty vocals, she has what it takes to hold her own at country radio.

Check out her EPK below then read our exclusive interview with Rose. Get to know her before she takes over country – which she will:

For fans who aren’t quite familiar with you yet, how would you describe your sound?

My sound is fairly organic in terms of production-wise. I’m not a fan of production tricks, my songs are very lyrically driven and from the heart, and I don’t want the production to ever be distracting.

What attracted you to country music?

I think that country music is based on the truth and storytelling. I’m just a natural story teller and I have an obsession with the truth (laughs). I love documentary films and reading people’s biographies. I like to have conversations with people, and ones that really dig into what their truth is. Sometimes I wonder why people even bother with fiction since we all have such interesting stories as human beings.

Where do you find your inspiration from for your writing? Are they really all true stories?

Yes. I’d say 99% of the time, I might embellish here and there, but for the most part my songs are about feelings that I’ve experienced and things that my friends have experienced, or that I’ve just observed.

What is it like to have a song that you wrote with your father on a movie soundtrack?

Actually, it was probably one of the most incredible things I’ve ever experienced – to sit in the theater with him and see the song being performed on a big screen. He raised me; my mother passed away when I was four years old. It’s one thing to be successful at something, but to enjoy a success with someone you love so much and after you’ve shared so many hardships is really an incredible feeling.

You just released your brand new EP, can you share a little bit about it?

There’s a song that is my favorite song so-far that I’ve recorded on it, one of which being the single I have out right now “If Love Had A Heart.” I really love all the songs, there’s only six so I didn’t put anything on there that I didn’t like. There’s one called “Like Crazy,” and it’s just a statement about love saying that “I’m not perfect, but it’s these imperfections that make me who I am.” When it comes to love I’m kind of an all-or-nothing kind of girl. This song is about how I heard about what you said about your last girlfriend, you said she was absolutely crazy, and looking back she wasn’t worth a damn… so it makes me wonder what you’re going to say about me. It’s like that thing where you know guys always say their ex-girlfriend was crazy, and its just a common thing. So it makes me wonder what they’re going to say about me (laughs), I’m really crazy.

Anyway, there’s a song called “Carry Me Home,” and it’s a little different from my other songs. It’s a love song, but it’s not really a love song between a man and a woman, its a statement of faith. It’s about having faith even in life’s darkest days, you know? I’m really psyched about this EP.

Have you had a chance to hear your single on the radio yet?

I was so excited, I posted a video on my Facebook of me hearing it for the first time on The Highway. It was really cool, but kind of weird. A lot of times I’ll get in the car and it might be playing, and it gives me motivation to keep doing what I’m doing when I do hear it.

You had a pop music deal when you were younger with Columbia. Do you feel like there’s a big difference between pop and country music?

At this point, well, it depends what you’re calling pop music. I would say that the format maybe ten years ago was a lot like what country music is like now. I feel like my format as a pop artist changed, and it became a lot of hip-hop and r&b, and that artists like Sheryl Crow or Jewel got pushed out of the format. Now I feel like they’d be more put into the country format instead of the pop category. I miss Alanis Morissette and Fiona Apple.

You’ve been very active on Twitter with your fans. Is that important to you?

Yeah, it’s really important to me because I don’t take for granted that people may like my music. I make music regardless, it’s from my heart and really something close to me. The fact that somebody gets it and gets my message surprises me every time, and I’m so thankful. I want to let fans know that it means a lot to me that they’re taking their time to take a look at my song and download it. Every time they play it, that’s three minutes out of their day (laughs) so I appreciate it more than they know.

Do you have any touring plans yet for the year?

I don’t, actually. I’ve been still focusing on writing for my full-length album and promoting my single that we have out right now and the EP, but I am anticipating some shows this Summer. I just don’t have any details on them yet.

So, you are going to be releasing a full length album?

Well (laughs) that’s my plan! You never really know in this business what is coming next. Maybe the world is kind of revolving around EPs right now, I don’t really know. I’d love to release an album in its entirety.

What’s the best piece of advice someone has ever given you about the industry?

I would say just that if you want to be an artist or a songwriter, or something that involves the art, you can’t have a plan B. I strongly believe that because this is such a hard business to be in, and if you have a back-up plan then most likely you will end up taking it. I just believe that if this is what you really want to do, then go out and do it. I’ve had other jobs to make money when I was younger, I’ve had a lot of shitty jobs, but I could never get into another career that would distract me from my main focus.

Is there a song out on the radio that you wish you wrote?

My friend Eric Paslay wrote a song called “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” with Will Hoge, and it was nominated for a GRAMMY this year, and I’m really psyched for him. I love Eric and Will, and I’m just such a big fan of both of them. I heard that song on the radio again this morning and I really listened to the lyrics. It’s just an incredible song, so yes, I wish I wrote that song.

You signed to Show Dog in 2011, but have you been able to sit back and reflect on everything – or has it all been a blur?

I take time to reflect and meditate and be thankful. A lot of time when I’m driving down Music Row in Nashville, I just look around and I’m like “this is crazy, my dreams are coming true!”. I’m a part of this great community in Nashville, and I’m doing what I love. I just feel blessed.

Is there any chance for a music video for If Love Had A Heart?

Yeah, we actually recorded one in January with Travis TV. We have two videos – one for If Love Had A Heart, and one for Like Crazy. I think they’re going to be awesome.

Since you sound just like me on your official notes, (she doesn’t use a bio), and you can’t sit still… how do you keep busy on your tour bus?

(laughs) I’m going to write songs, I’m going to work. It’s so loud and there’s so much noise when you’re moving. Sometimes I’ll watch movies, or play on the computer and answer Tweets and stuff. Honestly when you’re on a bus you just sleep, then wake up and you’re at the place where you’re supposed to be.

What was it like touring with Gary Allan?

Ooh. We just had a great time and his band is so much fun. I actually had went through a break-up during the Throwdown tour and it was really hard one me, and they really got me through it. They just love to have fun, and I kind of needed a vacation from my problems so I just kind of hung out and had a good time (laughs).

If you could tour with anyone, who would it be?

I love Miranda Lambert. If I could do a little girl power tour, I would love to tour with Faith. She’s out in Vegas but she’s just an icon, she’s incredible. I’d love to tour with Gary Allan again. He really sings songs that are real and that I can relate to.

Could you share a little bit about your single, If Love Had A Heart?

If Love Had A Heart is a song that’s wishing that love was a little more kind with my heart. I’ve been through quite a few break-ups, and it’s not about one specific break-up, just my experience with love in general and being hurt. I kind of wanted to just make a statement saying that I’ve been there, and I know that most people have had a broken heart. The response has been overwhelming with girls tweeting out the lyrics “if love had a heart then it wouldn’t break mine.” I feel so blessed that people are relating to my lyrics and music.

—–

Connect with Rose by:
@rosefalcon
facebook.com/RoseFalconOfficial
rosefalcon.com

CONTEST: Win an autographed copy of Gary Allan’s Set You Free

Lydia Picknell — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 00:08:10 +0000

Platinum-selling country icon Gary Allan is only days away from releasing his brand new album “Set You Free.” The album, which features current single “Every Storm (Runs Out Of Rain),” is Gary’s ninth full-length studio record, and will be released on Tuesday, January 22nd. We’ve teamed up with Gary and the team at MCA Nashville to give one lucky fan an autographed copy of “Set You Free”! The contest is open immediately and until midnight EST on January 21st. The contest is open to legal residents of the United States and Canada, and you must be the age of majority of your province, state or territory or have parental/guardian permission to enter.

To enter the contest follow the easy Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!

Don’t forget to pre-order your copy of “Set You Free” on iTunes before it comes out on Tuesday! All pre-orders include an instant download of the track, “Bones” (selected as the official theme song for the 2013 Professional Bull Riders’ Built Ford Tough Series). The album’s lead single, “Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain),” has catapulted to #3 on Singles chart, and is now officially gold certified. Gary also used the song in a campaign to help raise relief funding for the Red Cross to aid victims of Hurricane Sandy.

The official album cover for Gary Allan’s Set You Free.

Check out Gary’s official music video for “Every Storm (Runs Out Of Rain)” below and enter our contest. Don’t forget to tell your friends!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DVR Alert: Gary Allan on Tonight Show

Lydia Picknell — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 18:12:01 +0000

Mca Nashville artist Gary Allan is to set to make late-night television appearances on NBC’s “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” on Wednesday, January 23rd at 11:35 pm EST. Gary will also make an appearance on NBC’s “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” on Monday, February 11th at 12:35 am EST.

Gary will be performing his newly RIAA gold-certified single “Every Storm (Runs Out Of Rain)” on both appearances. It’s the lead-off track from his brand new record, “Set You Free,” which hits stores on Tuesday.

In other television appearances, Gary will be a guest on GAC’s Daily Countdown every day next week, from the 21st to the 25th. He’ll continue his television takeover with specials on The Travel Channel’s Trip Flip, CMT’s Top 20, CMT’s CMT Insider, GAC’s Headline Country, and GAC’s Top 20.

Are you excited for new music from Gary Allan?

Gary Allan Launches Red Cross Campaign

Lydia Picknell — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 14:25:06 +0000

Country music icon Gary Allan has launched a very special campaign in support of the American Red Cross. He’s asking fans to donate to the organization to be able to download his an acoustic version new single “Every Storm (Runs Out Of Rain).” Each donation will benefit the disaster relief efforts made by the Red Cross.

Gary, who just filmed the video for the single in Nashville, quickly realized how appropriate the message of the song was for the Red Cross’ efforts for Sandy relief. Gary shared:

“My song ‘Every Storm (Runs Out Of Rain)’ is about hope and light at the end of the tunnel. With the devastation in the northeast region by Sandy, I thought this song was extremely timely. I wanted to partner with the Red Cross on this because they have always offered hope for those in need.”

Gary is currently out on a small tour across the United States, with his next date December 14th at Joe’s Bar in Chicago. For a full list of tour dates, or to help Gary support the Red Cross, visit his official website.

VIDEO: Gary Allan – Every Storm (Runs Out Of Rain) Lyrics

Lydia Picknell — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 14:28:09 +0000

Gary Allan has just released his brand new lyric video for his single “Every Storm (Runs Out Of Rain).” The country music icon’s single was a massive hit on its release – selling over 49,000 digital copies in just seven days. The MCA Nashville artist will finally be releasing his brand new record “Set You Free” sometime next year. Stay tuned to Keepin’ it Country to find out the latest news on his new album, including when you will be able to pick it up!

Gary produced some tracks on his upcoming album on his own, while the rest he teamed up with Joy Joyce and Mark Wright. Check out the official lyric video for lead-off single “Every Storm (Runs Out Of Rain)” below and let us know what you’re hoping to hear on his new record!

Gary Allan’s New Single Sells Almost 49,000 Copies First Week

Lydia Picknell — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 21:51:43 +0000

Gary Allan‘s brand new single “Every Storm (Runs Out Of Rain” is going to be huge. In just the first week of its release, its sold almost 49,000 copies alone – after being available on iTunes for just seven days. The track burst into the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles Chart with over 40 adds already.

It’s a song that Gary himself is pretty excited about. He shares a little about writing it:

“I wrote this one with Hillary Lindsey and Matt Warren. I’m really proud of how it turned out, and fired up about the huge response from radio and fans.”

The song is spinning on stations nationwide including: Nashville, San Antonio, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, Chicago, Atlanta, Detroit, Washington DC, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, Seattle, Miami, Las Vegas, Louisville, Kansas City and Orlando to name a few.

Gary has enjoyed watching the fans react to the song while performing it live on tour. On Tuesday night, Gary performed the new song along with crowd favorites when he headlined the WME Party during the 2012 IEBA Conference in Nashville.

Gary just announced he will be playing the House of Blues – Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve. Tickets for this event are on-sale now. For more information about the New Year’s Eve concert and all upcoming Gary Allan events, log onto garyallan.com.

Gary Allan Releasing New Album Early 2013

Lydia Picknell — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 13:09:46 +0000

Gary Allan will be freeing fans with his new record due out early next year! He’ll be releasing “Set You Free” in early 2013. The album will feature his current single “Every Storm (Runs Out Of Rain)”. The album is the follow-up to 2010′s “Get Off On The Pain.” “Every Storm (Runs Out Of Rain)” is a co-write by Gary with Matt Warren and Hillary Lindsey.

On why he waited so long between albums, Gary admitted he was waiting for a change at MCA Nashville. He got his wish earlier this year when Mike Dungan took over the label. MCA Nashville is under the Universal Music Group label.

Preparing For a Hurricane? Download These Storm Savvy Songs!

Jennifer Swirsky — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 21:05:36 +0000

This post is aimed at (primarily) my fellow Floridians as they anticipate and prepare for Tropical Storm/Hurricane Isaac. All of you who have been through one of these dreaded storms know that when the electricity goes out, it can be days (sometimes weeks) before it is restored. We at Keepin’ It Country thought it would be fun to give you some last minute storm savvy tunes to load on to your iPods. Hey, if you can’t avoid Isaac, welcome him with open arms … and great weather-related music!

1. Let’s get this thing rolling with a predictable lead-off hitter – Gary Allan. How could we urge you to kick off your storm playlist with anything other than “Songs About Rain”?

2. In true Florida fashion, tell Isaac to “BRING IT!” with Jo Dee Messina‘s beautiful ballad “Bring on the Rain.”

3. Naturally, as you are storm-readying your homes, a little “Storm Warning” from Hunter Hayes is more entertaining than these speculative meteorologists on your local news stations!

4. Let’s be a little optimistic here as we sit and wait to be pummeled with rain. At least rain will make corn, corn will make whiskey, and we all know what whiskey does to your ladies, don’t we gentlemen? Get yourself a little Luke Bryan “Rain Is a Good Thing” fix and look on the bright side.

5. With rain comes thunder. With thunder comes reminders of that oh-so-controversial song and music video that was banned from music television in the 1990′s. Do yourselves a favor and download the extended version of Garth Brooks‘ hit song “The Thunder Rolls”.

6. Keith Urban could not have predicted it better than he did. “Raining on Sunday” is exactly what will happen as Tropical Storm/Hurricane Isaac rolls in. Ten bucks his forecast is more accurate than the professionals’.

7. It is perfectly clear that Tim McGrawwould prefer a different kind of rain storm over the one that is about to make land fall in the United States. Tim’s kind of rain can only be best described in his hit song, “She’s My Kind of Rain.”

8. Like Jo Dee, David Nail understands the inevitable. It is going to rain. It is going to pour. Embrace it and let it come down on you…well, actually, stay inside the house, but figuratively let it come down. And while you are safe inside your house, download David’s “Let It Rain”.

9. With storms of this magnitude also comes a lot of wind. It would be remiss of me to not mention that Carrie Underwood‘s “Blown Away” would be perfect for this playlist. However, I do hope that you are securing all of your personal items, so as to not have anything blown away…

10. And to round out our list, we ask that you keep in mind that once the storm passes, the sun WILL rise. Wrap up your Tropical Storm/Hurricane Isaac playlist with Kelly Clarkson‘s “The Sun Will Rise” – because, as always, it most certainly will.

From all of us at Keepin’ It Country to all of you out there — enjoy your new and improved playlists, and, most importantly, stay safe out there!