Dan Evans has wanted to be a country music star since the night his first pickup truck was stolen. “When I was 16, I saved all my money from my summer job to buy a truck. I had a brand new stereo installed and proudly drove that truck to the CD release party for Keith Urban’s Golden Road. I floated out of that show on cloud nine, knowing that my life and all my dreams had just changed forever -- only to find that my truck and my new CD player had been stolen! But it barely fazed me. I remember thinking that whoever took my truck could have it; I had my CD, a new dream and I wouldn’t trade my experience at that show for anything.”
Dan Evans grew up captivated by a love of music and a dream of sharing it with any available audience. A native of Frankfort, Illinois, he spent his teenage years honing his skills on the guitar and piano, and later welcomed the challenge of writing and performing his own songs. Inspired by numerous artists from Keith Urban, George Strait, Rascal Flatts and the Eagles. Dan’s desire to pursue music as a career became less of a dream and more of a priority.
But even as his popularity increased with young audiences in the Chicago area, a single shadow loomed over his aspirations; his constant battle with obesity and self-esteem. At age 21, Dan was forced to come to terms with the fact that there would be no room for his 310-pound frame in an industry driven by outward appearances.
However, his lifelong battle with the scale and his own insecurities came to a screeching halt in 2008 when Dan and his mother, Jackie, were chosen to become contestants on season five of the hit reality television show “The Biggest Loser”. Dan Evans quickly became a household name amongst the show’s 18 million viewers. He lost 136 pounds and subsequently found the doors to his childhood dreams flung wide open.
“Since my time on the show, I have met so many people who watched me every week and told me how much my determination inspired them. I’m honored to be an encouragement to people and my goal as an artist is to remind every audience I encounter that personal issues and insecurities should never keep you from pursuing the things you love. I have my life back now and I want to inspire others who have similar dreams, but lack the motivation to achieve them.”
Just months after his own huge personal victory, Dan Evans is maintaining his status as a poster child for personal revolution. His debut album, Goin’ All Out, was co-written with Stephanie Lewis, ASCAP’s 2002 songwriter of the year, and produced by acclaimed songwriter and producer Russ DeSalvo and guitarist/composer Jim Kimball. Kimball, a noted engineer, has recorded and collaborated with artists such as Toby Keith, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, and N*Sync. Dan’s studio release of “No Hero” has been well received by his growing fan base. The album’s title track will be released as the first single, and the complete album distributed by EMG, Fontana Distribution, and Universal Music Distribution Group, will be available for purchase on September 30, 2008. The country-rock project, influenced by Dan’s musical role models, Keith Urban, Jason Aldean and Tim McGraw, celebrates victory over life-limiting issues and speaks as a sincere, energetic testimony of hard won self-confidence.
With a new album to promote, a packed summer tour schedule, and another television show in the works, the career Dan Evans has always dreamed about is at his fingertips and he would love for you to stay along for the ride. But when you show up for a concert, please do find a safe place to park your vehicle.