As every graduate seeks a new career path, Drew sought his by attending SAIT and obtaining a degree in Geomatics. Spending a year surveying in the field, he quickly realized this was not the correct career choice for him. In search of his future, he set off on a backing adventure to Australia. Upon returning to his native homeland on the farm, Drew realized the pursuit of a music career and staying true to his roots, was where his heart lay. With his path laid out, Drew immediately began honing his songwriting skills and developing his vocals. His sister, Natalie, secured a position with a local recording studio and it was inevitable that some recording would develop. The first recording of his songs would be a gift to his mom for Christmas, which rather quickly spread amongst his friends, all of them asking for a CD.
Without hesitation, Drew packed some clothes and guitar and headed to Nashville. Being from a small town, it was unknown what would be in store upon his arrival. Arriving in a city where no one knew him became a humbling experience. Living in hostels, Drew immediately made many new friends, songwriters and industry connections. Through this whole experience, he gained a greater appreciation for the music business and continues to spend winters continually connecting and writing in Nashville.
Drew's time in Nashville eventually lead to the recording of his debut album “Country Hurricane”. This album became a must have CD in his hometown and in the surrounding areas. In 2010 he secured a spot as a finalist in the Lammles/Country 105 Rising Star contest. Drew found himself center stage for the Best original song with the title track “Country Hurricane”. The desire to give his fans more, a fun summer party 4 song EP came to light, “My Drunk Friends”, along with a video for the song “Gonna Get Drunk”.
In 2011, Drew sought guidance to further his career, signing a management/development deal with Sirroma Entertainment. With a strategic plan now in effect, Drew headed to the studio to re-record three songs which would become radio singles. He released his debut single “Lay It All Out There” to Canadian radio in early January 2012, experiencing the exhilaration of three weeks charting in the top 90. With this inspirational song, Drew was honored to be a guest speaker at the local high school graduation, encouraging graduates to “Lay It All Out There”. Following this single was an all time fan favorite “Country Hurricane” in April 2012 and “Small Town Way” in August 2012. In light of CMT's Big in a Small Town contest, it seemed fitting to enter with the single “Small Town Way”. Finding himself among the top 30 finalists, Drew gained national exposure with the program, watched by over 2.7 million viewers, performing his debut single “Lay It All Out There”.
Kicking off into 2013, Drew was honored to be among many talented Alberta artists on the ballot for Male Artist at the ACMA banquet. There, it was announced that he had made the top five nominees. With his career maneuvering in a cogent manner, Drew welcomed Katt Stearns to the team for her expertise with social media and marketing.
Pre-production began on his sophomore album “The Way I Was Raised”, at Insomnia Studios in Nashville under the guidance of long time friend and producer, Aaron Goodvin and the incredible Eddie Gore. The energy started with Drew's own role as a prolific songwriter, continuing throughout the recording sessions alongside Johnny Gasparic as engineer and co-producer at MCC Recordings in Calgary, AB. Together they brought excitement to each of the 12 songs on the album. The first single out to radio in February 2013, was entitled titled “Truck. Beer. Girl.”, It has enjoyed the success of charting within the top 100. Drew's penmanship shines through on six of the twelve tracks, with a host of respected writers on the remaining songs. Drew Gregory carries the great tradition of edgy country music and is ready to shake up Canadian Country by delivering the “goods” with this album and live performances.
Drew continues to look forward to connecting with his many followers and friends he's made along the way while continuing to work on the family farm. With his two passions in life at full swing, this rising star couldn't be happier. Keep an eye out for Drew Gregory and his band, The Hired Guns, for a charismatic and edgy stage performance coming your way!
I Was There
Drew Gregory Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Drew Gregory's song "I Was There" is a nostalgic journey back to the small-town life lived in the good old days. The singer is transported back in time when he hears "Sweet Emotion" playing on the radio of a rundown Texaco. The music takes him back to a typical Friday night spent with his buddies in an oil patch parking lot. They would cruise around in their Black Trans Am with T Tops, wearing old blue jeans that had holes in the knees, hoping to impress the small town girls. The lyrics paint a picture of a life that was simple, fun, and full of guitars and gasoline.
The sweet melody of "Sweet Emotion" reminds the singer of his younger self, a time when he thought being young meant he could do anything and that his life was full of possibilities. The lyrics speak of the innocence of youth, the endless summer days, and the reckless abandon that came with it. Listening to the song takes the singer back in time, a trip down memory lane that fills the singer with a sense of longing and nostalgia.
Overall, "I Was There" is an evocative, emotional, and nostalgic song that reminds us of the joy of youth and the beauty of small-town life. The song shows us that while life may change, memories will always stay with us, taking us back in time whenever we hear a familiar song or smell a familiar scent.
Line by Line Meaning
The FM Radio in that rundown Texaco
The radio playing in the Texaco gas station caught my attention
Kicked right into the beginning of Sweet Emotion
The radio station played the beginning of the song 'Sweet Emotion' as I was listening
Standin' there with a case of beer staring through that cashier
I was standing in front of the cashier with a case of beer, lost in my own thoughts
For a second I was somewhere caught up in a moment, and I was goin'
I was briefly transported to a specific memory and felt a rush of emotions
To a Friday night oil patch parking lot - Black Trans Am with T Tops
I was reminded of a previous moment in my life where I was at an oil patch parking lot with my friends, admiring a black Trans Am with T Tops
Couple small town buddies just doin' our best to get small town girls to care
My friends and I were trying to impress the girls from our small town
Holes in the knees of our old blue jeans
Our blue jeans had holes in the knees from wearing them so often
When life was guitars and gasoline
We were young and carefree, focusing on the simple pleasures of playing music and driving around
Back when we thought being young wasn't goin' anywhere
We believed that our youth would last forever and we had all the time in the world to enjoy it
I was there I was there
I was present and fully immersed in that past memory
Just as sure as I'm standin' here
The memory is just as real to me now as my current surroundings
Man what a flashback to a Marlboro soft pack
I was reminded of smoking Marlboro cigarettes when I was younger
Smart ass mouths and hair trigger middle fingers
We were sassy and quick to react back then
Summertime side jobs to blow it all at the quickstop
We took on odd jobs during the summer to make enough money to spend at the quickstop convenience store
It's funny how a melody and lespaul strings can drive my memory
It's interesting how a particular melody and type of guitar can trigger a specific memory for me
Come on DJ one more spin - take me there again
I'm asking the DJ to play the song again so that I can relive that memory
In the house in the truck
I remember listening to this song both in the house and in a truck
Crankin' it up when it comes on - man I'm gone
Every time this song comes on, I turn up the volume and let myself get lost in the memories
Back to when we thought being young wasn't goin' anywhere
I am transported back to a time in my life when I believed that youth would last forever
I was there I was there
I fully experienced that memory and it remains with me today
Just as sure as I'm standin' here
The memory is just as real to me as my present surroundings
The FM radio in that rundown Texaco
The radio station at that gas station was the trigger for this memory
Pulled me in from the beginning of Sweet Emotion
The start of the song 'Sweet Emotion' grabbed my attention and caused me to remember a specific moment in my past
Lyrics © OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@forevrimperfect8542
i love it!!!
@MDCMediaServices
Thanks Drew once again for allowing me to work with you. Love the song. Sending you many many blessings your way dear. You deserve it.
@lesterb1000
Old style country