Gary Allan, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Share ‘Whiskey’ Memories

When NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. opened his Whiskey River nightclub in downtown Charlotte, N.C., in April of last year, there was no question which performer he wanted for the opening night, invitation-only gala -- Gary Allan.

"I had become a pretty good fan of his over the last couple of years, and he's just put out some really amazing stuff," Dale Jr. tells The Boot. "I was trying to find somebody I knew would be a big hit with everybody. I had never met him before, but he just seemed like a good fit. It was awesome to hear his songs in our bar. I'm sure the venues he plays are much grander than our bar in Charlotte, but it was a great experience to hear him and see the enthusiasm in not only him and the band, but everybody in the bar and how he really tied the place together."

Dale Jr. says he now considers the country star a great friend, adding, "If I needed a favor, he would do it, and likewise, I would do the same."

And even though things seem to have worked out, Gary admits he wasn't exactly jumping at the chance to play at Whiskey River.

"[Dale] had called and asked if we would do it, and I said no at first just because it was a smaller thing, and I don't really do that kind of stuff, and I didn't really know him," Gary reveals to The Boot. "Then he had his assistant call, and he said if I would do it for him, he would make a public appearance for me for any charity. The way he came at me, I thought was really cool. He just seemed like a real nice guy, so I said, 'Yeah, I'll do it.' We went down and opened his club, it was a big raging party and I got to know him a little bit. He's a great guy."

So has Dale Jr. made good on his promise to help out one of Gary's charities? "You know what, he did," says the singer-guitarist. "He's always done stuff for us. Just recently he signed a whole bunch of auto parts stuff ... fenders, tires and all kinds of stuff from one of his races. So yeah, he's always good for anything we ask. We've got a real good relationship going."

Dale Jr. and Gary may have a chance to catch up when the racing champ visits the CMA Awards in November.