Whereas artists travel from different states and countries to Music City in pursuit of the country music dream, the physical journey for Drew Green was only about 60 minutes from McMinnville, TN. But while that trip might have been shorter than for most, his road to success wasn’t. Like so many others before him and those to follow, Drew faced a roller-coaster of playing in bars to being on the edge of giving up when he and his family moved out of Nashville and he took a 9-5 job. However the “What if’s” kept haunting him, leading his family to make a final push, moving back and laying down a 5-year time line for success in a 10-year town. That Hail Mary move lead to a co-write on a Florida Georgia Line track and his first publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Nashville and GRAMMY-winning songwriter Brett James’ company Cornman Music. Now Drew has added another chapter to his career as a recording artist with Sony Music Nashville/Villa 40, releasing his debut single “Little More Be Alright” in June followed by “Right Where I Be” on July 10th.
We talked with Drew about his back and forth decisions with pursuing music, his debut and current singles, and more – including some inside information on his upcoming music video!
CN: For our readers who may not be familiar with you, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
DG: I’m from McMinnville, Tennessee about an hour southeast of Nashville. I grew up on a tree farm. I met my wife Bethany who is a nurse practitioner in college at Tennessee Tech University and we have a son Levi.
CN: With everything that’s going on in the world in regards to COVID-19, we hope everyone in your circle is safe and healthy. How are you holding up?
DG: Doing good, just staying busy writing and recording as much as I can. Been taking some trips to Center Hill Lake with co-writers where my parents have a houseboat to write and turning the phone off a few days. Feels good.
CN: How and when did you discover music?
DG: In my dad’s work truck on the farm he always had country radio on. My mother says I’d sing “Brand New Man” by Brooks and Dunn on a stool at my Grandfathers death bed. I was 3 or 4 at that time.
CN: Which musicians, country or not, have influenced you both personally and as an artist?
DG: I’d say Alan Jackson has been my favorite throughout my life. Eric Church’s first few albums really influenced me as a songwriter.
CN: What was the first album you ever owned?
DG: The Monkees Greatest Hits like in the 2nd grade.
CN: You grew up on a tree farm, and there was a time when you thought of continuing the family business. Was there a moment when you realized that you couldn’t do that because you were meant to pursue a career in music?
DG: I probably wouldn’t have let my father’s work be sold because he’s worked so hard all my life. But I knew that I could pursue music once my younger brother was taking the farm as his profession. So I guess I can thank him.
CN: While in college, you started to stray away from a music career, and stopped performing. Please tell our readers about that fateful evening when you performed at a bar during trivia night at Tennessee Tech University.
DG: I had just come back from summer break and was eating wings and drinking beers with a few buddies and randomly someone came in and gave the owner of the bar some money to hear live music. The owner came around and asked us if anyone played so I volunteered. I played some Matchbox 20, Ryan Adams, and Billy Currington and later found out the random request for music came from Steve Smith, the owner of Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge. He asked if I wanted a job in his Honkytonk singing. I also got a weekly gig from the owner of the bar I was in and that is literally how I got started.
CN: Have to ask, as a Matchbox 20 fan, which songs were in your cover set list? If “Bright Lights” is on there, we may have to request to hear it.
DG: It was “3AM” actually, but I later learned “Push” and I think those we’re the only ones I performed. Maybe I’ll do “Bright Lights” though, good call!
CN: After taking another hiatus and taking a job at a bank, you, your wife and growing family decided to give songwriting another shot in this 10 year town but within a 5 year window. What was going through your head when Florida Georgia Line picked up “Colorado” which you co-wrote with Hunter Phelps and HARDY?
DG: Me and Hunter wrote together regularly, but that was the first song me and Hardy got together on so we are 1-0 we say, haha. When FGL cut “Colorado” I was on the moon! Hardy and Hunter surprised me in the studio and I got to watch the band cut it and it meant the world to me.
CN: As a storyteller, can you take us through your songwriting process?
DG: Everyday is different! Sometimes I have a title/idea I’ve been thinking about or sometimes I just have a melody and turn that into something. Most cases I find myself saying or hearing something that catches my ear and I write it down, think on it, then write it.
CN: Last month you took another step in your career with your debut single “Little More Be Alright.” What made you decide that it was time for you to record and release a song you wrote?
DG: My publisher (now manager also) heard some songs and thought it was time I take the next step if it was something I wanted. I actually didn’t write “Little More Be Alright” till after I had already signed my record deal with Sony and Villa 40. I had always wanted to perform my own songs, I just wanted to make sure time was right.
CN: The song is very honest and personal, showing how you are grateful for what you have but it’s still ok to dream for more. What was the reasoning behind choosing this song to be your introduction as a recording artist?
DG: Well it’s one of my favorite songs I’ve ever written and I wrote it with just my producer and it felt like me more than anything. My favorite songs are ones that progress through a story but the chorus remains the same. In my opinion those are strong written songs. Also, it happened to be my team’s favorite too. It was just special from day 1.
CN: You definitely made the right decision as the song earned 300K on-demand streams just last week alone. What does that mean to you to have such a huge reaction with your first song out of the gate?
DG: It really shows what having a great song and a great team behind you can do! I’m so pleased and thankful I get to release more music and hope we keep growing!
CN: Your second single “Right Where I Be” was just released on Friday, July 10. What was the inspiration behind this song?
DG: I had the title in my phone for sometime. It was one of those ideas I had said in a conversation and it stuck out and we wrote it a few months later. My producer Mark Trussell made a beat/vibe and the chorus just came out easy. I knew we had a fun hitty jam not many lines into the song.
CN: There’s something else coming that your fans can be excited about! You are going to release a music video for the single – what can you give a sneak peek as to what fans can expect?
DG: Dustin Haney really captured what was going through my mind while writing it. The scene is exactly where we wrote it you might say. It was a lot of fun getting to perform in the back of a Chevy I will say!
CN: Being a songwriter first, you have said that “I don’t think I’ve ever said, ‘today, I’m going to write a song for me.” Has that changed at all with the release of these singles?
DG: Not really, I’ve got a few I’m working on that I’m excited about for some upcoming projects. But most days best idea, best song. Most times they turn in to something I really like anyway.
CN: If you had the opportunity to collaborate with any one artist, who would it be?
DG: Alan Jackson
CN: What was the first concert you ever attended?
DG: Shania Twain
CN: If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be and why?
DG: Workaholic – I remember my dad was that way and since I’ve done music I’ve been that way. Most people can write 4-6 hours before they burnout or give up and I’ve caught myself writing/working for 2 days straight and if I ain’t working I’m thinking about it. Video games are about the only thing that can free my mind from lyrics. I just love music and songwriting.
CN: What’s next on the horizon for you?
DG: Just continue to put out more music! Hopefully get out on a tour in 2021.
For more information on Drew Green, visit his website at www.drewgreen.com and follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.