Only a few weeks after landing in the Top 5 on America’s Got Talent, Drake Milligan will celebrate another huge career milestone, when he makes his Grand Ole Opry debut. The singer-songwriter will take the stage on October 5, joining an impressive lineup that includes Jamey Johnson, Breland and Maggie Rose, with more artists expected to be announced in the near future.
“I couldn’t be more excited and honored about playing the Grand Ole Opry!” shares Milligan. “To have the opportunity to step in that circle that so many legends have shared will be a dream come true.”
Milligan released his debut Dallas/Fort Worth album on September 15, one day after the America’s Got Talent finale.
“I grew up in Fort Worth, just south of Fort Worth, and it’s such a traditional kind of city, right?” Milligan reflected to Everything Nash. “It kind of holds onto its roots. You have the stockyards, you have Billy Bob’s. It’s a city that really holds true to its roots, and loves tradition. I like to call it a little more dust on the boots. And Dallas is of course a big, big city, and trying to be the next big thing, and looking towards the future. And so it was a great way to split up these songs. I have that side of me that wants to be on radio, and is more polished, and then that side of maybe a little bit of rock influence. And then the side of me that’s holding onto my roots, and wants to do a little honky-tonk traditional country music.”
Although Milligan didn’t win the grand prize on AGT, he took so much away from his time on the TV show that he still feels like a winner.
“I’m totally surprised,” Milligan acknowledged. “I didn’t think it was gonna happen on the scale it’s happened. The shows being planned are crazy. People are showing up. They’re singing along to all the songs. It’s changed my career completely.”
Milligan just released “Sounds Like Something I’d Do” to radio. The song, from Dallas/Fort Worth, is what Milligan performed during his initial America’s Got Talent audition.
Tickets to Milligan’s Grand Ole Opry performance are available here. Find music and tour dates at DrakeMilligan.com.