Canadian country artist Drew Gregory is back with a new sing. We had the chance to catch up with Drew to talk about his release, “Beer With Anyone”.
Canadian country singer and Alberta native, Drew Gregory’s latest single “Beer With Anyone” is out today and available on all streaming services.
We had the opportunity to catch up with Gregory to chat about his country roots, inspiration, and of course, the new track.
Before we get to the interview, be sure to stream “Beer With Anyone” on Apple Music and Spotify.
Stream “Beer With Anyone” By Drew Gregory
An Interview With Country Artist Drew Gregory
Front Porch: Let’s start with an introduction of yourself to readers at the Front Porch. What would you like everyone to know about you and your Canadian roots?
Drew Gregory: Thanks for having me! I was born and raised in the small farming community of Standard, Alberta.
Apart from music I still work on the family farm (fifth generation). Growing up on the farm gave me a lot of time to sing along to the radio in the tractor and develop a real love of music. Both parents were also real music lovers so there was always something playing in our house.
I picked up my first guitar at fifteen and couldn’t put it down. My mom grew up in Prince Edward Island so I think a lot of the love for performing and for music in general came from going down there and seeing everyone gather around Grampa and his guitar for the kitchen parties.
After getting into songwriting I finally took my first trip to Nashville in 2009 and kicked off my career as an artist. I’ve put out 5 albums since and feel very fortunate to be able to continue to do this as a living!
Front Porch: You’re releasing your newest single, “Beer With Anyone” on January 8th. What can we expect from this release?
Drew Gregory: Any song that rings this true to my own personal beliefs is always going to be special to me. I love chatting with people just about as much as I love being on stage.
I was trying to figure out how to cut and record this song and this pandemic provided us with an opportunity to cut some of my more rootsy material. My crew and I spent a long weekend camped out at a barn about an hour east of Calgary. We brought a bunch of instruments and recording equipment and some beer and just let the tapes roll as we created!
There’s a lot of heart behind this song and all the other songs on this EP(coming later in the year). We were all really missing each other and the music at the time we recorded it and I think you can really hear how into it everyone was!
I’m so happy with how it all turned out!
Front Porch: Tell us about your sound and who you grew up listening to that influenced the direction of your music.
Drew Gregory: I grew up on a lot of Classic Rock and Southern Rock specifically. I’ve always been drawn to the stuff that could ride that line between Country and Rock and Roll.
I think artists like Steve Earle and Lynyrd Skynyrd and John Mellencamp and the Eagles always did this well and that’s a lot of what we listened to growing up.
We also grew up in the 90’s when Country was everywhere especially in rural Alberta. So when I started songwriting, the country lyrics came out naturally as that’s what I knew. But I’ve always tried to keep a little of that edge to it.
Front Porch: Share a little bit about your creative process. Where do you look for songwriting inspiration?
Drew Gregory: Songwriting for me has always needed to be pulled from personal experience.
I’ve always struggled with writing other people’s stories. Whenever I think anything interesting happens in my life I try to think to myself, how can I turn this into a song now? Then I’ll write down a few lines or a title and then I like to take it to cowriters.
I feel lucky to have a lot of great cowriters that can take my experiences and some of their own and really turn the songs into something others can relate to!
Front Porch: What are the top tracks you’re currently listening to?
Drew Gregory: I think there’s some great new artists that are riding that line between country and rock and roll.
The Cadillac Three and Ashley McBride are keeping it pretty heavy. I love that there’s a bit of a new age Honky Tonk coming back as well with guys like Luke Combs, John Pardi and Midland all keeping that edge alive!
I listened to a lot of Tyler Childers for inspiration for the new EP so I love the rootsy stuff too.
I’m kind of all over the place!
Front Porch: What is your biggest piece of advice for young artists looking to make their way in country music in Canada?
Drew Gregory: Make sure you stay in love with the music.
It can take a long time to climb the ladder in the music business and the business can definitely turn you sour at times. You really have to love the music you are making so you can really enjoy the whole process.
I’ve always had goals and I always will. I think goals are great to have but it can’t be the only thing you concentrate on. If you can keep the love for the music alive and realize how much you’re enjoying the journey on your way to those goals you will be much happier!
Plus much more likely to be inspired and have the energy to keep going.
Front Porch: Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Drew Gregory: I’d like to thank everybody that supported me and especially through a difficult year of not having any live music. I’m so thankful for the technology that we have and to have been able keep up with everyone online and even connect with some new fans.
I look forward to putting out this acoustic project and then getting back in the studio to record more commercial music, and getting back out on the road as soon as we can!!
Front Porch: Thanks so much! You can connect with Drew Gregory on Youtube, Instagram and Twitter.
In country music, the Front Porch has long been a place of reflection. A place where you can look at the life you have inside that front door. A place where time almost seems to stand still, where you can get away. It’s also a place where you can go to observe the world as it passes by you. To think about your place out there beyond the driveway.
