At Texas Country Tour, we’re always looking for standout artists who embody the spirit and tradition of Texas country music. Recently, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Drake Milligan, a rising star from the Fort Worth/Mansfield area whose deep-rooted love for music, particularly inspired by Elvis Presley, has propelled him to the forefront of the country music scene. Milligan's journey is a testament to his dedication and passion from his early days attending Mansfield Legacy High School to his debut album "Dallas/Fort Worth" topping the iTunes charts. Join us as we delve into his experiences, inspirations, and aspirations, shedding light on the man behind the music.
Answers have been edited for clarity and brevity.
Editor’s note: The interview was conducted at the 2024 Two Step Inn festival in Georgetown whilst the performance photographs were taken a month later at the 2024 Big as Texas festival in Conroe due to scheduling constraints.
TCT: Can you tell us about yourself?
DM: I'm from the Fort Worth / Mansfield area. I attended Mansfield Legacy High School. I’ve always loved music and Elvis Presley. Elvis was the one idea that changed everything for me. Now I’m out here living my life on the road.
TCT: How many times have you been to Graceland?
DM: I’m not quite sure. I believe the first time was when I was seven years old. We stayed in the Heartbreak Hotel. My family did the whole nine yards, so it was awesome! After that, we’d go back every year for “Elvis Week” during middle and high school. Eventually, I even played Elvis on television. That forced me to go pretty frequently to get into the mindset of Elvis in order to depict him more accurately. I’m guessing “a lot” is a good answer.
TCT: Your debut album, Dallas Fort Worth, debuted at number one on iTunes, a couple of years ago. How has your upbringing in the hometown influenced your music?
DM: A lot. I mean, growing up in Texas, you're surrounded by a ton of great country music. I can think of all the musical roots coming out of Fort Worth. I spent a lot of time in Fort Worth. Roger Miller was a great example of what Fort Worth had to offer for country music. Growing up, my parents were big music fans. My first records I remember having were Silver Wings and Cherokee Maiden. They had absolutely great songs. Also, I always loved growing up and listening to Alan Jackson and George Strait, of course. Music was and has always been my first love. I’m a sucker for the classics.
TCT: You just finished an amazing set here at the Two Step Inn Festival. What is usually going through your mind during the final minutes before a performance?
DM: I'm really just concerned whether I can hear myself or not, but that's the biggest thing. I mean, you're just worried. You're just trying to get everything right and making sure, especially for performances as large as this. We’re just “throwing and going”, meaning we’re checking our sound as we go. We're not one of these big bands that has our own rigs and our own crew. We're at the mercy of whatever venue we show up to. I don’t have to think about how many people I'm about to perform in front of or think about not forgetting the words to my own songs. I just want to put on the best show.
TCT: What is your favorite Texas live music venue to perform in and why?
DM: Oh, Billy Bob's all the way!
No, it’s Billy Bob's for me. I grew up going to Billy Bob's. I got thrown out of Billy Bob's quite a few times when I was in high school. Hopefully, they won’t throw me out now since I’ve played there three times so far.
We played New Year’s Eve this past year. It is always like a hometown show for me. I grew up going there and seeing a lot of the great Texas artists that I love like Pat Green, Aaron Watson and Cody Johnson. My name is now on the wall backstage and it’s pretty cool. My dad's like the mayor there at Billy Bob’s with all his friends. It’s a lot of fun
TCT: Who has always supported you unconventionally and how have they accomplished that?
DM: I think that's both of my parents. I’ve got the best parents in the world. My dad runs a scrapyard and my mom's been a practicing veterinarian for years. They are smart people. They've just supported me every day. My mom used to travel when I was doing the Elvis thing, going all over the country. Neither of my parents ever questioned me. I was a weird kid that wanted to dress up like Elvis, and get on stage and wiggle around. They understood that I was chasing more than just that. I'm chasing crazy dreams by moving to Nashville. I’m definitely appreciative of my parents’ unconditional support.
TCT: Where has your most unusual inspiration for a song come from?
DM: I kind of get it from everywhere. Sometimes it just comes out of the blue. I start by picking up the guitar and mumbling words, eventually, it just comes out Um, I picked up a song. I remember I picked up a song title that I loved from a rodeo clown one time. I wrote that song with Liz Robes and Brandon Hood called “Best Man for the Job”, saying the best man for the job was a woman. Inspiration kind of comes from everywhere. I kind of always got my ears on.
TCT: Regarding your performance career, what's on your bucket list you haven't crossed off yet, and why do you want to do it?
DM: It's the Houston Rodeo for me. My extended family is from Houston and we’d go down there to visit with them and see the rodeo when I was a kid. That was a huge set of memories for me. That was when the rodeo was in the Astrodome. Playing the Houston Rodeo is definitely on my bucket list.
TCT: What are you hoping to add to the country music genre?
DM: I gravitate towards classic country music because these songs are timeless. These timeless songs will never go away. That's what I'm actually searching for. I want to create music that I genuinely want to hear. I want to hear some classic songs out on the radio. That's always what I'm striving for. I want to write songs that should have been written already. That's what keeps me really going by being my North Star is just to aim for. I’m not saying I’ve reached that by any means, but that has always been my goal.
Drake Milligan's story is one of unwavering support from his family, a profound connection to his Texas roots, and an unyielding pursuit of timeless country music. Whether reminiscing about his early visits to Graceland, performing at iconic venues like Billy Bob’s, or dreaming of playing at the Houston Rodeo, Milligan’s journey is marked by a deep appreciation for the genre's history and a desire to contribute to its future.
As he continues to chase his dreams and create music that resonates with authenticity and heart, we look forward to witnessing the next chapters in his promising career. For fans of classic country and those new to the scene, Drake Milligan is a name to watch.
You can connect with Drake on social media via Instagram at @DrakeMilligan. Also, check out his website to catch a performance near you and purchase some awesome merchandise from his store.
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