Born Gary Allan Herzberg, Allan grew up in what he calls a "perfect childhood." Though he was playing traditional country music alongside his father Harley at age 12, Allan recalls that "Dad said absolutely not" when his son was offered a major recording contract at age 15. After an early marriage, children, construction work, and an eventual divorce, Allan soon returned to music making. After signing to a major label, Allan enjoyed his first hit Country single with 1996's "Her Man." On the challenges of his early years in the music business, Allan says, “I’m used to playing packed clubs and the next thing you know, I’m in Reunion Arena... going, ‘How does this happen?’”
Gary Allan also discusses life with his blended family of children and step-children. He even talks about the darkest period of his life when his wife Angela committed suicide, and caring for their children in the wake of the tragic loss. “I just wanted to make sure that everybody got back on their feet,” he said. When he was finally able to step back into the studio, he recorded the critically acclaimed Gold-certified set Tough All Over, an album he calls “the most expensive therapy ever.”
Seventeen years after signing a record deal, Allan has enjoyed the biggest hit of his career with "Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)," his first number one hit as a songwriter. “We were very aware not to have any negative lines in it,” Allan says. On his recent career surge, he says, “I’ve always known I didn’t want to be the latest, greatest thing because that never lasts. I always wanted to be the George Strait or the Willie Nelson that’s just sort of chugging back here because you turn around one day and go, ‘He’s been here for 30 years’ and that’s how I want to do it.”
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