Drew Gregory, the 2015 Alberta Country Music Association Male Artist of the Year, came to Toronto to make his first appearance at Boots & Bourbon while on a quick trip to southern Ontario - and he made the most of it.
With a set that lasted just over an hour, and a crowd made up of country music fans and industry professionals, Gregory hit the stage with a full band and rolled through a collection of his own songs and popular covers. The full sound, and a couple little surprises, made for a good time on a Thursday night in the city, and we're sure it won't be the last time we see Drew on the Toronto stage.
The Alberta boy showed off tracks including Like A Country Boy Can, Truck.Beer.Girl., All About It, and I Was There, giving everyone a taste of the music he's been making over the last few years and three albums - Country Hurricane, The Way I Was Raised, and I Was There.
Note:During his set, Drew played a song that he told us he wrote with two artists and people that we know and like very much. Know Good's Comin' was a co-write with Brad Stella and Trinity Bradshaw, and if we have our way, we'll hear it again.
One of the most pleasant and unexpected surprises of the evening came during All About It when Drew pulled out a washboard and became only the second man we've seen play the old standard in the venue. It also served a little notice to David Roberts of The Washboard Union that he's in the game too.
During his time on stage, Drew played a series of covers and medleys that included Jack & Diane, Johnny B. Goode, Honey I'm Good, Dead Or Alive, Shine, Thinkin' Out Loud, and more. But the highlight of the covers was certainly the inclusion of The Tragically Hip's Wheat Kings. In a week where a nation wept for Gord Downie, it felt right to hear them represented.
After seeing Drew Gregory live on stage it's clear to see that his ACMA Male Artist of the Year win wasn't a mistake. He's got a stage presence that fits his sound. He's got songs that are ready for sing alongs... and tapping your toes or having a little dance. And we know that he's got the passion and drive for what he does.
Be ready to hear and see more of Drew Gregory on country radio, and on stages across Canada. We know he's looking forward to seeing you!
