Country Music History December 5

Today we focus on Gary Allan, born Gary Allan Herzberg December 5, 1967 in Montebello, California to parents Harley and Mary Herzberg.  Gary began playing guitar at a very young age.  He started playing honky tonks with his father at the age of 13.  A&M records offered him a contract when he was age 15, but the deal was turned down as his parents wanted him to continue his education.  Playing bars at night and attending school during the day, Gary remembers "I played the bars at night, I was half asleep when I got to school.  I thought sleep was what you did when you go to school".  In 1987, Gary married his first wife, Tracy Taylor.  Gary and Danette Day married in 1998 and later divorced in June 1999.  Angela became Gary's third wife June 5, 2001.  After a long struggle with depression and migraine headaches, Angela sadly committed suicide in 2004.  This event lead to Gary writing and co-writing for his album "Tough All Over" which contained several songs that dealt with his grief including "Puttin' Memories Away", "I Just Got Back From Hell" and "Life Ain't Always Beautiful".  Over the years, Gary has had a string of hits including "Man To Man", "Nothin' On But The Radio" and "Watching Airplanes".  Gary has been influenced by the old boys of country like Buck Owens and Merle Haggard.  Talking about his style of music, he states "the songs have got to have soul, have real meaning. Country music is what happens during the week.  Rock 'n roll is about what happens on the weekend".  Happy birthday, Gary Allan!