Drew Baldridge burst onto the country music scene and into our playlists via Sirius XM’s The Highway, a platform renowned for spotlighting future stars as “Highway Finds.” For many, the initial introduction to Drew Baldridge Songs came in the form of catchy tunes like “Dance With Ya” and “Rebound,” tracks that immediately clicked with the station’s youthful listeners.
Intrigued by this fresh voice in country music, we had the pleasure of speaking with Drew Baldridge himself, delving into the origins of his musical journey.
Drew Baldridge performing country music
Hailing from the small, rural landscape of Patoka, Illinois, nestled amongst farmlands and oil fields, Baldridge’s story is a classic tale of small-town roots nurturing big musical dreams. Like many prominent artists, his initial foray into singing began within the church walls.
“I started singing bass in a quartet with my dad when I was about 16,” Drew recalls, reflecting on his early musical experiences. “Then, by 17, I was performing in bars. But country music has always been where my heart truly belonged. Growing up on my grandpa’s farm, country music just resonated deeply with my life and experiences.”
In 2011, at just 19 years old, Drew Baldridge made the pivotal move to Nashville, the heart of country music. Immersing himself in the songwriting culture and performing at iconic venues like Tootsies on Broadway, he diligently honed his musical skills. “I’ve been fortunate enough to never need another job outside of music,” Baldridge confirms, a testament to his early dedication and talent.
Drew Baldridge album Dirt on Us
His commitment paid off. By 2013, he secured a publishing deal, followed by his first record deal in 2015. The album Dirt on Us featured “Dance With Ya” and “Rebound,” the very songs that initially propelled his career forward. Drew openly acknowledges the significant impact of Sirius XM’s The Highway in broadening his reach and solidifying his presence in the country music landscape.
When discussing his musical influences, Drew Baldridge readily cites Josh Turner, another distinctive voice in country music.
“Josh Turner really blurred the lines, seamlessly blending country with gospel,” Baldridge explains. “The fact that ‘Me and God’ could be a number one country hit was incredibly inspiring to me.”
This influence is evident in Drew Baldridge songs like “God’s People,” where he openly shares his faith. “Songs like that are a way for me to share my personal beliefs,” he states. “I’m very open about my Christian faith, and it’s something I’m proud to express through my music.”
Drew Baldridge performing at a concert
Baldridge made a conscious decision to include a song acknowledging his faith on each of his albums. On Dirt on Us, this was realized through “Tractors Don’t Roll,” a poignant tribute to farmers and their tradition of observing Sunday as a day of rest. “It’s honestly one of my favorite songs I’ve ever written,” he reflects.
Looking back, the now 28-year-old artist candidly admits, “I probably got a record deal a little too early in my career. I was still figuring out my artistic voice and what I truly wanted to communicate through my music.” This period of reflection led to a more considered approach to his sophomore album, Middle of Nowhere Kids.
Drew Baldridge with LOCASH's Chris Lucas
While touring with LOCASH in 2019, inspiration struck. Working with the duo, he co-wrote “Before You,” a deeply personal song intended as a proposal anthem for his then-girlfriend, now fiancé, Katie. The original plan was a romantic proposal in Paris on March 16th, but the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent European travel ban just two days prior forced a change of plans.
The original lyrics of “Before You” contained the line, “I never thought I’d fly to Paris and get down upon one knee.” With the song already recorded and mastered for release post-engagement, Drew faced a time-sensitive challenge.
“I knew I had to get back into the studio and change that line within two days without Katie finding out,” he recounts. Aruba became the alternative destination, and he successfully altered the lyric to “I never thought I’d fly to an island…” just before their departure. Documenting the entire journey, from ring selection to the proposal itself on GoPro, the footage became the heart of the song’s music video.
Drew Baldridge and Katie smiling together
“In the end, it turned out even better than planned,” Drew shares. “Having that music video, capturing our proposal story for life, something we can show our kids and grandkids one day, is incredibly special.”
Around the same time, in late 2019, the title track from his album, “Middle of Nowhere Kids,” gained traction on country radio. However, unexpectedly, his record label shut down in January 2020, coinciding with the expiration of his publishing contract. This confluence of events led Drew to question his path in country music.
Yet, within the Middle of Nowhere Kids album was a song that would soon resonate far beyond its initial context: “Senior Year.” Inspired by a friend’s daughter’s social media post about starting her senior year in 2018, the song took on a profound new meaning in 2020. Lyrics like … throwing caps up in the air/ Couple tough boys sheddin’ tears/Never thought it’d disappear/Senior year… became an anthem for the graduating Class of 2020, who tragically lost their prom and graduation ceremonies. “Their senior year literally disappeared,” Drew emphasizes.
Since then, “Senior Year” has become a phenomenon. “Just last week, we were charting on Billboard at number 53, completely independent, without a label or team,” Baldridge revealed. “It’s been driven by me reaching out to my radio friends who believe in the song, and kids creating videos and TikToks. It’s been a truly unexpected whirlwind.”
“Senior Year” was a collaborative effort, written with Tim Nichols and Jordan Walker in a mere hour and a half. None of them could have foreseen the circumstances that would make the song so deeply relevant. “I truly believe God gave us that song at that time for this exact moment,” Drew reflects. “Music has such incredible power to make an impact when it arrives at the right time.”
Drew Baldridge performing Senior Year for 2020 Grads
The current mission is to get “Senior Year” heard by as many students as possible. Drew Baldridge has been hosting free Zoom concerts specifically for the Class of 2020. For anyone interested in arranging a virtual concert for their senior class, reaching out via his Facebook page is the way to connect.
Despite currently navigating the music industry without a label or publicist, Drew Baldridge is undeniably thriving. His story serves as a powerful reminder that even in unprecedented times for musicians, with passion, talent, and a little faith, success is unstoppable.
Stay connected with Drew Baldridge and his music journey through his social media channels: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Spotify.
Article by Bethany Bowman, freelance entertainment writer.
