Drake Milligan is a rising force to be reckoned with in country music. Currently on his “Jukebox Songs World Tour”, the singer-songwriter has been making moves across the pond this year such as playing Country to Country Fest in Belfast, Glasgow, and London. Now, he’s finishing out his tour in the United States. Ahead of Milligan’s Nashville show at the Basement East on October 25th, our founder, Kylie Hoover, had the opportunity to ask him some questions about his journey, musical identity, and life outside of music.
K: For those of our readers who aren’t familiar with you, could you briefly introduce yourself and your journey through country music?
D: Hey y’all, I’m Drake Milligan! I grew up in Texas, surrounded by country music from an early age. As a 17 year old I performed on the hit show, Sun Records, and then made the big move to Nashville. My journey’s been a wild ride—starting out playing small gigs, I eventually decided to compete on America’s Got Talent, where I was a finalist on Season 17. Since then, it’s been all about finding my sound and sharing the stories that matter to me.
K: What song of yours would you tell a new listener to hear first and why?
D: If you’re new to my music, I’d say kick things off with either “I Got A Problem” or “Sounds Like Something I’d Do.” Both really capture my own unique sound of mixing traditional Country with a bit of modern flair. The melodies just really stick with you!
K: Your most recent EP, “Jukebox Songs”, came out earlier this year. What was the artistic imagery you wanted to convey in that record compared to your previous album “Dallas/Fort Worth”?
D: With “Jukebox Songs,” I wanted to capture that classic feel while bringing some fresh stories to the table. Compared to “Dallas/Fort Worth,” this EP dives deeper into those nostalgic moments we all share, both melodically and lyrically.
K: How do you stay true to traditional country roots while still attracting modern listeners and dealing with the “trendy” aspect of the music industry?
D: I try to make sure my music has a balance of both traditional sounds that we all know and love while also providing a touch of this newer generation of Country music. I love the classics, but I also embrace what’s happening now.
K: You’re very much an acclaimed writer as well, do you plan on writing more for other artists as you evolve in your career, or maybe even writing in different genres besides country?
D: I absolutely enjoy writing for other artists. I had the opportunity to write with John Pierce and Randy Montana on Riley Green’s “Torn,” which was just released last week. For now, I think I’ll be sticking to country music, but there are so many different styles within the genre that I want to explore in both my writing and performing.
K: For your EP “Jukebox Songs” the music videos follow the storyline of a short film. When did you conceive of the stories for the film and did that help determine the order of the songs?
D: The music videos are a fun way to bring my songs to life! I usually have a vision for the story when I’m writing, but sometimes it evolves during the process. It’s like creating a little movie that wraps around the music.
K: Recently you’ve been touring throughout Europe on your “Jukebox Songs World Tour”. How do you view your role/the appeal of traditional country music in today’s landscape worldwide? Do you find it as prominent as here in the states?
D: Touring in Europe has been a blast! I was pleasantly surprised as to how many Country music fans there are in Europe. Having the audiences sing my lyrics back to me was not something I expected from those crowds, but they really know their stuff!
K: This upcoming Nashville show at The Basement East is one of your lasts of the tour for a few weeks. Do you have any favorite past time activities to do on breaks that you typically don’t have time for when touring?
D: When I’m not on the road, I spend a lot of time in writing sessions, but I also enjoy catching up on some fishing or hanging out with family and friends. It’s nice to slow down and appreciate the simple things, especially after being on the road for a while.
K: Speaking of Nashville, what’s your favorite concert that you’ve attended in music city, as a fan?
D: When I first moved to Nashville, I went to see Travis Tritt perform acoustically at the CMA Theater. It was just him and his guitar, telling stories. I loved it! While I’ve seen many great shows since, that experience really stands out. The energy in the room was incredible, and it inspires me to keep pushing forward in my own music.
If you're looking to check out more of Drake Milligan and his music, you can find his links HERE. In addition, be sure to check out our coverage of his Nashville show on the "Jukebox Songs World Tour" at The Basement East coming soon.
