Banker Turned Songwriter & Country Artist – Meet Drew Green [2022]
He had a lucrative career as a banker and was offered a promotion when he gave it all up to pursue country music songwriting in Nashville. He has written songs for Florida Georgia Line, Connor Smith, Elvie Shane and more and this past year was on tour with Mitchell Tenpenny. His latest song, “Good Ol Man” is a heartwarming song about being the best father and husband he can be for his family.
Sue Bonzell:
He’s written songs for Florida Georgia Line, Connor Smith, and Elvie Shane. He just toured with Mitchell Tenpenny, and he has a new song of his own out. I am super excited, Drew Green is with us. Hey, Drew.
Drew Green:
Hey, hey [inaudible 00:00:14].
Sue Bonzell:
Hey. Oh my gosh, we have so much to talk about.
Drew Green:
How you doing?
Sue Bonzell:
There’s so much going on. Let’s see. So number one, you were just on a tour with Mitchell Tenpenny, tell us about that. I love Mitchell Tenpenny.
Drew Green:
It was amazing. It was my first tour as a signed artist, my first tour out with anyone ever really. I’ve done some honky-tonk stuff throughout the years but it was my first big stage, big sound, thousands of people. It was insane. It was the dream. That’s what you chase for sure.
Sue Bonzell:
I can imagine the adrenaline.
Drew Green:
Mitchell’s such a great guy too. I mean, he’s a Tennessee boy. And I know there was a lot of people trying to get that gig and I was just really shocked and floored that I got to be … Got to do that. I’ve never been north of Kentucky, to be honest, so it was just going to see New York City, Michigan, Columbus, and New Jersey. Going to see all these places I’ve never been to was really a good experience for me.
Sue Bonzell:
That is so cool. Congratulations on that. Like you said, you just were signed. Okay, so you’ve been around country music for a while. You’ve been writing for years and years so you’re well known in country music out here. Tell me a little bit about going from being a songwriter for others to being now your own artist and out touring and all of that.
Drew Green:
It’s not much difference to me personally I feel like. Every day I just try to write the best song possible. I’m not writing for anybody really, not even myself. I’m just trying to write the best song that day with whoever I’m with. And it’s turned out to be just a really cool experience getting to pitch songs to somebody. I was trying to get cuts and now I’m sitting here like well, what am I going to cut? And been writing for six or seven years every day and it’s you have so many songs and they’re all my little babies and so it’s really … That’s the hardest part is picking songs to put out for everybody as Drew Green. But it’s awesome. I’m still getting cuts. Now, I just got a close some deal cuts so I’m really … I’m still trying to get more cuts. I mean, songwriting is my passion through and through. I wouldn’t be sitting here talking to you if it wasn’t for songwriting for sure.
Sue Bonzell:
So does anybody pitch you songs now?
Drew Green:
As a matter of fact, last week was my first pitch meeting I’ve ever had and it was super awesome. I loved it. It was five hours of me just listening to all the publishers in town showing me some songs and I put a couple on hold too so I’ll be cutting some songs I didn’t write.
Sue Bonzell:
Awesome. Okay, good. So are there plans for an album coming out? Let’s talk about the new song, Good Ol’ Boy.
Drew Green:
Good Ol’ Man.
Sue Bonzell:
Good Ol’ Man, that’s it, not a good old boy. Good Ol’ Man. I love this song. Tell us about writing this song and what it means to you?
Drew Green:
Well, I was new to being a dad. My son, Levi was one years old and I was playing at Tootsie’s at the time, I was unsigned. I had a publishing deal but I was unsigned and I was … I’d been at Tootsie’s for three years and just playing four nights a week. Writing every day five days a week, playing four nights a week from 10 until three in the morning, and coming home. And my son was one and I was just under the feeling of man, I got to get my act together, I got to get this train rolling. I’ve been doing this about five years. I gave myself a five-year window to have any music success at all. I was four years and 11 months before I got my first Florida Georgia Line cut thank God.
And my son was one and I had this idea, and me and my buddy, Lee Star were writing a song and we said that line a good ol’ boy trying to be a good ol’ man, and we both lit up and we’re like that’s the whole song by itself. I had to write the next day with Josh Miller and Mark Trussell, my producer, so we all sat down and it just fell out so fast. Mark started playing that riff and it just felt so good from the start. As a matter of fact, the actual track that you listened to that we put out is just the day of demo. We didn’t change. We added some stuff, I didn’t change one vocal it didn’t change anything. It’s just the day of which is really rare for most. I mean, really just I sang it a couple times and that was the demo and we just … It felt so right and perfect that it turned in to be the real thing.
Sue Bonzell:
That is so cool. And on the video, now, is that your son in the video?
Drew Green:
It is, it is. Levi did so good. He’s a little actor.
Sue Bonzell:
He’s so cute. He’s got a future.
Drew Green:
It was a cool experience. It was really awesome and he did so good. And it was a beautiful day and we got a really cool truck like a ’76 Silverado. And it was just a really good day and a memory that I’ll always remember for sure.
Sue Bonzell:
Oh, absolutely. That’s really neat to be able to do that with your son too. What a memory for him and for you, so that’s really cool.
Drew Green:
For sure.
Sue Bonzell:
I love that. Okay. You’re blowing up on TikTok and socials. What have we got here? 13 million total views of that song Good Ol’ Man, of all your posts for that song so that’s insane.
Drew Green:
It’s crazy.
Sue Bonzell:
Let’s see, what else do we have here? Your other song, She Got That, love that song. 17 million streams on Spotify, 700,000 monthly listeners, and 25 million global streams. This is pretty cool.
Drew Green:
It’s definitely life-changing and felt like it happened pretty quick for how long I’ve been doing it. The TikTok thing is really mind-blowing to me. When I signed my record deal I had 1,000 followers on Facebook and Instagram I think.
Sue Bonzell:
Wow.
Drew Green:
I feel like someone-
Sue Bonzell:
And was just last year, right?
Drew Green:
Yes, ma’am. And I feel like somebody handed me a phone and said, Here, go get famous TikTok.” And I’m like, “Well, nobody wants to see me dance that’s for sure. Nobody wants to see me dance.” That’s what I thought TikTok was, was just dancing. And after I learned what TikTok really is, I fell in love with it, I think it’s awesome. It’s a little more raw that I’m used to but I was like what am I going to do? And so I just was like well, I got to sing because that’s my job. And I was like so I’m just going to put out a video of me singing in my truck, that’s where I sing. And we put out one called The Rest of Our Lives and it was a wedding song, and that was the first one that really took off and got me started.
And then Good Ol’ Man was just literally 12 hours six million. Just insane life-changing for me for sure and it’s been … It’s really cool to see all the messages of people that really relate to it. In 24 hours thousands of people had already used my vocal and shot their kids in their car so it’s really cool to see people really getting into it and loving the song because it is what it is. It’s a song about trying to be a better dad really.
Sue Bonzell:
It is very relatable I think. And it’s like the Elvie Shane song. He’s got one that’s similar too. It’s the same thing, it really speaks to people.
Drew Green:
Oh, Elvie’s my buddy.
Sue Bonzell:
I know, right. You guys are buddies and so you’ve probably written with him. I love those stories, I love how you’re connecting. And like you said, the TikTok being real and raw, and authentic, and I think that’s what people want to see. They want to know who you are too.
Drew Green:
It’s definitely in today. 10 years ago that was not the thing. It was all material. It’s so crazy being 12 years old dreaming about being a country music artist and what was going to happen. It’s not at all what I thought was going to happen but I’m a dad too and I still love it so I’m happy to be here.
Sue Bonzell:
So tell us about how you started in country music. Because you started and then you … Were you just fiddling around with it a little bit? And then what happened that got you to Tootsie’s?
Drew Green:
Well, I’ve always loved country music. I grew up on a tree farm singing on a tractor, that’s where I really fell in love with country music. I started playing in college at some local bars, college bars. And I was the only country act in town singing any country stuff at all. I did some rock stuff too but mostly just country. And I was the only country act and I started gaining a pretty good following and I was like, “Well, I can maybe do this. I could maybe put out a little project,” because I had a good following coming out to all these shows. And so I started writing a whole lot and I fell in love with it. And I was just writing by myself but I met this guy who gave me an opportunity to come play downtown and I went down. I started playing at Tootsie’s and I met a guy named Hunter Phelps who’s a huge songwriter. Now, one of my best friends. My first co-write ever. I just fell into the right click pretty quick.
And I worked like crazy writing all the time, was obsessed, way too obsessed with writing songs. Just writing two songs a day until 11 at night. I can’t believe my wife didn’t leave me, I have no idea. She was great. I was writing like crazy. But like I said, the luck of me falling into a good crew who was working hard. Hunter Phelps, HARDY, all … That whole crew of guys that are just writing all the time. We were all just learning, growing up together and as songwriters, and just loving country music. And that’s really how I got in. And that’s really how I got in. My Florida Georgia Line cut was really what set me into the music row side of things. It got me a publishing deal which led to my publisher, wanted to be my manager, which got me a record deal which ended up here talking to you.
Sue Bonzell:
And here we are. I mean, I think it’s really cool. The songwriters, I love seeing you guys all collaborate. And you mentioned HARDY. I mean, he’s an incredible songwriter. Songwriter of the Year.
Drew Green:
I mean, he’s great.
Sue Bonzell:
At the ACMs I’m like okay, this guy’s pretty great.
Drew Green:
Well deserved, well deserved.
Sue Bonzell:
Yes, absolutely, absolutely.
Drew Green:
He’s amazing. And he’s a big reason why I’m sitting here.
Sue Bonzell:
I’m sure. Like you said, he’s an amazing songwriter and artist and so I’m glad that you guys are able to collaborate on some fun stuff. Did I read that you almost became a banker or you were a banker at one point?
Drew Green:
Yeah, 100%. I was a banker. I didn’t almost became one I was one for two years. I just got promoted to manager and trainer, I was going to have my own branch, and it was looking great. I mean, it was doing good. And I had been talking to my wife about quitting already in my head. I was going to regret it forever if I didn’t chase this dream and she was 100%. She wanted me to chase this dream, to begin with, and I did it. I quit the next day I got promoted-
Sue Bonzell:
Wow.
Drew Green:
And I ain’t looked back since. I ain’t looked back since none.
Sue Bonzell:
Well, we have to give kudos to your wife as well seriously for being supportive in that. To say, “Hey, why don’t you go ahead and quit that good job and do some music.” Good for her.
Drew Green:
Luckily for me, she really helped get me going because she’s a nurse practitioner and she … All the money I made playing at Tootsie’s and playing shows went to my demos. Every song I wrote I demoed and spent just an insane amount of money probably over the years on myself that didn’t amount to anything at the time but it is what got me … My voice heard enough to get my name out there, to get co-writes, and pitching songs to other artists, and eventually leading me to get a record deal.
Sue Bonzell:
That was so awesome. Well, I would love it if you would be willing to play a song for us, whichever one you’d like to play. If you want to play the new one or you want to play one of your other favorites.
Drew Green:
Absolutely.
Sue Bonzell:
You get to choose.
Drew Green:
I definitely would love to play Good Ol’ Men for sure if that’s all right.
Sue Bonzell:
Awesome. Yes, love it.
Drew Green:
I’m really excited about the video coming out really soon. This song’s really just started my social like Facebook, and Instagram, and TikTok. All the messages, people really just relating to a song. It’s been the first time as an artist having that feeling of wow, this is … Someone really loves this song, it’s not just a cool vibe. Like I said, I’ve only been on one tour. I’m brand new to this game and it’s been really cool watching this song really take off. It’s called Good Ol’ Man. (Singing). Thank you so much. I appreciate you letting me play one for you.
Sue Bonzell:
That is awesome. Thank you for playing it. I love that song. It speaks to a lot of people so thank you for sharing it with the world.
Drew Green:
Absolutely. It’s a song about my boy.
Sue Bonzell:
He’s so cute. Okay, are you ready to play a little game?
Drew Green:
Absolutely, I think.
Sue Bonzell:
Okay.
Drew Green:
I hope so.
Sue Bonzell:
Okay, all right. It’s not too scary. You’ve heard of Truth or Dare but we play truth or truth here because it’s all about the truth.
Drew Green:
Okay.
Sue Bonzell:
I have some little questions in my little basket and I’m going to pick one for you randomly and you get to answer.
Drew Green:
All right.
Sue Bonzell:
Okay. Okay, this is a good one. If you could get away with a crime for a day, what crime would you commit and why?
Drew Green:
Oh, that’s a good one. For just one day?
Sue Bonzell:
One day.
Drew Green:
To be honest, I’d probably go rob a big old bank somewhere and just get a lot of money for one day and save it up and stash it somewhere, to be honest. The first thing that came to my mind was money.
Sue Bonzell:
Hey, fair enough.
Drew Green:
Go steal a-
Sue Bonzell:
If you’re going to get away with it.
Drew Green:
Go steal a new Chevy Silverado. I don’t know. Drive the truck around for a day, that’s that’s simple but I’d probably go steal a whole lot of money and put it in the ground somewhere.
Sue Bonzell:
Know where it is. Save it for your son, right. Put it away for your son.
Drew Green:
For sure.
Sue Bonzell:
There you go.
Drew Green:
All I need is one day I promise.
Sue Bonzell:
One day. One day maybe multiple banks, we don’t know. We don’t know. Okay. This is a good one for most of us. What is the most drunk you have ever been?
Drew Green:
Probably and first thing that came to my mind there’s … I don’t know there’s been a bunch. But probably Savannah, Georgia bachelor party. On a bachelor party in Savannah, Georgia. That’s all I remember. That’s all I know, I went to a bachelor party. That’s about the safest way I can put that is I went to a bachelor party.
Sue Bonzell:
Right, exactly. So you went to a bachelor party and did what you’re supposed to do which was get drunk and then forget everything, right.
Drew Green:
Forgot everything. I mean, we are not going to talk about it.
Sue Bonzell:
Exactly.
Drew Green:
I made a fool of myself that’s for sure. Had a good time though. That’s the first one that came to my mind.
Sue Bonzell:
It’s one of those if you want to know you got to go. So there you go, you had to be there.
Drew Green:
I played at Tootsie’s for four years too, downtown Nashville so there’s probably a lot of those very equal nights along with that.
Sue Bonzell:
And I bet you probably saw a lot of extremely intoxicated people down there.
Drew Green:
Oh, I’ve seen worse than me. I’ve gotten pretty bad but I’ve seen some real Cooter Browns out there for sure.
Sue Bonzell:
Good old downtown Nashville, that’ll do it.
Drew Green:
Yes, ma’am.
Sue Bonzell:
Okay, we’re going to do one more. Are you ready?
Drew Green:
Yes, ma’am.
Sue Bonzell:
Okay, here we go. We’re giving you all kinds of ideas here. If you were the opposite sex for one day what would you do?
Drew Green:
Oh, Lord.
Sue Bonzell:
I’m putting you right on the spot, aren’t I?
Drew Green:
That’s a spot. I ain’t never thought about that, that’s for sure. If I was a girl for a day. I have no idea. I don’t know. I really don’t know. I don’t know. What would you do? What would you do if you were the opposite I guess is my question?
Sue Bonzell:
I’ll tell you what I would do. If I were a dude I would pee standing up. That’s what I would do if I were a dude.
Drew Green:
That’s a good answer. That’s a great answer. Gosh, well, I can’t say that though.
Sue Bonzell:
I mean, I can, but it’s just not the same.
Drew Green:
I mean, I don’t want to put on bras and panties. I don’t know what I’d do. I have no idea. That’s the best question I’ve ever heard. I’m going to steal that.
Sue Bonzell:
Okay. There you go. Okay, we stumped him.
Drew Green:
You stumped me hard. I mean, I hate that I can’t think of anything I would do.
Sue Bonzell:
You’re going to have this conversation with your wife later and then you’re going to come up with something really-
Drew Green:
I’m going to ask. I’m going call her immediately. I’m going to call her this second I get off this phone. What should I have said?
Sue Bonzell:
And then send me a note when you come up with the answer, I want to know what your answer is.
Drew Green:
Okay, I will. I’m sorry, I couldn’t get that one. I hate that I couldn’t think of a good answer.
Sue Bonzell:
It’s all good.
Drew Green:
As soon as we get off this phone I’ll be like oh, I should’ve said that.
Sue Bonzell:
Well, I did put you on the spot just a little bit but I appreciate you playing the game with me.
Drew Green:
Absolutely.
Sue Bonzell:
And I appreciate you being here today answering some questions, talking about your music, playing for us. I really, really appreciate it. And we wish you all the best. We want to make sure everybody’s following you. Drew Green on all of the socials, all the everything.
Drew Green:
At Drew Green.
Sue Bonzell:
And Spotify, download the music, all that good stuff. We want to thank you again.
Drew Green:
Thank you so much for having me, I’ve really enjoyed it. Appreciate you all.
Sue Bonzell:
Thanks for watching Up N Country. Be sure to like, and subscribe, and leave us a comment. We do new episodes every Tuesday. And be sure to follow Up N Country on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. And you can follow me too at Sue Bonzell on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
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