Twenty-five-year-old Mansfield native Gannon Adams has been in love with country music his whole life.

He first became interested in performing while he attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Ga. He started a self-titled band six months ago and has been traveling solo with Merle Haggard for the past few weeks as Haggard's opening act. He will open for Haggard again next Wednesday, April 25 at Macon City Auditorium.

"I grew up listening to country music. Country has always been in my blood. It's deep in my roots," Adams said.
The Gannon Adams Band consists of Adams on vocals, base player Ronnie Williams, drummer Dale Almond, and lead guitarists Connor Moon and Nathan Singer.

Adams opened up for Haggard at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. last week, singing original songs as well as cover songs by other popular country artists.

"It was certainly an overwhelming experience," he said. "I can't even begin to describe to people how excited I was.

It was amazing to be able to stand on the same stage that so many other great artists have stood on before me especially since it's where the Grand Ole Opry started."

Adams continued to travel with Haggard to Pigeon Forge, Tenn. to the Pigeon Forge Country Nite theatre.

"Merle's a nice guy," he continued. "It's been a huge honor opening up for him."

Adams said that he is inspired by artists like Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Merle Haggard, and even Taylor Swift, who writes about situations that she has gone through in the past.

"When I write my songs, I like to write them from personal experiences (like Swift)," he said.

The Gannon Adams Band has a CD out right now that fans can purchase by going to cdbaby.com.