The “Classic Country” sound is making its return at the hands of singer-songwriter Drake Milligan. Drake Milligan, the 26-year-old musician, took part in many different experiences such as playing a young Elvis in CMT’s “Sun Records”, before essentially launching his ongoing success through being a finalist of “America’s Got Talent” season 17. Currently, Milligan is traveling worldwide for the “Jukebox Songs World Tour”, titled after his EP “Jukebox Songs & Barstool Beers”, which started with his appearance joining Cody Johnson’s “The Leather Tour”. Before taking a well deserved tour break, Milligan touched down home at Nashville’s The Basement East for a rocking sold out country show.
To start off the night, fans quickly packed inside to grab some of Milligan’s Basement East autographed posters and secure their spot at the stage. Soon after, opening act Kylie Frey, a fellow “America’s Got Talent” alum brought the energy to the crowd. Frey’s catchy songs such as “Wild Horses” and “One Night In Tulsa” represented that pure country sound that any listener can immediately enjoy hearing live.
With Kylie Frey then introducing Drake Milligan, his incredibly talented band began to take the stage and cue the anticipation for Milligan’s big entrance to “The Fireman” by George Strait. There is truly something for everyone of all ages at a Drake Milligan concert. With covers that inspired Milligan’s career from artists such as Buck Owens, Roy Orbison, and Johnny Cash, or original songs such as “Bad Day To Be a Beer” and “What I Couldn’t Forget”, fans are immersed in a true country music sequence. With a full-band two hour set, the “Jukebox Songs World Tour” was filled with moments that kept the crowd fully entertained and cheering. The setlist showcased a perfect mixture of covers, Milligan’s album/most recent EP, and also some unreleased songs such as “Slow Dancin’ to a Fast Song”. However, this sold out night, and Milligan’s first headlining show in Nashville since 2022, was made special and acknowledged specifically by the fans. During “She”, from Milligan’s album “Dallas/Fort Worth” he took the time to walk back and forth at the barricade, holding all the fan’s hands that he could, and showing his gratitude. Special moments like these show the genuineness of Drake Milligan as an artist, performer, and most importantly human being. His kindness, showmanship, stage presence, and musical talent packs this can’t miss show of the classic country renaissance.
- Kylie Hoover
Photos Courtesy of Kylie Hoover (For Bell Music Magazine)
