Drew Baldridge is making his way to the top… his own way.
The Country artist has been out and about pursuing his dreams for the last 13 years in Music City, and all of the sacrifices he’s made are finally paying off thanks to an achievement that no self-funded artist before him has done.
In August, Baldridge hit No. 1 on the Country Aircheck/Mediabase chart and No. 3 on the Billboard Country Airplay Chart with his hit song “She’s Somebody’s Daughter,” surpassing the mark Aaron Watson held since 2017.
“I’m overwhelmed and incredibly honored that ‘She’s Somebody’s Daughter’ has reached No. 1. on country radio,” said Baldridge in a statement back in August. “I wrote this song six years ago and though I always dreamed we would get to this point, it felt so far away. In my heart, I knew ‘Daughter’ was special, and just needed the right team to help me share it with country radio and fans everywhere. I am so thankful to everyone who has supported me and believed in me over the years. This is truly the best day.”
Last month, Drew teamed up with BMI to transform the music distributor’s Nashville rooftop into a backyard barbecue to celebrate the groundbreaking moment. Hosted by BMI and emceed by BMI’s MaryAnn Keen, Baldridge was joined by BMI award-winning co-writers Cameron Jaymes and Jimmy Yeary along with producer Nick Schwarz to reflect on his career path from playing backyard gigs to joining Cody Johnson for his first-ever stadium tour next year with friends, family and industry professionals.
“It’s been wild,” Drew tells Celeb Secrets host Juliet Schroder of the important moment in his career.
While the 13-year journey hasn’t always been smooth, Drew has always believed he can achieve his dreams. According to the crooner, “She’s Somebody’s Daughter” was written for his wife to dance with her father on their wedding day. He lost his record deal in 2019 due to the closure of his label Cold River, with no guarantee that he would ever achieve the success his did when he working with an accredited team.
“I didn’t think there was any chance for me to be to be on the radio again. I met with almost ever label in Nashville and they all turned me down or the Nashville ‘no text back,'” Drew recalls to us.
Taking things into his own hands, the Illinois native created his own record label and sent the track to County Radio by himself. He hired his own staff and let the song and its impactful message do its thing.
“I don’t want to look back 30 years and say why didn’t I try… I’m a new dad, I’m finally starting to make money. I’m not a broke musician,” he explains. “We sent it to radio and it was so special.”
To date, the RIAA certified-GOLD song has also broken through on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and made history on Billboard Country Airplay by becoming the first self-released song in the chart’s 34-year history to reach the Top 5. Additionally, it has amassed over 1.1B streams across streaming and social media platforms.
And while all the accolades are a huge deal, Drew is just happy that his journey gives independent artists a voice that they may not have had in previous years.
“Getting a No. 1 shows independent artists don’t give up. You can do this no matter how hard the road is. I was in Nashville for 13 years with no hits, and now we have one. We just didn’t give up, and I think that’s for every independent artist out there,” Drew says with a smile.
If you have a song, you believe in it, don’t give up. If you have a message and you have something you want to say, don’t give up. Keep going,” he continues.
Since celebrating his first No. 1, Drew has been releasing even more soon-to-be hits while out and about using the platform he has to give back to the community. Recently, the country crooner made his way to Memphis, Tenn. for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s 35th Country Cares Seminar to meet with cancer patients and help raise funds to end childhood cancer with artists like Randy Owen, Old Dominion, Megan Moroney and special guest Brad Paisley.
“This is eye-opening,” Drew said of his time on campus during the red carpet ahead of the Angels Among Us Dinner. “What St. Jude does here is absolutely incredible. I have an almost two-year-old little baby boy, and this hits hard.”
“I think as a dad, you’re always worried that if you go through this, going to deal with people that aren’t warm or not welcoming. These kids are going through the fight of their life, and to know that their favorite part is the people and how good they are to them is such a blessing. It’s a very special place,” he continues.
On October 25, Drew teamed up with Stoney Creek Records in partnership with his own label, Lyric Ridge Records, to release his new single “Tough People.”
Produced by Nick Schwarz, “Tough People” was co-written by Baldridge, Adam Sanders, Jordan Walker, and Luke Combs. The lyrics convey a powerful message, which Baldridge holds close to his heart as he has navigated his own challenges over the past four years to achieve his personal and professional dreams.
And this week, he celebrated yet another significant milestone, as the song has earned the number one most-added song accolade at Country Radio this week.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better reception from radio to ‘Tough People,’” said Baldridge. “I am so thankful they love it as much as I do, and I’m excited for fans to hear it.”
For more on Drew’s music, watch our full interview below.
