Tennessee Native, Drew Green has harnessed 14 million streams of his song, “She Got That” on Spotify alone. He has been a vital writer in Nashville behind the lyrics he has written for other big name artists such as Florida Georgia Line.
Now Green is making a name for himself as a profound lyricist and singer. With his EP, Dirt Boy Vol. 2 getting ready for release we sat down with Drew to discuss who he played his very first song for, his new single, “Cold Beer and Copenhagen”, and how it feels when other artists record his songs.
Courtesy of Drew Green || Matthew Berinato
BC: Was there a specific moment you knew you wanted to be an artist?
DG: “When I was about 12-years-old, I was always listening and singing to the radio. Having music constantly around me was how I first got the dream to do music.”
BC: What is your background with music?
DG: “My father was the one that gave me the introduction to music. He always had a Sammy Kershaw or Alan Jackson tape in the deck of his work truck.”
BC: Do you remember the first time you wrote a song, what was it about?
DG: “The first song I wrote was in the ninth grade. I can’t quite remember, but it was for a girl I was seeing or trying to see. It all worked out, though” Drew laughs. “I ended up playing the song I mentioned earlier first, for the girl I wrote it for.” Drew says when asked who he played his first song for.
Courtesy of Drew Green
BC: What does the genre of country music mean to you as an artist?
DG: “Country music has always been about country lyrics in my lifetime. So to me, it’s country words in songs that make it country.”
BC: You recently released your song, “Cold Beer and Copenhagen” what can you tell us about that song?
DG: “It’s my favorite song I've put out so far. I love playing it so much. One day me and some co-writers wrote 9 songs in one day which is my record. “Cold Beer and Copenhagen” was song 7. We knew we wrote a good one that day with that one.
BC: What is your favorite line from the song?
DG: “My favorite line is “hiding two from my mama and 1 from my friends,” which kind of means hiding alcohol and tobacco from mama and hiding the girl from friends.”
BC: You recently just wrote the song, “Colorado” for Florida Georgia Line’s new album, what can you tell us about that?
DG: “I had that idea for about a year and one afternoon after a few different writes, I pitched it to Hardy and Hunter (Phelps) and we went to Hunter's place and knocked it out. It was a special moment and I owe a lot of where I am to Hunter and Hardy.
BC: How does it feel when another artist or in this case a duo record your song(s)?
DG: “FGL is one of the biggest country acts and one of my favorites. It was my first cut as a writer so I was shocked and it really started a fire in my career. It led to a publishing deal and soon after a record deal.”
BC: Your song, “She Got That” has 14 million streams on Spotify alone, how does that make you feel?
DG: “My first year goal for myself was a million total ha! We beat it and of course it feels like you think it would. I love making music, someone else liking what I make is always a plus!”
BC: What can you tell us about your new EP, “Dirt Boy Vol. 2”
DG: “Vol. 2 is a party and I can’t wait for y’all to hear it. We’ve put a lot of work into it and really think it’s a good representation as to what a dirt boy is and where I come from.
BC: Can you tell us your favorite song from the EP is?
DG: “ “Cold Beer and Copenhagen.” It was just a special write and it stands out to me lyrically and melodically.”
BC: What is your ultimate dream as an artist?
DG: “To sell out an area tour being the headliner.”
BC: For a dream headlining tour of yours, what do you want from it? (Supporting acts, a visual tour, any particular venue you would like to play? Etc)
DG: “PYRO…lots of PYRO, Miller Lite and that should do it! Ha! Nissan Stadium, Neyland Stadium, Bridgestone Arena. That’s about as high as you can go besides heaven I guess in my book. I know there’s bigger and better places out there but not to me.”
BC: If you could say one thing to the entire world right now and everyone would listen, what would you say?
DG: “Listen to Dirt Boy Vol 2. once,” Green laughs, “That’s a hard question, but for me personally, it would be to accept Jesus in your hearts. That’s a lot of saved people right there!”