Podcast Summary:

Takin' a Walk — Drew Baldridge Replay: Country Music Songwriting and Nashville Stories
Host: Buzz Knight
Guest: Drew Baldridge
Date: November 9, 2025
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts

Overview

This episode of Takin’ a Walk features a heartfelt conversation between host Buzz Knight and country singer-songwriter Drew Baldridge as they walk through Nashville. Baldridge candidly shares his transition from a signed artist to an independent musician, the power of connecting with fans, his deeply personal songwriting process, and the enduring influence of his family and rural upbringing. The episode also explores the healing power of music, collaboration, and advice for aspiring musicians.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Losing His Record Deal and Reinventing His Career

[02:22], [05:09], [08:28]

• After losing his record deal, booking agent, and manager in 2019, Baldridge was unsure of his future in music.
• On a whim, he posted on social media offering to play in anyone’s backyard, expecting a handful of requests—but received over 20,000.
• For two years, he performed over 300 backyard shows across the country, rebuilding his career directly with fans.

Quote:

"Man, am I still supposed to do music? I'll post on social media...and I thought I'd get like 10 people. Man, I got over 20-some thousand requests and I ended up going around the country for two years and turning over 300 people's backyard." — Drew Baldridge [02:22]

2. Lessons from Farm Life & Authenticity in Music

[03:42], [05:09], [10:07]

• Raised in rural Patoka, Illinois, Baldridge likens songwriting and the music industry to farming: planting seeds without knowing the outcome.
• The death of his grandfather rekindled his desire to make authentic music for “his people”—country folk—rather than chasing Nashville trends.

Quote:

"We write these songs and we don't really know what they're gonna do. It's kind of like, you know, putting seed in the ground and you don't know how it's gonna yield." — Drew Baldridge [03:42]

3. The Pandemic-Era Backyard Tour & Its Impact

[07:03], [08:09], [09:47]

• Initially sparked by virtual concerts for seniors whose graduations were lost to COVID, the idea evolved into live backyard shows and even drive-in graduations.
• These intimate performances broke down barriers between artist and audience, forging personal connections.

Quote:

"It took down all the walls between artist and fan, artist and listener. I became friends with a lot of these people." — Drew Baldridge [08:28]

• Baldridge puts the names of small towns he plays on tour shirts, making those communities feel recognized and special.
  “Our little towns never got anything. So being able to go and tour this way was really special for me, but also for them.” — Drew Baldridge [10:07]

4. “Think Like a Fan, Make Everyone a Star”

[11:33]

• Discusses the value of thinking from the fan’s perspective—treating every listener as important, and minimizing ego.
• Baldridge prefers calling listeners “people who listen to my music,” not “fans.”

Quote:

"It was like, we're playing on the freaking hay wagon they just took the bales off of… It’s really just knocking those walls down and treating people like humans." — Drew Baldridge [12:05]

5. Organic Growth and “Textbook” Marketing

[14:02], [14:10], [15:31]

• Backyard touring led to genuine fan growth and ripple effects—friends, families, and communities spreading word-of-mouth.
• Baldridge reflects that this wasn’t a planned marketing strategy, but authentic connection.

Quote:

"You kind of start seeing the branches kind of go out… When I come, like last week, I was in Omaha, Nebraska… the principal's texting me and saying, 'hey, I'm so glad you come back.'" — Drew Baldridge [14:10]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Let the no's drive you ... If you have a plan B, this plan is never going to work." — Drew Baldridge [36:55]
• "There's no failure in music. There's just quitters." — Drew Baldridge [36:55]
• "Music's always had a hold on my soul." — Drew Baldridge [20:10]
• “Whoever listens to your music is an extension of who you are.” — Drew Baldridge [12:05]
• “If I can close my eyes when the song's playing and it takes me somewhere, that means we did our job.” — Drew Baldridge [24:28]
• “Now you can be discovered. Every night, millions of people are swiping on their phone, in their bed, and you could be discovered—and that song could change their life in a day's time.” — Drew Baldridge [36:55]

Important Segments & Timestamps

Early Musical Influences

• [18:37] First moved by music watching his father sing "When the Anchor Holds" at church.
• [19:30] First public performance: first-grade Christmas program.
• [21:13] Influences: Michael Jackson, Alabama, Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, John Anderson.

The Songwriting Process & Collaboration

• [28:35] Collaboration process: importance of coming in with authentic ideas but remaining open.
• [28:45] Writing “She’s Somebody’s Daughter” came from meeting his wife's father and thinking about respect and responsibility.

Hit Songs & Personal Stories

• [25:07] Story behind “Before You”: Written for his wife, with a proposal planned for Paris—adapted for Aruba due to COVID.
• [27:01] Duet with Harper Grace on “Lost in Love”; nurturing rising talent and supporting fellow artists.

The Healing and Unifying Power of Music

• [31:40], [33:55] Music can prompt emotional breakthroughs, reconciliation, and healing—examples from Baldridge’s own songs and those of others.
• [34:04] “There’s no rules in music” — even amidst divisiveness, songs with powerful messages unite listeners.

The Independent Route & Ambitions

• [34:59] Baldridge talks about forming his own label, pushing “She’s Somebody’s Daughter” to radio personally, and aiming for his first #1 hit.
• [36:34] Vision for the future: continuous growth, connecting through music, and seeking songwriting cuts with other artists.

Advice for Aspiring Musicians

• [36:55]
  • Assess how committed you are—success requires resilience beyond setbacks.
  • Ignore comparisons: “Don’t compare yourself.”
  • Use social media relentlessly to build an audience, especially from small towns.
  • There are no gatekeepers now—online virality can launch careers overnight.
  • Be prolific: “Write, write, write, write, write.”

Quote:

"If you're in some little town, you're a songwriter right now, or if you're an artist, there's no reason why you shouldn't be posting every other day about your music or writing songs." — Drew Baldridge [36:55]

Conclusion

Drew Baldridge’s path shines a light on the resilience, ingenuity, and heart needed to survive in today’s music landscape. By tearing down barriers between himself and his audience, drawing from deep wells of authenticity, and embracing new digital opportunities, he has crafted both lasting industry influence and moving musical moments. His story is a testament to perseverance, humility, and the unifying, healing power of country music.

For those who haven’t listened:
You’ll walk away with a greater appreciation for country music’s roots, the enduring value of community, and the rewards of authenticity—plus, practical advice for any creative trying to make their mark.

Recommended Listening

• “She’s Somebody’s Daughter”
• “Before You”
• “Lost in Love” (with Harper Grace)