Drake Milligan | KYGO Performance…
Drake Milligan’s journey from reality TV to country music stardom has been shaped by key performances and a deep connection to his musical heroes. Born in Arlington, Texas, and raised in Fort Worth, the 26-year-old singer-songwriter cites country legends like Merle Haggard, George Strait, Marty Robbins, and George Jones as his main influences. However, it was Elvis Presley who had the greatest impact on him at the age of seven, inspiring Milligan to pursue a career in entertainment.
Milligan’s early fascination with Elvis led him to try his hand as an Elvis impersonator in high school. His portrayal was so convincing that he was cast to play a young Elvis in the film Nobody, set in 1953 Memphis, which focused on Presley’s early career. This performance led to another role as Elvis in CMT’s 2017 miniseries Sun Records, which chronicled the birth of rock ‘n’ roll at the iconic Sun Records studio.
Despite these early acting roles, Milligan’s heart was in music. In 2018, he auditioned for American Idol and won a Platinum Ticket from judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie. However, Milligan decided to step away from the show, feeling that he lacked the experience needed to fully succeed as an artist at just 19 years old.
Following his exit from American Idol, Milligan relocated to Nashville, where he immersed himself in songwriting and live performances. His hard work paid off when he signed a recording contract with BBR Music Group and released his self-titled debut EP in 2021. The next year, Milligan returned to the spotlight on America’s Got Talent, performing his original song “Sounds Like Something I’d Do.” His performance earned unanimous praise from the judges, and he finished third in the competition.
Milligan’s post-AGT career has flourished. He released his debut album, Dallas/Fort Worth, in 2022, showcasing the duality of his country roots. In 2023, he followed up with two singles, “Honky Tonkin’ About” featuring The Reklaws, and “I Got A Problem,” the latter of which climbed to number 62 on the Billboard Top 100. His latest release, a second EP titled Jukebox Songs, came out in February 2024.
Milligan recently performed at KYGO’s Performance Studio, delivering songs like “Over Drinkin’ Under Thinkin,’” Marty Robbins’ “Devil Woman,” and “I Got A Problem,” solidifying his place in the country music scene.
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