Up & Coming Talent: Drew Baldridge

Tired of that

lackluster nine to five job? Don’t

worry...here is some inspiration to

kickstart your dreams.

     We’ve all seen them. These incredibly talented celebrities out there that are living the dream. They get to do what they love...as a career. Who does that?!

     The answer to that question is...everyone should do what they love. But the faith to follow down that path can sometimes be overwhelming. Will you be able to make a solid career and live off of your dream?

      It has been said that everything that you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear. You need to live fearlessly. Easier said than done, am I right?

      But the truth in the matter is that you don’t get anywhere in life without a little courage. The thought of failure, especially at something  you are passionate about, can cause anyone to have a nervous breakdown. I myself was a little worried about starting my writing career. But you power through any turmoil and nay-sayers, because this is what you want to do. And you CAN do it.

      Whether you are a highly sought-after actress like Sarah Michelle Gellar and want to start a baking business known as Foodstirs, or you are a small town girl with dreams of becoming one of the state’s best wedding planners and create a business called Simply Gypsy Events, you should follow your dreams. Maybe you want to start a calligraphy business called Ivory Ink Co., or you are Reese Witherspoon and you want to start your own clothing line named after your grandparents, Draper James. There are numerous examples of people that actually go for what they want, so why shouldn’t you?

       We chatted with some up and coming stars about their journey with doing what they love to do. These artists are forging their own destiny one show at a time. Audience after audience and song after song, they make their way into hearts of new fans everywhere.

       When you think about all of the people they have met and the places they have seen, who wouldn’t want to follow their path. We spend the majority of our adult, and sometimes adolescent years, at work. So why not enjoy what you are doing. We get this one chance on Earth to make the best of our time here. So, go start following your dreams.

Drew Baldridge

 

 

     Just a humble guy from Illinois, Drew Baldridge’s small town charm and flawless dance moves are making his name to be one of the hottest new country artists across the United States.

     His recent single, “Rebound,” featuring Emily Weisband, helped Drew make the list of Macy’s iHeartRadio Rising Stars. And for good reason. Like a young Luke Bryan, he sings ballads from the heart, wins fans over with his infectious smile, and gets them on their feet with his energetic dancing.

      We had the privilege of talking with Drew about his hometown, social media, and his fans. And while we knew he was a great artist, he’s been one of the most genuine and down-to-earth people that we have had the pleasure to chat with, making him a star on our radar.

Improper Adult: What was your first musical experience?

Drew Baldridge: I actually sang all the different languages of goodbye at my first grade Christmas program, which was funny. It was at the end of the show; I still remember the words. It was the first time I ever sang in public. Ciao, Adiós [he sang with a chuckle].

IA: What made you decide to go for music and performing as your career?

DB: I always played sports growing up, and I was going to go on to college and play baseball. My mom took me to a Josh Turner concert when I was eighteen years old. I always loved music, performing, and being in front of people. Ever since I was a young age, I was doing talent shows. I just didn’t think it was something that I could actually do. Because, you know, I’m from a small town of six hundred people. When you’re from a town that small, doing big things like that...it scares you. You don’t think that it is possible.

      So my mom took me to the concert, and that night, after that show, I thought…I’m gonna try this. I’m going to give it a shot. I moved down here at nineteen, to Nashville. I started setting down my roots and meeting people. I was writing songs. It all started right there.

IA: Who is your musical role model?

DB: There are a lot of different people and bands that molded me; that helped me make my way. That Josh Turner concert, of course. But also, I grew up singing southern gospel. There was a group called The Cathedrals, that was a big influence on me. Michael Jackson and Earth, Wind, & Fire were also influences on me; I know that sounds crazy and all over the board, but those are the artists that helped make my music and who I am.
 

IA: What is your favorite thing about performing at different venues and festivals?

DB: My favorite part is seeing the people’s reaction. You get to be in different cities and visit some of the culture; some of the things I didn’t get to experience growing up in small town southern Illinois. Really, though, seeing the people’s reaction when you are on stage, when you have a big part of your show coming up, and they don’t know what is about to hit them. Then you do it and see those people scream and dance. Those people work all week long to pay for that ticket, and maybe even longer than a week. If you are playing a  big festival, sometimes those tickets are really expensive. So we go out there, and put on the best show that we can for them. Watching the people lose themselves in the music, is the coolest thing. When people are not thinking about their everyday work life, and they are out there having a good time, then I know I did my job right.

IA: What do you enjoy most about meet & greets?

DB: You get to say hello and shake their hands; to know who I am making music for. It is one thing to go in and write a song about yourself and stories that you have been through, but when you meet the people that you are making music for and you shake their hand and talk about how the song influenced them, that’s really cool. And seeing them wear your merchandise, you know...seeing how they are so exited to meet you. That is so awesome. I love everything about a meet & greet. I love sitting there, hugging people, shaking their hand, getting to know them. Those people are just as much a part of my story as I am. It is awesome to get to know my fans and who I am making music for.

IA: What is your all-time favorite song, that is not yours?

DB: Probably “Red Dirt Road.” It is a song by Brooks & Dunn. One of the very first country songs to really hit home. I thought, ‘wow, this is really about my life.’ Country music is live. It is a song that, man, I wish I had that song. You could sing it every night, because it is an amazing song.

IA: What was your first thought when you heard one of your songs on the radio for the first time?

DB: The first time I heard one of my songs on the radio, I was actually doing the dishes at my house. I was home alone, by myself; I had no idea it was going to start playing. I had the TV on to Sirus XM Highway, and it started playing. I started screaming. There was nobody home. I just ran up to the TV and took a selfie video of myself listening to the song and freaking out. It was just amazing.

IA: It is unfortunate that you couldn’t share it with anyone though.

DB: Yeah, I know. I wish there was someone there to experience it with. But I have the memory now.

IA: Your song, “Burnt Toast,” was actually the first song that I heard from you when I saw you live. Was that song written for anyone specifically?

DB: Umm, no. There was a girl I was dating at the time that could not cook very well. I had this idea, and we started laughing, it was so funny.

IA: So it just kind of went from there?

DB: It is not the girl that I am dating now. But it is funny, because she does love eating burnt toast. This is a song that I found a situation that I was in, where somebody couldn’t cook. But she didn’t do all of those things. It is a little wrote out, but it is pretty funny when you put all of that together to make that song. I love that song.

IA: What do you like to do for fun that isn’t music related?

DB: I love going back home to southern Illinois. There is just so much of me in my roots there. I get to see my family. I got to go home last week for a week. The water was up, so I got to do a bunch of fishing with my brother. Anytime I get to do some hunting and fishing, and just take my mind off of my music, and get my mind on my family and friends. I get to spend my time out in the country. Even just sitting on a porch...I love doing that. Getting away from the city life, kick back, and take in the signs of God around you.

      Of course, I love to golf too. I am no good at it, but I like getting on the golf course and hitting the ball around. It goes left and right, never straight. But I do love to get out there.

IA: I notice that you are very active with social media, do you think that helps draw in your fanbase?
DB: I think it does. I try to be very active on my social media. Like I said, my fans are just as much a part of this story and musical journey as I am. From day one, I’ve constantly wanted to give them content, so they feel like they are engaged with what I am doing. I make music for them. I try to constantly be on Facebook, having new things for them. Even if it is just a new song: “what do you all think of this?” and “I can’t wait for you to hear it.” I love being interactive with my fans, just like the meet & greets, I like knowing who I am making music for and what’s touched them. I love everything about social media. I love the day and age that we are in right now with music, where I can put a song up...last week I put up a song that I wrote about my grandma. In over forty-eight hours, I had one hundred thousand views on it. You know you couldn’t do that back in the old days without social media. So I love engaging my fans to be a part of it.

IA: Do you have any advice for young artists?

DB: The best advice that I can give them is to just be prepared to work really, really hard. I mean, nothing in this business comes easy. Maybe a handful of people it does for. I moved here in 2011, and almost six years now, I still

am having to work hard every day. When I moved here I thought I had it all figured out. I didn’t. I wasn’t ready as an artist. Find out how hard it is to do music. Start a band and figure out what kind of songs you like, what you want to say as an artist, and what you want to use your voice for. That’s when you start becoming an artist. Figure out your fans and who you make your music for. Always make sure you are satisfying your fans. Because at the end of the day, they are your customer. You need to make sure you are making them happy as well as yourself. Be prepared to work hard, and it can happen.

Drew Baldridge can be found on all digital downloads sites. Find him on Facebook.com/DrewBaldridgeMusic.

www.drewbaldridgemusic.com