Drew Hale Artist Interview
This week, Nashville Briefing caught up with rising artist Drew Hale, who has one of the best new voices in country music (take our word for it) and was recently named one of Tractor Supply Co’s Emerging Artists. Over the Midwest and around the country, the name Drew Hale is synonymous with soaring vocals, haunting melodies, and high energy live shows. A native Texan, Drew’s style of music pays homage to his roots in the red dirt and southern rock scenes of Texas and the Southwest, while his lyrics speak to his deep affection for the lifestyle and culture of his home in Northern Michigan. Drew is the winner of the 34th annual Country Showdown national championship, which took place at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville and earned him the title of ‘Best New Act in Country Music’. See some highlights from our conversation below.
You're a Texas native but moved to Northern Michigan 25 years ago. What brought you up North? I moved to Traverse City, MI in 2008 to take a position as a music director at a small church there. We fell in love with the area and decided to call it home. Since then I’ve moved from church musician to full time country singer/songwriter.
What has your artist career looked like to date? Has it been centered around live performances, recording, writing? What are your goals as an artist? My career really began at my home church in El Paso, TX. I cut my teeth on that stage from the time I was a teen. After moving to michigan I began gigging as a solo artist, and started to grow a following playing my own material. In 2016 I won the Texaco Country Showdown and the $100,000 grand prize, so I used it to get a van and a trailer, buy a system, record an album, and go on the road. And I’ve been there ever since. I’ve since put out a couple of EP’s, a handful of singles, and another full length album. My ultimate goal as an artist is to procure a publishing deal and be a full time songwriter, alongside playing my own material as an artist.
You have 10 year old twins and an 11 year old who join you out on the road. What's it like bringing them out? Do they enjoy the road? My boys have been on the road with me since they were babies. They road trip better than most of the adults I know! To put it into perspective, we were traveling cross country from Michigan to Las Vegas last summer, and one of our travel days was a little shorter. And by shorter, I mean it was only like 8 hours to our destination. My oldest, Hunter, asked us how long we had to drive, and I said 8 hours, and he went “oh, that’s not too bad”. Yeah. They’re old pros on the road at this point. We spend so much time crammed in a vehicle together, but we love it. And it’s made us closer as a family. When it comes to shows, they’re basically a road crew for me. They help me load in and out, they run my merch sometimes, they know how to roll up cables properly and put instruments away and pack up a stage, and they love it. I have been really intentional about trying to help them feel at home in my world, and let them know that they have a place with me in what I do. And it’s helped this music thing feel like a family affair rather than just something I do, and drag them along.
It feels like you're starting to make inroads into Nashville, especially having just been chosen for the Tractor Supply Company Emerging Artist Program and working with Lainey Wilson as a mentor. Did you plan to break into Nashville, or did it just seem to happen Naturally? I’ve actually been playing in Nashville regularly for years. I’m one of the house bands at Wildhorse Saloon. It was a very intentional move to get down here. Our goal has been to build relationships and make connections with other songwriters and musicians. The Tractor Supply contest has been a huge bolster to that, especially with having the opportunity to work with Lainey and glean from her experience. I look forward to seeing what doors open because of that relationship.
Have you had any moments to work with Lainey Wilson yet? What has that experience been like and has she given you any advice? I had the opportunity a couple weeks ago to sit and talk with her. And the biggest thing I took away from her was encouragement. Listening to her say she’s a big fan of mine, and that I have what it takes to make it as a singer/songwriter in this industry was humbling and reminded me exactly what I’ve been working for. Her biggest advice was just to keep writing “real” and don’t compromise my style or my message, and just own who I am as an artist.
What’s one tip for making it as an independent musician? Build relationships. Be kind to people. Show up on time, work hard, and learn to go with the flow of something isn’t as you expected. Don’t abuse your break times, people are paying you for your time and your talent. Do your best to make them feel like they made a good investment and they’ll book you again and again. And never be afraid to charge what you’re worth, even if people bawk at it.
What should we be on the lookout for? I’ve got a new single called ‘River Jordan’ coming out through the Tractor Supply Emerging Artist program! And there will be a new full length album coming around the first of the year. And there’s more coming down the pipe. So stay tuned!