Due to the success of Gary Allan’s latest Top 10 single, “Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain),” his new album, Set You Free, has been moved up a couple of months and will hit stores January 22nd. The new collection is the follow-up to the California native’s 2010 offering, Get Off On the Pain, and every album is a reflection of where he is at in his life. “I think every album that I’ve made is a stamp on where I was at that moment in time, and this one is definitely no different,” says Gary. “I’m in a good place.”

When he first came to Nashville in pursuit of a country music career, Gary sat down with one of the town’s most prolific songwriters and colorful characters, the late Harlan Howard. “He kinda laughed as we were writing and playing around and he goes, ‘Well, you can write. Your problem is you ain’t got nothin’ to say,” Gary laughs. “He goes, ‘You haven’t lived long enough. You haven’t been through…you need to get divorced a few times.’ [laughs]”

Gary has certainly lived quite a bit since he released his first album, 1996’s Used Heart for Sale, and it shows…in his music.

AUDIO: Gary Allan has a lot of inspiration when it comes to writing about his life, which makes for really good albums, such as his new one, Set You Free.

Gary Allan (album is a reflection of life) OC: …few times. [laughs] :31
“I think every album that I’ve made is a stamp on where I was at that moment in time, and this one is definitely no different. I’m in a good place. I think with all the travel and all that stuff gives you the tools to write stuff like that. I can remember when I first came to town Harlan Howard was sitting down with me and he kinda laughed as we were writing and playing around and he goes, ‘Well, you can write. Your problem is you ain’t got nothin’ to say.’ [Gary laughs] He goes, ‘You haven’t lived long enough. You haven’t been through…you need to get divorced a few times.’ [laughs]”