Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009

Gary Allan brings his hard-edged country to the Civic Center

Even when life isn’t easy, Gary Allan thrives on “Living Hard.”

That’s the title of the country artist’s most recent disc, an effort Allan describes as “much more rockin’ than anything I’ve done.”

Allan, known for hits like “Man to Man” and “Tough Little Boys,” comes to the Columbus Civic Center Saturday.

“Living Hard,” released in 2007, marked a new musical direction for Allan.

He brought an edge to traditional country rhythms, relying on influences like The Rolling Stones.

But even as his songs change stylistically, a major goal of Allan’s remains the same: music as therapy.

Allan’s wife committed suicide in 2004, and the artist’s 2005 disc, “Tough All Over,” drew on lyrics driven by his emotions.

Many of Allan’s songs still deal with the impact of his loss.

In recent tracks “Learning How to Bend” and “We Touched the Sun,” he writes about how he’s learned to move forward.

Allan has declined media interviews after his wife’s death, pointing to his song lyrics as the best way for fans to understand his feelings.

“I don’t really talk to people about my situation, but I feel like since I do write about my life and where I am, you can watch me heal through my music,” Allan said in a statement.

He reassures fans that musical therapy is still serving him well.

“I’m in a good place, definitely happy,” Allan said.

Opening acts

Saturday, Allan will be joined by singer-songwriter Randy Houser, who in November released his debut album, “Anything Goes.”

The title single has already been successful on the country music charts.

“Everything’s going great. It’s rolling right along,” Houser said of his debut disc in a recent phone interview.

Houser had a humble upbringing in central Mississippi, taking up songwriting as a teen. He relied on musical mentoring from his father, a well-known performer in the Jackson, Miss., area. His father died when Randy was 21.

A few years later, Houser moved to Nashville. The move was a gateway for a prominent songwriting career.

Houser co-wrote Trace Adkins’ chart-topping single, “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk,” and has also penned tunes for artists like John Michael Montgomery.

Houser’s own recordings of the songs he wrote spotlighted his talents, leading to the release of his debut disc — an effort he said allowed him to experiment musically.

“That’s one of the cool things about making that first album,” Houser said.

He expects his next disc will rely more on a traditional country sound.

“I’m kind of like a fan, too,” Houser said. “I write what I want to hear.”

Houser doesn’t view songwriting and performing as mutually exclusive.

He said he’s kept a passion for songwriting even as his recording career has given him a bigger role in the public eye.

“There hasn’t been really a transition,” Houser said.

Singers Jeremy McCall, Kirsten Underwood and Krysta Nick will also open Saturday’s show. They’re the winners of a local talent contest.