Review: Gary Allan at the Ryman
Gary Allan, Jack Ingram and the Eli Young Band Ryman Auditorium Nashville, Nov. 12
published November 16, 2009 by Bob Paxman
Three hours and change went by in a flash in a seamless concert package that expertly featured three complementary acts. If you’re looking for bang for the buck, you can’t do much better.
Headliner Gary gets the benefit of two opening acts that can certainly raise the roof as well as the testerone level, which seems to be the fundamental idea. But the three acts managed to enhance rather than conflict with each other.
Texas-based EYB, best known for “Always the Love Songs,” kicked things off with a 25-minute set that included their big hit and “Guinevere.” The guys play it loud, hard and good, with a confident attitude and, best of all, don’t make the annoying opening act mistake of trying too hard to “whip you into a frenzy.” The music speaks well enough, thanks. The set seemed to lean too heavily toward mid-tempo tunes, but was otherwise solid.
Jack Ingram is the true revelation of the evening. He commands the stage the minute he walks out, looking dapper and cool in a black jacket and pressed pants (you wish more stars would dress, you know, like a “star” instead of looking like they woke up an hour before show time). Jack’s set was extremely well-paced, mixing some easygoing, humorous banter with hits like “That’s a Man,“ “Love You” and “Barefoot and Crazy,” which he actually performed sans shoes. For his current single, “Seeing Stars,” Jack brought out his duet partner, the incomparable Patty Griffin (probably shouldn’t expect that at every tour stop, though). Jack’s band, featuring ace guitarist Jedd Hughes and a drummer who resembles something out of That Thing You Do, can definitely kick it as well.
Gary Allan drew screams and standing applause as soon as his name was announced. His set kicked off with “Get off on the Pain,” the title track to his upcoming new album. He then launched into a sea of hits that included “Best I Ever Had,” “Life Ain’t Always Beautiful,” his debut single “Her Man” and more, all punctuated by the trademark raspy voice. You’re reminded of just how many hits he’s accumulated over the years while remaining vastly under appreciated by the industry.
Fans got a couple of bonus treats when Gary brought out his daughter Dallas to play keyboards on “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” and welcomed Jack Ingram for “Alright Guy.” The perfectly executed guitar intros helped fans identify the songs immediately, even before Gary sang the first note, and the crowd proved more than eager to sing along. Gary brought it all home with an electrifying stage presence and a don’t-stop-till-you-get-enough energy level. And for an artist who’s often identified more with emotional angst and personal pain, he’s surprisingly warm onstage.
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37 Comments show all
Rebecca says:
Gary's first hit single was "Her Man", not "Your Man".
Nov 16, 2009 at 6:10 pm ESTKim says:
Yea! It's about time people started taking notice of just how AWESOME Gary Allan is! He puts on a heck of a show. I've seen him 3 times just this year, and you NEVER walk away disappointed. The man is AMAZING and deserves alot more recognition that he gets!!
Nov 17, 2009 at 5:04 pm ESTI'm proud to say I'm a junkie!!!!
Rebecca says:
Thanks so much for the correction!!! :-)
Nov 17, 2009 at 6:12 pm ESTAnonymous says:
They didn't put "Your Man"
Nov 18, 2009 at 1:52 am ESTThey put "Life aint always beautiful," his debut single "Her Man" and more
Becca says:
I get very upset that Gary doesn't get the credit he deserves as an artist. However, he has stated that he is not into all of the "politics" that go along with the industry. He is very much The California Cowboy, and I think Nashville may not embrace him at times. I love him. He is my favorite singer, and I don't care to listen to anyone else. I am sick of the same people winning the same awards year after year. Gary deserves to be nominated for an award and he deserves to win! I have seen him in concert and he is totally awesome.
Nov 18, 2009 at 11:30 pm ESTHe puts on a great show, he appears to be honest, he wants to give his fans a good show, and I can't get enough of the guy. He is a better singer and performer than those same old singers that keep getting nominated and winning all of the awards. Gary, keep doing what you are doing. You do it well, you do it your way, and your fans love it.
heather says:
yah! i completely agree with Becca for all that i can remember Gary has only been nominated for one award and he didn't even win. i think that even with all of the really good music out there he should still be nominated for some thing at the CMAs. so i think that all he does is gets ripped off. also i totally agree, he does put on an awsome show. When ever he is in centeral wisconsin again i will do what ever i can to see him live even if he is performing with someone that isn't good.
Nov 20, 2009 at 4:14 pm ESTTrini says:
You said it Becca. Gary is so under rated. He puts on such an awesome show and I LOVE his voice. He doesnt play into all the politics and I love that he does things his way. YOU ARE THE GREATEST, GARY AND STAY THE WAY YOU ARE!!!!!
Nov 24, 2009 at 11:15 am ESTAnonymous says:
سكس اميزشي
Nov 30, 2009 at 2:15 pm ESTshirley says:
i agree with what everyone has said. gary has been overlooked for so long. he sings from his heart and soul. every song he has sung you see yourself in them. i am so tired of seeing the same people in country weekly. i still buy it hoping gary will be featured. keep going gary your fans think you are the greatest and that is what counts the most.
Dec 01, 2009 at 8:15 am ESTKimberly Reed says:
Gary Allan is a Huge talant. I have been a fan for many years.... Love seeing him in concert. He his the real deal.
Dec 01, 2009 at 5:22 pm ESTChris says:
Gary Allan is extremely taented and wish him the best with his success. He is overlooked by his talent and should win some sticking awards for crying out loud. Saw him last year open for Kenny Chesney and he Rocked. GARY FAN all THE WAY.......
Dec 06, 2009 at 2:25 am ESTLorie Harrison says:
Saw Gary in Dallas In Oct. It was an AWESOME show!!!!! Is the Ryman show going to be on T.V.?
Dec 06, 2009 at 12:58 pm ESTWendy Anne says:
Keep doing what you are doing Gary cause you are the greatest in this whole wide world as far as the country music industry goes !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dec 06, 2009 at 9:19 pm ESTLinda Wheelan says:
I have seen Gary many times now and as much as I can in the future and I agree that he doesn't get the radio time he deserves or any of the CM awards! He is a great guy and entertainer and yes his pain comes through with his music. He is very talented and warm with his audiences. Nashville should be ashamed not to recognize him at lest for something.
Dec 07, 2009 at 9:06 pm ESTMurder Inc says:
am glad to see his fans have forgotten about the mysterious death of wife, glad to see they could care less about the truth
Dec 09, 2009 at ESTCheryl says:
I am so impressed with Gary Allan, as a long time George Strait fan, I have to say that being out of the norm is great. I love his concerts and kind of like George, he does what is comfortable to him. I really wish he would be acknowlegded as a singer and a songwriter. It is all the stuff that REGULAR people live and feel!
Dec 09, 2009 at 9:34 pm ESTmirriah anauo says:
I love gary allan. He is huge talented and I love his songs and he is so hottest bachelor for me.
Dec 15, 2009 at 4:19 pm ESTstacy anderson says:
i missed the show I'm sure he was good as always. I love you Gart Alan and look forward to seeing you again
Dec 16, 2009 at 8:36 pm ESTmaxine says:
I agree with Becca, I couldn't have said it better. Now it's his time to shine, finally. Couldn't have happened to a better person.
Dec 22, 2009 at 3:26 pm ESTHiggy says:
What you all are missing is the fact that Nashville couldn't find there tail with both hands, they are a corporate joke as all corporates are. They wouldn't know real if it hit them between the legs and they have proved it for decades. Fools in corporate suits pretending to have a soul collecting the money as if it was there's
Dec 28, 2009 at 8:19 pm ESTLeave a Comment