Nashville, TN --- Oct 16, 2012 --- With the help of his fans, MCA Nashville artist Gary Allan has sold out his Dec 14^th show at Joe’s in Chicago months in advance.  With the overwhelming response and rapid ticket sales, Allan has decided to add a second date for his Chicago fans on Dec 15^th.  Tickets go on sale this Friday, Oct 19^th at 10am central.

Proceeds from the Dec 15^th show in Chicago will benefit the Academy Of Country Music Lifting Lives.   “It important to me to give back when I can,” stated Allan. “For several summers I’ve spent time working with the kids at the ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp in Nashville.  The kids, the camp, it’s just magic.”

“Joe’s and US99 are proud to present a Gary Allan show that gives back to the community,” said Ed Warm of Joe’s. “Gary has been involved with Lifting Lives' Music Camp; and Joe's and US99 have seen the good Lifting Lives does, when Lifting Lives made Chicago their city of concentration in 2010. It's the perfect fit.” 

Allan shot the music video for his new hit single “Every Storm (Runs Out Of Rain)” last night with director Stephen Shepherd, who also directed the videos for “Watching Airplanes” and “Learning How to Bend.”  The video was shot on location in Nashville’s historic Germantown area.  The single has already broken into the Top 30 and is creating a stir at radio with fans calling into stations nationwide.  The song sold nearly 49,000 downloads the first week and is showing early signs of being a massive hit.

Tickets for Allan’s New Year’s Eve blow out at the House of Blues in Las Vegas are currently on sale.  For more information about the Dec 15^th date in Chicago, the NYE show or other events, log onto www.garyallan.com.

Left to Right:  John Lytle (Lytle Mgt Group), Stephen Shepherd (Director), Gary Allan, Retta Harvey (UMG), Rhet Bear (Director of Photography)

» www.garyallan.com

» www.theboot.com

The raspy-voiced Allen and his band then jumped right into “Right Where I Need to Be” and the show was under way. Nearly two hours and over 20 songs later, the night would end with a standing ovation. Allan and crew played several hits throughout the night, reminding fans that he has built an impressive catalog throughout his career. It took him a little while to get warmed up, but once he did, Allan was on fire. Constantly working the stage, he rarely took any time off as he powered on through song after song.

“A Feelin’ Like That” kept things moving along as the crowd heavily populated by females danced and sang along. He continued on without breaking between songs, following up with the romantic “Nothing on but the Radio,” and the just as popular “Man to Man.” He quickly took enough time to greet the crowd, simply saying “Hello Tulsa!” then he was off again.

Although some of the songs seemed to be moving along at a pace just a bit quicker than the recorded versions, it made up for it in the long run with him slashing through 23 songs total. The honky-tonky “She’s So California” paid homage to the Bakersfield sound that Allan has often been connected to. Showing his flexibility, Allan continued with the bluesy “Smoke Rings in the Dark,” the heart-ache ridden tale “It Would Be You,” and the redeeming “Learning How to Bend.”

Allan hit his peak on “Life Ain’t Always Beautiful,” simply nailing one of his most touching songs. There surely wasn’t a misty eye in the building as he sat at the corner of the stage and let the audience sing the lines “life ain’t always beautiful, but it’s a beautiful ride.” He continued with “Tough All Over,” “No Regrets,” “It’s Been a Long Year,” and “Bourbon Borderline,” before the set really amped up a notch.

“Songs About Rain,” “Get Off On The Pain,” “Her Man,” “Kiss Me When I’m Down,” and “Best I Ever Had,” got the crowd singing along with every word. One of the most interesting and exciting moments of the night came next when Allan dove into “Man of Me.” The song is positively up beat, and easily considered a very lively tune for country music. Allan and crew took it up a few steps when mid-song they went from boot-stomping rhythm to full-fledged, hardcore metal and the crowd ate it up.

It appeared that the night had come to an end after “Watching Airplanes,” but the crowd made it clear that they weren’t ready to leave. Chants of “Gary, Gary, Gary!” soon started and after a few minutes the band returned to the stage for a special encore.

Standing at center stage and flanked by a guitar player on each side, Allen then tore off into a great cover of Tom Petty’s “Breakdown.” “I love Tom Petty,” Allan said as the audience cheered. With the steel guitar moved to the front of the stage, and a mysterious clear bottle with a black label began to be passed around from band member to band member, Allan finished with “Drinkin’ Dark Whiskey.” The song featured an entertaining steel guitar part played with the bottle of Jack Daniels before Gary’s pet dog Lucy came running out onto the stage to join the band.

Then, just as soon as it seemed it had started, the show was over. “Thank you Tulsa,” said Allan. “I hope to come back here again soon,” he added. The standing ovation that followed made it clear to Allan that he will be welcomed any time he decides to return.

Gary Allan, in my mind, is one of the most under-rated country singers of our time. If you have not heard his stuff, you really should check it out. And if you have a chance to see him live, you owe it to yourself to see him. Props to The Joint for bringing yet another great musical talent to Tulsa!

Obviously, it’s not all jeans and T-shirts. Allan’s store, called The Label, opens today at 2222 12th Ave. S., and everything in the store is for sale. That means the guitars on the wall, the art, the light fixtures and the tables and chairs all have a price tag. But the clothes — from Tony Sartino custom-tailored suits starting at $3,200 to Logan Riese custom leather jackets — are the real stars.

Sartino, a stylist known for dressing the likes of Jon Bon Jovi and Prince, plans to make monthly visits to The Label to not only help run the store but also to tailor items for customers.

There are 12 designers featured at The Label.

“We’ve talked about doing this for 10 years,” Allan says. “We always said we should start a store. It came together way better than I thought it would.”