Dan Evans' New CD Debuts in Country's Top 10
From 'The Biggest Loser' TV Show to Making Country Music Hits
Nov 4, 2008
A native of Frankfort, Ill., Dan Evans—after dropping 136 life-transforming pounds as the television cameras documented his struggle—is now touring in support of Goin’ All Out, his debut CD, as part of a multi-artist outing dubbed the Purpose for the Pain tour.
“This tour is a little different than most of the traveling I’m doing,” Evans shared in a recent promotional video. “Not only is it about a night of great music, but this tour is about a night of inspiration. There’s other artists on this tour that have had some awesome, life-changing experiences and we’re going to be sharing our stories (as part of the concert shows.)”
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At just 22, the blond singer is no stranger to life’s transitions, and especially lately. His 11-song CD, which was released nationally Sept. 30, debuted at No. 7 on the Top Current Country Album Charts of Billboard and at No. 57 on its all-genre Top 200 rankings. According to Soundcan, the country-meets-pop disc also opened at No. 5 on the Christian/Gospel-Mainstream Retail Overall chart.
Beyond his singing talent, Evans had a hand in penning five of the album’s songs, including the title track and first single, Goin’ All Out, as well as Here I Am, Go On, All That's In My Head and Letter to My Addiction (Free At Last), the latter of which was inspired by being able to take control of his life after his dramatic weight loss.
Evans contributed to his debut’s song lineup with aid from tunesmiths Dave Berg, 2008 ASCAP Songwriter of the Year, and Stephanie Lewis, ASCAP's 2002 Songwriter of the Year, not to mention album co-producers Russ DeSalvo and Jim Kimball, a noted engineer who’s recorded with country stars Toby Keith, Reba McEntire and Tim McGraw. Plus, other respected Nashville songwriters pitched in, too, including Jon Randall—co-author of Whiskey Lullaby, a 2005 hit by Brad Paisley and Allison.
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"This album represents a lifelong dream for me, and it has been incredible to have people in the industry who I respect so much get on board with my debut project,” Evans said. “It's been such an honor to work with them, and a lot of fun."
With a 20-city tour, in-store performances and radio interviews filling up the remainder of his year, Evans—in spite of being brand-new to the country-music circuit—already has begun to amass a devoted following of country fans and radio airplay. Admittedly, though, if not for his contestant role, along with his mom, Jackie, on NBC TV's “The Biggest Loser,” the aspiring country-rocker said it’s not likely he’d have mustered the self-confidence or motivation to follow his musical dream.
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"I'm so happy to see all the fans who supported me during my ‘Biggest Loser’ journey continuing to support my music career," said Evans, who'll film the music video for Goin' All Out on Nov. 13 in Nashville.
“Since (the TV show), I’m now living and pursuing my dreams: I’m playing music. That’s been my true passion my whole life, and now I get to do it professionally. I‘m traveling the entire country, (and) sharing my music with people.”
To learn more about Evans’ current tour dates or sample music from his EMG/Universal release, please access the artist’s music site.
- Readers interested in this story may also enjoy Album Review: Goin' All Out by Dan Evans.
Sources
Dan Evans Lands in the Top 10 of Billboard's Top Country Albums Chart with Debut Release Goin' All Out, Oct. 15, 2008, press release, courtesy of Wortman Works.
Dan Evans promotional video, available on artist's Myspace music page. Accessed Nov. 4, 2008, at www.myspace.com/danevansmusic
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