Gary Allan shot the video for his latest single, “It Ain’t the Whiskey,” in a real church in Nashville, and he said it’s probably the favorite video he’s done over the course of his career. “The twist of the video is I tried to make it look like you were going to a funeral like somebody that died, and that’s what your heartaches’ about,” says Gary. “But when you get to the funeral, it turns out it’s a wedding and it’s the girl that you loved, and your heartache is marrying somebody else.”

The California native says it’s actually his “go-to song” when he’s playing acoustic shows. “I didn’t write it, but it’s a powerful song,” says Gary.

Gary has a few dates on the books before he heads to Las Vegas for this year’s ACM Awards next month. He’s nominated for Song of the Year for his No. 1 hit “Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain).” The 49th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, hosted by Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton, will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas April 6th at 8pm ET/delayed PT on CBS.

Gary Allan (Whiskey video) OC: …twist in that. :19
“Inside [the church] it almost looks Egyptian, a very funky church. Anyway, I guess the twist of the video is I tried to make it look like you were going to a funeral like somebody that died, and that’s what your heartaches’ about. But when you get to the funeral, it turns out it’s a wedding and it’s the girl that you loved and your heartache is marrying somebody else. So, that was kind of the twist in that.”

Gary Allan (Whiskey song & video) OC: …of a song. :26
“I think the video really fit the song. A lot of times it’s kinda hard, it doesn’t make some sense, but this, I felt like it was right in there with the song. And the song, I didn’t write it, but it’s a powerful song. I’ve had it for about probably three years and I played it by myself in my shows. I played it acoustically. It was my go-to song in the guitar pulls over a hit. I think it’s that powerful of a song.”