The Show Me Center

Gary Allan Ruthless Tour

April 27, 2024

gary allan ruthless tour set list

Gary Allan: Ruthless Tour

Saturday, april 27th, doors: 6:30pm | event: 8:00pm.

With the allure of a modern-day outlaw, Gary Allan has won over fans, peers, and critics with his signature blend of smoldering vocals, rebellious lyrics, and raucous live performances. While becoming a force on the country music scene, Allan has remained true to his artistic voice each step of the way.

Allan’s most recent album, RUTHLESS , was released in June 2021. The 13-song album features songs produced by Mark Wright, Tony Brown, Greg Droman, Jay Joyce, and Allan himself.  His previous album, SET YOU FREE , topped the Billboard 200 (Pop Chart), a career first for Allan.  The album also made its debut at the top of the Billboard Country Album chart (for the fourth time in a row) and produced his fifth #1 country radio chart topper with “Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain).” 

The California native has released eight additional studio albums selling over 8 million albums, been certified platinum on three back-to-back albums, and been certified gold five times.  Allan has five #1 hits at country radio, fourteen Top 10 hits to his credit and amassed over 2.8 billion total streams.

Ticket Prices

Reserved Seats – $125 / $69 / $59 / $39 / $29

  • $10/CAR IN REGULAR LOTS
  • $20/CAR IN PREMIUM LOT

Less then 2 Weeks to Cedric The Entertainer brings a Night of Comedy to Benefit SEMO Foundation Scholarships!  Saturday, March 23rd at 7:30pm!  Get your tickets at www.ShowMeCenter.BIZ now!

BroadwayWorld

Gary Allan Brings RUTHLESS Tour To The Theater At Virgin Hotels, December 2 - 3

Gary Allan has won over fans, peers and critics with his signature blend of smoldering vocals, rebellious lyrics and raucous live performances.

pixeltracker

This National Finals Rodeo (NFR) season, multi-platinum country artist Gary Allan is set to bring his RUTHLESS Tour to The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, part of Curio Collection by Hilton, for back-to-back performances Friday, December 2, 2022 and Saturday, December 3, 2022. Tickets go on sale this Friday, August 5, 2022 at 10 a.m. PDT on AXS.com .

With the allure of a modern day outlaw, Gary Allan has won over fans, peers and critics with his signature blend of smoldering vocals, rebellious lyrics and raucous live performances. While becoming a force on the country music scene, Allan has remained true to his artistic voice each step of the way. RUTHLESS, Allan's first new album in eight years was released in June 2021. The 13-song album features songs produced by Mark Wright , Tony Brown, Greg Droman, Jay Joyce, and Allan himself. Allan re-signed with Universal Music Group Nashville in 2016, the label home for the entirety of his 20-plus year career. His last album, SET YOU FREE, topped the Billboard 200 (Pop Chart), a career first for Allan. The album also made its debut at the top of the Billboard Country Album chart (for the fourth time in a row), and produced his fifth #1 country radio chart topper with "Every Storm (Runs Out Of Rain)."

Allan released his first album, USED HEART FOR SALE, in 1996 and has since released eight additional studio albums selling over eight million albums, 10 million tracks, been certified platinum on three back-to-back albums and been certified gold five times. Allan has five #1 hits at country radio, fourteen Top 10 hits to his credit and has amassed over 2.8 billion total streams.

For more information on these performances or for news from The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, visit VirginHotelsLV.com . Virgin Hotels Las Vegas proudly offers complimentary self-parking.

Combining the power of the live event with a focus on true artist development, AEG Presents is a world leader in the music and entertainment industries. Operating across four continents, the company has an unparalleled commitment to artistry, creativity, and community. Its tentpole festivals and multi-day music events - which include the iconic Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival and the legendary New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival alongside British Summer Time at Hyde Park, Stagecoach, Hangout Festival, Electric Forest, and Firefly - continue to set the bar for the live music experience. AEG Presents promotes global tours for artists such as The Rolling Stones, Ed SHeeran , Elton John , Taylor Swift , Celine Dion , Justin Bieber , Kenny Chesney , Paul McCartney , and Katy Perry, in addition to - through its network of clubs, theatres, arenas, stadiums and renowned partner brands such as Goldenvoice, Messina Touring Group, Concerts West, The Bowery Presents, PromoWest Productions, Marshall Arts, Madison House Presents, and Zero Mile Presents - creating and developing an unmatched infrastructure for artist development and audience reach. More information can be found at www.aegpresents.com .

Virgin Hotels Las Vegas is a reimagined and re-conceptualized casino resort. The property is part of Curio Collection by Hilton and has been awarded the AAA Four Diamond Award in its first year of operation. The integrated resort intermixes a passion for food and beverage with music and culture and features three hotel towers totaling over 1,500 Chambers and suites; the 60,000 sq. ft. Mohegan Sun Casino, operated by Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment; a five-acre desert pool oasis including Elia Beach Club and a multi-functional event lawn; live music and entertainment theater with 4,500 capacity operated by AEG Presents; 24 Oxford showroom accommodating 650 guests; an exclusive portfolio of twelve food and beverage venues including Todd English's Olives, Kris Yenbamroong's Night + Market, the legendary Nobu, Michael Morton and David Morton 's ONE Steakhouse, Kassi Beach House from restauranteur Nick Mathers, Casa Calavera by global hospitality company TAO Group, famous Afters Ice Cream, Pizza Forte by the Ferraro Family and signature Virgin Hotels restaurants and bars including The Kitchen at Commons Club, The Bar at Commons Club, The Shag Room and Funny Library Coffee Shop. The property is owned by JC Hospitality, LLC, in partnership with Juniper Capital Partners, Virgin Group, LiUNA, Fengate Asset Management, Dream and Orlando Development. The off-Strip playground is located at 4455 Paradise Road. For more information, visit www.virginhotelslv.com .

Virgin Hotels is a luxury lifestyle hospitality brand that combines heartfelt service and a personalized hotel experience inspired by the innovation and smart disruption that Sir Richard Branson 's global Virgin Group has pioneered for over 50 years. Each property intermixes a passion for food and beverage with music, design, and culture, fusing with the local landscape and providing a vibrant and inclusive environment for travelers and locals alike. The current portfolio includes five hotels-Virgin Hotels Chicago, Virgin Hotels Dallas, and Virgin Hotels Nashville, all voted in the top ten Condé Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards in 2021, and newly opened Virgin Hotels New Orleans and Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. Locations in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and New York City are scheduled to debut in 2022, followed by Miami in 2025. In addition, Virgin Hotels continues to explore hotel, conversions, and ground-up development in Boston, Los Angeles, Austin, Philadelphia, Seattle, London, and more.

Curio Collection by Hilton is a global portfolio of more than 115 one-of-a-kind hotels and resorts in nearly 30 countries and territories. Curio Collection properties offer guests authentic, curated experiences through distinctly local offerings and elevated amenities, while providing the benefits of Hilton and its award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors. Experience a positive stay at Curio Collection by Hilton by booking at curiocollection.com or through the industry-leading Hilton Honors app. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits. Learn more about Curio Collection by Hilton at newsroom.hilton.com/curio , and follow the brand on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Watch Highlights from HADESTOWN in the West End Video

Las Vegas SHOWS

Recommended For You

broadway world

Gary Allan

Latest News

Country Singer Gary Allan Marries Longtime Love Molly Martin in ‘Low-Key’ Tennessee Ceremony | People

Country Singer Gary Allan Marries Longtime Love Molly Martin in ‘Low-Key’ Tennessee Ceremony | People

People announce the low-key ceremony in an exclusive with photos from the wedding day. Check it out at https://people.com/country-singer-gary-allan-marries-molly-martin-tennessee-wedding-exclusive-8603906  

Gary Allan Noted as one of the 20 Country Songs Bound to Make You Ugly Cry

Gary Allan Noted as one of the 20 Country Songs Bound to Make You Ugly Cry

There’s truly nothing like a well-written, heartfelt country song. We’ve collected the best of the best in the genre, and further more, these are songs that hit us with an absolute gut-punch. Did you guess the Gary Allan Song that was listed as one of the all-time...

5 Songs You Didn’t Know Trick Pony’s Ira Dean Wrote for Other Artists | American Songwriter

5 Songs You Didn’t Know Trick Pony’s Ira Dean Wrote for Other Artists | American Songwriter

One of Ira Dean’s biggest successes as a writer came when he hooked up with David Lee Murphy and Kim Tribble for “A Feelin’ Like That,” a song recorded by Allan in 2006 for a greatest hits package. The song made it to No. 12 on the country chart. “A Feelin’ Like That”...

see more news.

Upcoming Shows

see more tour dates.

gary allan ruthless tour set list

Terms & Conditions

Owensboro Sportscenter

1215 Hickman Ave Owensboro, KY 42301 (270) 687-8330

Privacy Policy

Saving Country Music

Album Review – Gary Allan’s “Ruthless”

Trigger Reviews Gary Allan , Jay Joyce , Mark Wright , Review , Ruthless , Taylor Swift , Tony Brown --> 39 Comments

gary allan ruthless tour set list

The last eight years of Gary Allan’s career have unfolded like a cautionary tale of the pitfalls and trappings of making music in the mainstream of country. It all started when Gary Allan had the audacity to tell the truth—something that generally speaking, is strictly frowned upon in the top echelons of country music. When put on the spot by Larry King on if he considered Taylor Swift and other pop artists of the time in country music as country, Gary answered, “You know, I would say no. I would say they’re pop artists making a living in the country genre. I also feel like we lost our genre. I don’t feel like I make music for a genre anymore, and I did, you know, 15 years ago. But I think since … the big [radio] companies bought up all the chains, now it’s about a demographic.” Of course, Gary Allan was completely right. In fact now it’s fully accepted Taylor Swift is pop, including by Taylor Swift. But at the time, such pronouncements made in public were scandalous. And chased with an indictment of radio, Gary Allan quickly fell out of favor with the format, despite apologies and backtracks by Gary that everyone knew were just efforts to save face. After all, all he did was tell the truth. In reality, Gary Allan had never really been a big radio country artist. That’s what was cool about him. Sure he’d landed a couple of hits: “Smoke Rings in the Dark,” “Nothing On But the Radio,” and “Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)” in 2012 right before everything went to hell. But he did things his own way. He was a maverick in the mainstream. That kept him solidly in the 2nd tier, and out of awards show contention and arena headlining gigs. But he also wasn’t a tool like so many of his contemporaries. That all began to change when Gary Allan was faced with staring into an abyss of not having radio behind him at all, and trying to hold onto a major label deal, which is all he’d ever known since the mid 90’s. So Gary Allan swallowed his pride, and started throwing whatever he could up against the wall to see if it would stick. Next thing you knew, the singles he released probing for some renewed acceptance in the mainstream were more indicative of what Thomas Rhett was doing as opposed to what Gary Allan was famous for. Even worse for Gary, it wasn’t working. At least if you sell out, you get to reap the spoils. Gary Allan was cashing in his scruples and still failing to garner traction, with four straight singles stalling outside of the Top 40, which put any prospects for an album release in peril. Over this time, Gary Allan made no less than three complete albums, and utilized five different producers, including himself. He recorded an album with his road band. It was mostly scrapped aside from two songs. He recorded an album with the infamous Jay Joyce, known mostly for working with Eric Church. According to Gary, “…the label didn’t really hear it,” meaning it was vetoed by the suits, apparently because this was during the Bro-Country craze, and it didn’t fit the bill. Only one track survived from those sessions. And then Gary finally started working with Tony Brown who’s best known for producing George Strait, and Mark Wright who’s known for working with Clint Black. The sense at that point was Bro-Country had passed, and the 90’s sound was hot again, so they would try to work in that direction. So what you finally get with Ruthless eight years later requires color coding to navigate the respective producers and tracks, and frankly, it feels like that, with noticeable differences even in the timbre of Gary’s voice, and the mixing and mastering approach on certain songs. It feels like a patchwork album because it is one. And if there is a 90’s country influence, it gets a bit lost in the weeds.

gary allan ruthless tour set list

There are some cohesive themes to pull away from the record, though. They’re just not particularly favorable. The first few songs feel like the 53-year-old Gary Allan trying to get into the whole young adult club dating scene similar to Keith Urban and others in mainstream country who struggle to act their age. Some of the songwriting is actually decent, but the themes don’t fit the rugged Gary Allan persona of the past, and the production is too contemporary for his signature style. There’s an effort to be sexy on this album that just feels a little … well, slimy in places. “Slide” is a song that basically asks for permission to cheat premeditatively. Who does that? The song “SEX” (yes, that’s the title) is about as bad as you worried it would be when you fist saw it in the track list. There’s also a couple of these “I’m a little ‘this’ and I’m a little ‘that'” songs like the track “Unfiltered” that are all the rage in the mainstream right now—sort of a soft-peddled version of Bro-Country. But again, Gary Allan can record this stuff all he wants. Radio’s not going to play it, so who exactly is he serving? With all the messiness behind how this album came about, you can’t regard this as the album Gary Allan wanted to release, if Gary Allan even knows who he is anymore. Eight years of in and out of the studio, working with a revolving door of producers and songwriters—some decent like Josh Kear and Kyle Jacobs, and others like Shane McAnally and busbee—and all while trying to keep a label happy. Where was the direction, or compass? There are some decent tracks that made the final cut, whether by design or accident. “High As I’ve Ever Been” and “The Hard Way” give us glimmers of the Gary Allan we know, which is a guy that puts a little grit in his country. We should also be glad they kept Gary’s cover of Jesse Winchester’s “Little Glass of Wine” on the record. It’s not that Ruthless is terrible or anything. And if you’re a hardcore Gary Allan fan—of which there are a few—you will probably find enough to enjoy to think of the effort as satisfactory. Compared to everything else we’re hearing come out of the mainstream at the moment, it’s probably pretty decent. Still, Ruthless is full of compromises and half measures, and it’s only country in spurts. Even Luke Combs is more country at this turn, and probably has some better songs. You don’t want to hate on Gary Allan. He’s a guy you root for in the mainstream. But ultimately this album just doesn’t muster up much of a defense for itself. It’s like in football: if you have three quarterbacks legitimately competing for the starting job, ultimately you don’t have any. In this case, three albums with three philosophies compacted into one just leaves you with a collection of songs that even though none are godawful, a couple more are salvageable, and a few are pretty decent, you just wish Gary Allan would have told radio and his label to shove it, and he’d recorded whatever the hell he wanted to. It would have been a lot better than this no matter what it was. What you have here is an album tooled for radio that radio won’t play, for all the reasons Gary Allan laid out so honestly eight years ago. After eight years, you don’t feel any relief or satisfaction at the delivery of this record. You have more questions that answers about where Gary Allan goes from here. Hopefully where he goes is away from worrying or laboring to keep Music Row happy, and towards what has earned Gary Allan a strong fan base, and a reputation for being one of the few in the mainstream to stay true to themselves, and tell it like it is. 1 1/4 Guns Down (4.5/10) – – – – – – – – – – – –

Gary Allan , Jay Joyce , Mark Wright , Review , Ruthless , Taylor Swift , Tony Brown

39 Comments

' src=

‘SEX’ came on my Release Radar playlist on Spotify over the weekend and I threw up in my mouth a little. Just horrible.

' src=

It’s not great but i was expecting much worse when 1st hearing about the song.

' src=

Gary went from arguably his best album, Set You Free, to his worst album. I’m a huge Gary Allan fan, and this album is terrible.

' src=

I gave this a listen Friday. It’s not horrible, but is not great either. Pretty much forgettable. It would be nice to see more of these aging country stars to go the route of Alan Jackson. Realize they are no longer radio favorites and put out classic country albums that solidly their status as legends instead of chasing past glory. Thanks for the review.

' data-tf-not-load src=

I’m one of those hardcore Gary Allan fans and… it’s fine. Unfortunately no great songs, but also nothing I’m going to hit skip on when it comes up in a shuffle. Mostly I’m just glad to finally have a new album from him and I hope it doesn’t take eight years and half a dozen producers to get the next one.

' data-tf-not-load src=

I agree although I would bump it up to 5. After all these years it wasn’t worth the wait even though it’s not entirely Gary’s fault. BUT I will say because I love Gary’s music I started enjoying it the more I listened to it. It was a lot better than I thought it would be after looking at the songwriters but I will say “Little Glass of Wine” and “Trouble Knows Trouble” are great songs.

My other issue. Was the lack of variety with the themes of the songs like you pointed out it was kind of the same thing of hitting on girls at the bar, trying to forget girls at the bar by drinking or trying to resist women’s advances.

' data-tf-not-load src=

How many songs are there called “The Hard Way?” Seems like a common title.

Eric Church and the Turnpike Troubadours both have ones but their versions are great.

' data-tf-not-load src=

Moonpies got a great one as well.

' data-tf-not-load src=

Mary Chapin Carpenter. Also, the name of a Clint Black album.

' data-tf-not-load src=

Steve Earle & the Dukes

' data-tf-not-load src=

I just read a couple movie reviews – one said best Marvel movie ever and another said “too little too late”. It would seem those with opinions on music are just as diverse. I thought it was a great album – but too many critics out their citing the own opinions on the current state of country music or this one somehow thinking Gary must only sing songs that are autobiographical. In country music one can write about events in our youth …. but I guess Gary is supposed to only write about things at his age—- I’m in my 50s and I don’t care to hear songs about AARP. A great album – more catchy songs than on any previous effort. He certainly could go the way of Alan Jackson but that would result in what many folks say about Alan nowadays – no disrespect but they are like Alan who? A 10.

' data-tf-not-load src=

Reviews are simply one persons (hopefully) informed opinion. None of them are right or wrong. When listening to this album I got the sense many established and serious Gary Allan fans would like the album regardless of the concerns raised. If you like it, that’s all that matters.

' data-tf-not-load src=

Which songs did Gary write for the album?

He only co-wrote one song on the album, “Pretty Damn Close.”

' data-tf-not-load src=

i’m liking the allen energy in these tracks ….a bit of a Springsteen vibe with the bigger productions and rock approach musically . its sounds honest ….its sounds gary allan . it doesn’t sound trendy at all …no wall-to wall lyric smorgasbords …no machines . is it COUNTRY ? not to my ear . does it help the ’cause’ ?…..only in terms of its integrity , IMO.

' data-tf-not-load src=

I am/was a huge Gary Allan fan. I didn’t expect much from this album, so I wasn’t disappointed. I know I’m beating a dead horse, but why in the hell do these artists like Gary Allan, Joe Nichols, and Pat Green come out with this type of material. Radio has no interest in it and your fan base is alienated. You’re stuck in the middle with very little support. Gary Allan, Joe Nichols, and Scotty McCreery all have the ability to make some awesome traditional country albums. They could all really find a niche and make more money then what they are making off this crap.

' data-tf-not-load src=

But Scotty McCreery is the exception. After being dropped from his label, he came back with an album that gave him some big radio singles while respecting his fan base. “Five More Minutes,” “This is It,” and “In Between” all went #1, and all are great country songs, although obviously with modern production aspects.

As for this Gary Allan release, I googled the lyrics to “Slide” and couldn’t be more angry at this utterly lazy adaptation of the angel/devil trope. It’s basically, “oh, I’m just human, so baby I’m just going to cheat.” Pathetic.

' data-tf-not-load src=

If released on the heels of “Every Storm Runs Out of Rain” … one could argue that “What I Can’t Talk About” could’ve been a radio hit for Gary.

' data-tf-not-load src=

Huge Gary Allan fan…but…the album is only half-baked. One of the best voices of country music singing c-list songs to give Nashville what Nashville wants…is…so to say a “Waste Of A Whiskey Drink”. Confession: i love (love!) “Waste of…”. When a Hardy co-written track is not helping to get Gary Allans radio career back on track…it’s time for a change. Ruthless is more of the same.

Much Better Music: Andrew Swift – The Art Of Letting Go – Album – Released Australian Singer/Songwriter with his most mainstream…well…let’s call it polished album so far. Polished can sound good…very good (current single “Say The Word” feat. Cass Hopetoun). Produced by Matt Fell the album should establish Andrew Swift as an a-list country artist.

' data-tf-not-load src=

Huge Gary Allan fan. I think he is one of the best and most underrated artists of the 2000s. Frankly, this story makes me sad. I haven’t listened to the album yet and I have to say I am not excited about it. But hopefully I’ll find some favor in it.

' data-tf-not-load src=

I am a fan. I bought it. That said, doubting it will tickle my pickle ( trigger knows what I like and he has already spoken so my hopes are dim). Gary, I’ll buy probably keep buying your stuff but please, don’t chase trends, be yourself. Like Trig said, it was your maverickness (is that even a word?) that lead me to you. I liked early Keith urban but once he started pandering I went elsewhere. Keep it up and I’ll do the same to you.

' data-tf-not-load src=

This doesn’t even sound like Gary Allan. Like literally. Either he’s intentionally trying to sing a different way, or it got lost in the vocal processing in the studio, or maybe it’s just age. Either way I’m disappointed. This is bad. Really bad. I mean who does this even appeal to?! I had higher hopes but here we are I guess. Also, “comes off kinda flirty in a text” should not be a lyric in a country song

' data-tf-not-load src=

Yeah, I’ve noticed the change in his voice from the last few albums. I miss the extra twang and grit in his vocals that he had in his earlier music. Now it sounds like he’s been trying to tone it down to try to appeal to listeners of other genres (pop/rock/AC).

' data-tf-not-load src=

Kenny Chesney’s voice sounded different after his first few albums. He unfortunately lost the twang.

Yeah, Kenny Chesney was almost like another Aaron Tippin on his first three albums. Loved his much twangier voice, too! That said, I also like the smooth style he developed on the I Will Stand album. What turned me off was when he became a Jimmy Buffet clone starting in 2002. I do like his latest single, though.

' data-tf-not-load src=

Chris Owen of twitter & radio fame appears to be praising it religiously all week.

I still consider myself a Gary Allan fan, even if I haven’t truly enjoyed an album of his from front to back since Tough All Over. Even most of his lower quality stuff is better than the majority of what’s on the radio (Well, except for “Hangover Tonight.”).

Since the Living Hard album, he’s become sort of an edgier version of Keith Urban, with a more bland pop/rock style instead of his previous honky tonk style that I loved, and unfortunately, this album is pretty much more of the same, with a few exceptions. That said, quite a few of these tracks are pretty good as pop/rock songs. It’s just not the kind of music I prefer to hear from Gary. I did really like “Trouble Knows Trouble” which reminded me more of the old Gary. And also the last two tracks, “Little Glass Of Wine” and “The Hard Way” were much more to my liking.

I just really miss Gary Allan the honky tonker with a rock edge, which was the Gary I fell in love with when I first heard “Smoke Rings In The Dark” in the Fall of 1999 and the artist I became a huge fan of when I bought his first five albums. Guess I’ll have to keep waiting for him to finally get back to that sound, if he ever does. BTW, I do like that he’s still using that pretty cool rodeo cowboy skeleton image for his albums.

' data-tf-not-load src=

Jamie I agree with everything you said! I’m a Gary Allan fan and Tough All Over was awesome. Definitely has taken the more rockish trajectory since, but I did like Livin Hard a lot. Anyways hope he gets back to the sound that we both like.

Ps Greenfields is a sweet song.

' data-tf-not-load src=

I am a longtime fan of gary allan and this album is a mixed bag. Its good to have new music from him but only about half the album appeals to me. Still its a whole lot better than the trash keith urban releases

' data-tf-not-load src=

That review just blew my mind. As a long time Gary Allan fan, I wholeheartedly disagree with most of your assessment other than the glimmers of hope that you mention which are two of my favorite songs from his album. It’s totally Gary Allan through and through, just like the 90’s Country vibe…he’s just a different person in the sense of his life. I believe he is still writing to tell the truth, because frankly I’ve been in some pretty tough places relationships wise in my mind and out in the open. That is what country music is to me…talking about situations through a song that are tough to talk about outside of a song, so people can tie a song to a memory (good or bad) or bring healing. You never seem to get Luke Combs full scope from your past album reviews of him either, so I guess you don’t appreciate “clever” or “hooks” in a song that still applies to life and truth, that it somehow taints the song? I’m still trying to figure out where you are coming from when it comes to your reviews. I’ll keep trying because even though I hardly agree with your reviews of “country” (other than Alan Jackson & Stapleton), and I’m as country as there is, I really appreciate the way you write reviews. Maybe you just choose to apply a heavy balance to critiquing production (country or not) within an album as part of the review score compared to the other album ingredients?

To each their own on taste of music and what is country music, I guess, even with most of these comments from other Gary Allan fans who don’t get it. It’s worth noting that the songs that seemed to be tagged for singles in Apple Music (“Temptation”, “Slide”, “Trouble Knows Trouble”, “Ruthless”) are not ones I’d choose to release as singles, and those seem to be the more over-produced ones in my eyes..which is maybe what Nashville is looking for from him? This album could be one of those that resemble Eric Church in the sense of delivery in the more someone listens to the album, the more they “get it” and appreciate it. All in all, thank you for your sharing your thoughts, it always makes me ponder things a little more when I read a review that are ying vs yang of my thoughts. My song Faves from this album for you Gary Allan Fans: “High as I’ve Ever Been”, “What I Can’t Talk About”, “The Hard Way”, “Pretty Damn Close”, “Til it Felt Like You”.

I appreciate your opinion and sharing your thoughts.

One thing I would point out though is, “I believe he is still writing to tell the truth…”

The problem is, Gary Allan’s really not writing anything. He only co-wrote one song on this album. Traditionally, Gary has written probably half or more of his own material, and also worked with guys like Odie Blackmon, Josh Thompson, and Kendell Marvel. Here he’s working with busbee and Shane McAnally. As I said in the review, it’s not that all the writing is bad. But it doesn’t really feel like Gary to me. I think that’s where some of the disconnect myself and others are feeling with this album.

As I always say, if you like it, that’s all that matters. I’m not here to convince someone out of loving music they love. But as a critic, it is my job to be critical.

' data-tf-not-load src=

I appreciate you taking the time to reply, Trigger. I didn’t see that he wrote only one song until after I submitted this. So I can see where you are coming from with this more now, where I assumed he wrote these and I listened to them in that way. The tell tale sign to me will be when I see him perform them in concert, since I’ve seen him about 10 times in my life. In a post I saw he said he wrote over 30 songs through this covid pandemic, so I don’t understand why they didn’t make the cut unless he just had this album sitting there ready to go. To me it seemed like his normal vibe, but to know he didn’t take part in writing these changes my tune a bit.

I’m glad one of the songs I picked and really liked from his album was the one he wrote. 🙂

' data-tf-not-load src=

I was not a fan of the few songs I have heard. However, that album art is kickass!!!!

' data-tf-not-load src=

Wow…who reviewed this? Lose the freaking snark!

“And if you’re a hardcore Gary Allan fan—of which there are a few”

Show some respect, he has had 3 albums that went GOLD…So that’s some 500,000 plus fans that bought his music.

I am enjoying the album, Unfiltered, The Hard Way, Temptations, Waste Of A Whiskey Drink, Till It Felt Life You, Slide, What I Can’t Talk About, Sex, Trouble knows Trouble all lyrically great and satisfying.

This kind of review is why I hate the CV music industry…

Shut up and let the man sing.

Have been listening to the album a lot and i felt the same way about travis tritts album. Was hoping for a stellar album,didn`t get it but still think its a good solid album with a few excellent songs I had low expectations of his song sex but i think its fine. Favorite tracks are pretty damn close and trouble knows trouble,

' data-tf-not-load src=

I met Gary Allan once; he was passing through El Paso, playing with a three-piece and promoting his new album, Smoke Rings In The Dark. He and I got to talking, and he struck me during that ten minute conversation between sets as a genuine, intelligent, nice guy, so nice in fact that I assumed he’d be eaten alive by the industry. He gave me a signed press photo, and I left it on my table when my gal and I split, thinking, “This dude doesn’t stand a chance,” which shows just how much I know. Anyway, i bring this story up because while I’m personally disappointed in this new album, I don’t think Gary Allan has lost his talent; rather, I believe he’s using too many writers on each song.

Sure, Gary has co-written a few of his tunes, but the guy is mainly an interpreter; most of my favorite songs from his discography were written by other people, but he’s always been able to internalize those lyrics and make them his own, and that’s easier to do when you don’t have songs written by committee. Think of Willie Nelson’s version of “Stardust”: that’s one songwriter (Hoagy Carmichael), so the music and lyrics have a personal perspective that’s natural to relate to, and Willie, plugging into Carmichael’s melancholy, recorded the definitive version. George Jones didn’t write “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” but it only has two songwriters, it’s one of the saddest songs ever written, and George, not exactly on top of the world at that point in his career, knew exactly where the lyrics were coming from, related to that emotion, and just nailed it. To use an apt metaphor for this new album, think of a song as a glass of whiskey. The whiskey itself represents one songwriter, often (but not always) the artist him/herself, and it packs quite a punch. Add a tablespoon of water to it (another songwriter), and it gets diluted a bit but not enough to deaden the impact. Add another tablespoon of water, and it’s not as consistent and doesn’t have the same potency. Add another tablespoon of water (a fourth songwriter), and you get the idea. I think that’s happened to Gary Allan.

If one looks at the songwriting credits from Used Heart For Sale through Tough All Over, one finds that most of Gary’s songs are written by one, maybe two people, and often those writers are performing artists themselves- Jim Lauderdale, Faron Young, Todd Snider, Marty Stuart, Conway Twitty, Jesse Winchester- the lyrics are direct, from one individual perspective, and they’re driven by personal experience, which is easy to identify with. Starting with Living Hard, seven of the eleven tracks are written by three people, seven of ten on Get Off On The Pain, eight of twelve on Set You Free, and eleven of thirteen on Ruthless; ironically, the one song most everyone seems to agree is the best on this new disc is “Little Glass Of Wine,” written by one guy, Jesse Winchester (RIP). Now I’m not saying that Gary Allan is going to become Beyonce and release something like Lemonade, which had 72 co-writers, but that’s the trajectory he’s on, and I think it’s depersonalizing the music, for us and, perhaps more tragically, for him.

' data-tf-not-load src=

Gary Allan jumped the shark a long time ago. Shame because he did have so much potential in the first 4-5 albums. Honestly surprised he hasn’t been dropped. Best thing he could probably do is stop chasing radio shit and try to age gracefully. A bunch of bro-country leaning stuff sang by a guy in his mid-50s can come off a little rapey.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment.

  • Shane McAnally

Gary Allan Proves ‘Ruthless,’ 10 Albums & 25 Years Into His Unrelenting Country Music Career

by Madeline Crone June 25, 2021, 9:16 am

Nearly a quarter of a century into his country music career, Gary Allan says if he could turn back time to the country sound of his 1996 debut LP, Used Heart For Sale , he would.

Videos by American Songwriter

“Something I never do is listen to my albums back once I finish them. Usually, all I can think is what I would still do differently and the older they are, the more I feel like that,” the vetted country star tells American Songwriter in an interview. “ Used Heart  was back when I was heavily influenced by Buck Owens and really classic country. I have grown a ton since then with my appreciation for the new music, while still trying to keep that old flare in it. My heart still belongs to all of the old stuff.”

On June 25, Allan returns with Ruthless —his first new album in over eight years, following Set You Free . The 13-track collection is a montage of the years since that 2013 release, which housed hits like “Every Storm (Runs Out Of Rain)” and “It Ain’t The Whiskey.”

Since then, Allan has not stopped recording music. His new collection pieces together “sprinkles” of his life across several recording sessions: “One with Greg Droman and myself producing with my road band playing. And then another with Jay Joyce producing with my road band playing, and the last sessions with Mark Wright and Tony Brown producing with most of the players from the Smoke Rings sessions.”

The project began with almost 30 songs from these separate sessions. To narrow them down, Allan says, “I just had to live with them for a while.”

“I played them over and over in my house and I picked the ones that stood out the most to me. I typically cut 11-12 songs and pick 10 for the album,” he explains. “With so many choices, it was hard to narrow it down this time and I ended up with 13. And I think these 13 are the strongest from the mix and I am happy with them as the final album.”

Heavily influenced by the decades which shaped modern country music, Allan gravitates toward those traditional tones. He’s an evolving artist, no doubt, having endured 25 years in the music industry. But for Allan, remembering those roots allow him to expand in the country-sphere while remaining authentic to his artistry.

Songwriting credits across the track list welcome in breakthrough acts and emerging artists of the current moment, like Ross Ellis, Alex Kline, and Ryan Hurd. Mainstay hitmakers, like Shane McAnally and Sarah Buxton, cross between purveying traditional soundscapes and pioneering a more modern frontier.

Hurd teamed up with Busbee and Hillary Lindsey on the title track, “Ruthless.” The dynamic construction of the song allows for several external influences and interpretations. Yet, Allan employs his signature, smooth vocals to conjure up congenial feelings of country yesteryear.

“I think a lot of these younger writers are influenced by that time as well, but they go about writing differently,” says Allan. “Many of the newer writers only use their computers. I still write using my guitar, a pen, and paper. I think that is rare these days, but it doesn’t mean you can’t get the same passion out of writing the way they do. It is just a different time.”

“Waste Of A Whiskey Drink,” penned by Josh Kear, Michael Hardy, and Mark Holman captures a ceaseless sentiment that transcends time and trends within the country music tradition. The music video, directed by Peter Zavadil and filmed at East Nashville’s Crying Wolf bar, unfolds around the lyrics, a cautionary tale told from a brokenhearted friends.

She’s gonna climb in your car / She’s gonna mess up your sheets / You’re gonna give her your heart / You’re gonna give her your key / She’s gonna want you to change / She’s gonna flirt with your friends / She’s gonna string you along / Ruin your favorite song / And it ends with you, back at the bar / Where you are right now, no matter what you think / That’s a waste of a whiskey drink, he sings.

“SEX” utilizes a classic tool, the double-entendre, to approach a traditionally tabooed topic. McAnally, along with Nicolle Galyon and Matt Jenkins, took tongue-in-cheek to the next level: It turns love into drama / It turns girls into mamas / Yeah, that first time won’t ever let you forget/ Wouldn’t be here without it / Don’t like to talk about it.

The endearing “Unfiltered” exposes the 53-year-old artist’s age. Co-written with Blair Daly, Brad Warren, and Brett Warren, the lyrics profile a product of an older generation, raised on “Jesus, Mama, Cash, and Rock and Roll.” Playfully, the song takes back a word that was highjacked by the Millennials and Gen-Z, and throws it back with its original definition—to take something in without a “sugarcoat.”

“Pretty Damn Close” is Allan’s sole songwriting credit on the new collection. With the help of Buxton, Rodney Clawson, and Matt Warren, the enduring artist penned the love song often lost on more complicated pop production. Through this contribution—a true ballad—the troubadour reminds listeners that he still holds the key to their hearts, after all these years.

“‘I like the albums to take you on a whole journey,” says Allan, “makes you laugh, makes you cry, pisses you off, it’s got to draw an emotion out of you, or otherwise it’s not worth writing.”

Listen to Gary Allan’s new album, Ruthless , here .

Photo Credit: Eric Adkins

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Only members can comment. Become a member . Already a member? Log In .

gary allan ruthless tour set list

Our Lady Peace Offer Reality Check with “Stop Making Stupid People Famous”

© 2024 American Songwriter

gary allan ruthless tour set list

setlist.fm logo

  • Statistics Stats
  • You are here:
  • Allan, Gary
  • March 8, 2024 Setlist

Gary Allan Setlist at Brown County Music Center, Nashville, IN, USA

  • Edit setlist songs
  • Edit venue & date

Edit set times

  • Add to festival
  • Report setlist
  • Tough All Over Play Video
  • Nothing on but the Radio Play Video
  • Man to Man Play Video
  • Waste of a Whiskey Drink Play Video
  • Her Man ( Waylon Jennings  cover) Play Video
  • The One Play Video
  • Guys Like Me Play Video
  • The Hard Way Play Video
  • Tough Little Boys Play Video
  • SEX Play Video
  • Songs About Rain Play Video
  • Half of My Mistakes Play Video
  • Right Where I Need to Be Play Video
  • Tough Goodbye Play Video
  • Smoke Rings in the Dark Play Video
  • Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain) Play Video
  • Life Ain't Always Beautiful ( Dedicated to Toby Keith ) Play Video
  • Best I Ever Had Play Video
  • Man of Me Play Video
  • It Ain't the Whiskey Play Video
  • Watching Airplanes Play Video

Edits and Comments

17 activities (last edit by bmking2 , 9 Mar 2024, 04:24 Etc/UTC )

Songs on Albums

  • Guys Like Me
  • Nothing on but the Radio
  • Songs About Rain
  • Tough Little Boys
  • The Hard Way
  • Waste of a Whiskey Drink
  • Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)
  • It Ain't the Whiskey
  • Tough Goodbye
  • Best I Ever Had
  • Life Ain't Always Beautiful
  • Tough All Over
  • Half of My Mistakes
  • Watching Airplanes
  • Right Where I Need to Be
  • Smoke Rings in the Dark
  • Her Man by Waylon Jennings

Complete Album stats

Gary Allan setlists

More from this Artist

  • More Setlists
  • Artist Statistics
  • Add setlist

Gary Allan Gig Timeline

  • Feb 23 2024 Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino Maricopa, AZ, USA Add time Add time
  • Mar 07 2024 Packard Music Hall Warren, OH, USA Add time Add time
  • Mar 08 2024 Brown County Music Center This Setlist Nashville, IN, USA Start time: 8:35 PM 8:35 PM

1 person was there

Share or embed this setlist.

Use this setlist for your event review and get all updates automatically!

<div style="text-align: center;" class="setlistImage"><a href="https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/gary-allan/2024/brown-county-music-center-nashville-in-33aa8895.html" title="Gary Allan Setlist Brown County Music Center, Nashville, IN, USA 2024" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.setlist.fm/widgets/setlist-image-v1?id=33aa8895" alt="Gary Allan Setlist Brown County Music Center, Nashville, IN, USA 2024" style="border: 0;" /></a> <div><a href="https://www.setlist.fm/edit?setlist=33aa8895&amp;step=song">Edit this setlist</a> | <a href="https://www.setlist.fm/setlists/gary-allan-33d6287d.html">More Gary Allan setlists</a></div></div>

Last.fm Event Review

[url=https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/gary-allan/2024/brown-county-music-center-nashville-in-33aa8895.html][img]https://www.setlist.fm/widgets/setlist-image-v1?id=33aa8895[/img][/url] [url=https://www.setlist.fm/edit?setlist=33aa8895&amp;step=song]Edit this setlist[/url] | [url=https://www.setlist.fm/setlists/gary-allan-33d6287d.html]More Gary Allan setlists[/url]

Tour Update

Marquee memories: yonaka.

  • Mar 9, 2024
  • Mar 8, 2024
  • Mar 7, 2024
  • Mar 6, 2024
  • Mar 5, 2024
  • Mar 4, 2024
  • FAQ | Help | About
  • Terms of Service
  • Ad Choices | Privacy Policy
  • Feature requests
  • Songtexte.com

gary allan ruthless tour set list

IMAGES

  1. ‎Ruthless

    gary allan ruthless tour set list

  2. Gary Allan Ruthless Tour

    gary allan ruthless tour set list

  3. Gary Allan Extends Ruthless Tour

    gary allan ruthless tour set list

  4. GARY ALLAN

    gary allan ruthless tour set list

  5. Gary Allan Ruthless Tour

    gary allan ruthless tour set list

  6. Gary Allan: RUTHLESS TOUR

    gary allan ruthless tour set list

COMMENTS

  1. Gary Allan Concert Setlists

    Get Gary Allan setlists - view them, share them, discuss them with other Gary Allan fans for free on setlist.fm! setlist.fm Add Setlist. Search Clear search ... Edit set times; Edit tour; Add to festival; Report setlist; Feb 23 2024. Gary Allan at Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino, Maricopa, AZ, USA.

  2. Gary Allan Setlist at Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino, Maricopa

    Use this setlist for your event review and get all updates automatically! Get the Gary Allan Setlist of the concert at Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino, Maricopa, AZ, USA on August 6, 2021 from the The Ruthless Tour: 25 Years the Hard Way Tour and other Gary Allan Setlists for free on setlist.fm!

  3. Gary Allan Setlist at Horseshoe Southern Indiana, Elizabeth

    Get the Gary Allan Setlist of the concert at Horseshoe Southern Indiana, Elizabeth, IN, USA on September 11, 2021 from the The Ruthless Tour: 25 Years the Hard Way Tour and other Gary Allan Setlists for free on setlist.fm!

  4. Ruthless

    Coming out of California rugged and edgy, Allan built his career with songs that draw on raw emotion and cutting lyrics about real life and that has never been more true than on his 10th studio album Ruthless. To arrive at this rocking, swinging, loud, subtle, funny, vulnerable and sizzling suite of thirteen songs, Allan allowed himself the ...

  5. Gary Allan Setlist at Nugget Casino Resort, Sparks

    Get the Gary Allan Setlist of the concert at Nugget Casino Resort, Sparks, NV, USA on March 17, 2023 from the The Ruthless Tour: 25 Years the Hard Way Tour and other Gary Allan Setlists for free on setlist.fm! setlist.fm Add Setlist. Search ... All Gary Allan set times. Show Details Hide Details. Gary Allan. More from this Artist. More Setlists;

  6. Gary Allan Concert Map by tour: The Ruthless Tour: 25 Years the Hard

    Allan, Gary > Tour Statistics. Song Statistics Stats; Tour Statistics Stats; Other Statistics; All Setlists. All setlist songs (484) Years on tour. Show all. 2023 (15) 2022 (22) 2021 (30) 2020 (1) 2019 (19) 2018 (18) ... The Ruthless Tour: 25 Years the Hard Way (30) Songs; Albums; Avg Setlist; Covers;

  7. Gary Allan Staying "Ruthless," Adding More Dates to Critically

    Country star and multiplatinum artist Gary Allan has just added more tour dates to his Ruthless Tour, a nationwide celebration of his critically acclaimed 10th studio album Ruthless — and, as Allan says, 25 years of "doing it the hard way." In addition to his already announced dates spanning from Wisconsin to California, newly announced shows include multiple stops in South Carolina ...

  8. Gary Allan Albums by tour: The Ruthless Tour: 25 Years the Hard Way

    See which songs from which albums Gary Allan played during the The Ruthless Tour: 25 Years the Hard Way tour. setlist.fm Add Setlist. Search Clear search text. follow. Setlists; Artists; Festivals; Venues ... Gary Allan Albums by tour: The Ruthless Tour: 25 Years the Hard Way. 1: Ruthless: 29: 2:

  9. Shows

    The RUTHLESS Tour: 25 Years the Hard Way Upcoming Shows. Facebook; Twitter; Instagram; RSS

  10. Artist Appearances on Gary Allan Concerts

    Gary Allan statistics: Check out who joined Gary Allan on stage at live performance during the tour The Ruthless Tour: 25 Years the Hard Way. setlist.fm Add Setlist. Search Clear search ... Artist appearances at Gary Allan concerts by tour: The Ruthless Tour: 25 Years the Hard Way.

  11. Ruthless Tour

    GARY ALLAN STAYING "RUTHLESS," ADDING MORE DATES TO CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED TOUR. by Stephanie Orr | Jun 6, 2022 | News. Country star and multiplatinum artist Gary Allan has just added more tour dates to his Ruthless Tour, a nationwide celebration of his critically acclaimed 10th studio album Ruthless — and, as Allan says, 25 years of "doing it the hard way."

  12. Gary Allan Ruthless Tour

    Allan's most recent album, RUTHLESS, was released in June 2021. The 13-song album features songs produced by Mark Wright, Tony Brown, Greg Droman, Jay Joyce, and Allan himself. His previous album, SET YOU FREE, topped the Billboard 200 (Pop Chart), a career first for Allan. The album also made its debut at the top of the Billboard Country ...

  13. Gary Allan Brings RUTHLESS Tour To The Theater At Virgin Hotels

    By: A.A. Cristi Aug. 01, 2022. This National Finals Rodeo (NFR) season, multi-platinum country artist Gary Allan is set to bring his RUTHLESS Tour to The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, part ...

  14. Gary Allan Next Concert Setlist & tour dates 2024

    Get ready for the next concert of Gary Allan, discover the probable setlist and listen to the songs to be played live before Gary Allan takes the stage. ... Explore the places where you can catch Gary Allan on tour. 26 Upcoming concerts, touring in the following countries: Canada, United States, etc. Comments (0) Your comment. You can share ...

  15. Ruthless (Gary Allan album)

    Ruthless. (2021) Singles from Ruthless. "Waste of a Whiskey Drink". Released: July 30, 2020. Ruthless is the tenth studio album by American country music artist Gary Allan, released on June 25, 2021, by MCA Nashville. It is Allan's first album of new material in over eight years after releasing Set You Free .

  16. Gary Allan Concert & Tour History (Updated for 2024)

    Gary Allan. Ruthless Tour Show Me Center: Cape Girardeau, Missouri, United States: Apr 26, 2024 Upcoming. Buy Tickets. Gary Allan: Bridge View Center: Ottumwa, Iowa, United States: ... The songs that Gary Allan performs live vary, but here's the latest setlist that we have from the February 23, 2024 concert at Harrah's Phoenix Ak-Chin Casino in ...

  17. Gary Allan

    Gary Allan set to perform at Aggie Park Friday | KBTX. BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - Country artist Gary Allan will perform at Aggie Park on Friday. The concert starts at 8:30 p.m. and is free to the public. It is part of Texas A&M's Fall Concert Series. There will be food trucks on-site as well.

  18. Gary Allan: The RUTHLESS Tour

    Check out Gary Allan live at The Mill on June 24th. With the allure of a modern day outlaw, Gary Allan has won over fans, peers and critics with his signatur...

  19. Gary Allan

    Multi-platinum country artist Gary Allan is set to bring his Ruthless Tour to town on Saturday, August 5 at 8PM! Tickets start at $29 and are available online at OwensboroTickets.com and at the Owensboro Convention Center Box Office. Please note Box Office Hours are Mon-Fri from 9am-5pm. Tickets: Floor - $79 Side Wood Chairbacks/ Side ...

  20. Album Review

    You don't want to hate on Gary Allan. He's a guy you root for in the mainstream. But ultimately this album just doesn't muster up much of a defense for itself. It's like in football: if you have three quarterbacks legitimately competing for the starting job, ultimately you don't have any.

  21. Gary Allan Proves 'Ruthless,' 10 Albums & 25 Years Into His Unrelenting

    On June 25, Allan returns with Ruthless—his first new album in over eight years, following Set You Free. The 13-track collection is a montage of the years since that 2013 release, which housed ...

  22. Gary Allan Setlist at Brown County Music Center, Nashville

    Gary Allan Gig Timeline. Feb 23 2024. Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino Maricopa, AZ, USA. Add time. Mar 07 2024. Packard Music Hall Warren, OH, USA. Add time. Mar 08 2024. Brown County Music Center This Setlist Nashville, IN, USA.