Q&A with Gary Allan – See Him LIVE at RiverCenter on Friday, June 5!

Interview by Carrie Beth Wallace

Images by Eric Adkins courtesy of JF Communications

For decades, Gary Allan has occupied a singular space in country music — one where heartbreak, grit, longing, and resilience are delivered with striking honesty. Long before vulnerability became a buzzword in mainstream music, Allan built a career on songs that refused to look away from life’s harder moments. His voice — weathered, soulful, and unmistakably his own — has become a companion for listeners navigating loss, love, healing, and everything in between.

But what has always made Allan’s work resonate so deeply is not simply the pain within it. It’s the humanity. Across platinum-selling records and decades of touring, he has remained committed to making music that tells the truth, even when the truth is messy.

On Friday, June 5, Allan brings that unmistakable sound to RiverCenter for the Performing Arts in Columbus, Georgia for an evening that promises both powerful storytelling and the kind of live music connection that lingers long after the final song. Ahead of the performance, The Columbusite spoke with Allan about vulnerability in songwriting, artistic longevity, finding his own voice, and what he hopes audiences carry with them after the show ends.

Q: Your music has always carried a remarkable sense of honesty — the kind that makes listeners feel less alone in their own stories. How has your relationship with vulnerability in songwriting changed over the years?

A: I have always looked at writing as a form of therapy.  I ask myself, “Is there something I need to get out today?” and I write about it. Granted, some songs are just about something fun and easy to write, but most of the time, one of us in the room has something to get out. People relate to that, and music heals.

Q: Many artists talk about balancing longevity with reinvention. After decades in country music, what continues to inspire you creatively, both as a songwriter and performer?

A: Music evolves, and you have to evolve with it. However, I feel you have to stay true to yourself and your sound as well. It is a fine balance, but you want fans to hear your music and know it is you.

Q: There’s a grit and emotional depth to your sound that has helped define your career. Do you feel today’s music landscape still makes room for artists who lean into rawness and imperfection?

A: With the many ways people can access music today, the landscape is more open than ever. Listeners can now discover and enjoy the music they love in ways that weren’t possible before.

Q: Live music creates a unique kind of community, especially in cities that deeply value the arts like Columbus, Georgia. What do you hope audiences walk away with after experiencing your show?

A: I hope fans leave my show excited, exhausted, and wanting more. I want them to come to the show and hear their favorite hits, their favorite album cuts, and maybe a few new songs that excite them and make them want to go back and listen to all the songs that made them fans. If it is their first show, I hope they walk away planning their next show.

Q: Looking back on your career so far, what moments — onstage, in the studio, or behind the scenes — have most shaped the artist and person you are today?

A: Playing in bands with my dad made me the artist and person I am today. He taught me to become my own artist and not imitate other artists. It took me a while to find my own voice, but once I did, I understood what he meant. I will always be grateful to him for the advice he gave me in those early days.

Make plans to see Gary Allan LIVE on Friday, June 5 at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. Tickets are available now – please purchase exclusively from the RiverCenter to ensure you do not fall victim to ticket fraud. Click here to buy tickets! ◼️