Drew Parker, the songwriter behind No. 1 hits for Luke Combs (“Doin’ This,” “Forever After All”) and Jake Owen (“Homemade”) has established himself as an in-demand tunesmith and rising star in country music. With a gift for crafting heartfelt lyrics and captivating melodies, Parker is also an in-demand solo artist with an engaging live show.
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Parker shares his major label debut EP At the End of the Dirt Road today (June 2). The six-track project was produced by Phil O’Donnell and Scott Hendricks. Parker had a hand in penning three of the six songs.
“Being able to be completely vulnerable and connect with other people through music and lyrics [is] therapy for me,” he says.
In an interview with American Songwriter, Parker opens up about his journey into songwriting, the inspiration behind his music, and how he knows when he’s penned something special.
American Songwriter: How did you get started in songwriting?
Drew Parker: I wrote my first song when I was 24 years old, and six months later I moved to Nashville. It honestly wasn’t a gift I was really confident in until I moved to Nashville and began co-writing.
AS: What inspires you? How do you find ideas for a song?
DP: I’m inspired most by where I’m at in my life. Whether that’s being a dad, being a husband, son, brother, or friend. But also inspired by the songwriters that came before me and trying to find an idea that would even make my heroes say, “How did I not think of that?”
AS: Have you ever experienced writer’s block and how do you get past it?
DP: 100%! I think you just have to write through it and lean on your co-writers and friends to help you! It comes and goes. I’ve just learned to accept it and keep digging. You never know when you’re gonna write a song that can change your life, and just like that writer’s block is gone.
AS: Can you feel when a song is going to be a hit during a writing session or does it constantly surprise you which songs take off? Did you know you had something special with Luke Combs’ “Doin’ This” and “Forever After All?”
DP: I’ve written so many songs with Luke I’ve learned to tell what is going to be extra special. He is so confident in who he is as an artist and what he wants to say that I felt really good about “Doin’ This” and “Forever After All.” But also with “Homemade” (Jake Owen) I knew that song was such a clever idea and great melody that it had a chance to be very special.
AS: Are you someone who has a very concerted writing process? Or are you constantly jotting down ideas and creating more sporadically?
DP: I’m a writer that has a hard time “turning it off.” I’m constantly thinking of ideas and chasing something. I love being prepared with a good idea or melody whenever I have a co-write scheduled.
AS: Tell me about writing “Middle of Nowhere Class.” Is there one lyric in the song that you feel best describes you?
DP: I remember writing this song with Erik Dylan and Driver Williams. Erik had that idea and I thought it was redneck genius. It just resonated with me so well and the kind of music I grew up on. It’s hard to pick just one line that describes me because I feel like the whole song does that. But my favorite line in the song is our IGA ain’t got no IPA.
AS: What do you hope listeners take away from your At the End of the Dirt Road EP?
DP: First off, I hope they can see how much I’ve matured since my last EP. I’ve become a dad since my last EP and I feel like this batch of music is a long way from where I was then. I feel like you could listen to this EP and know exactly who I am as a person.
AS: What advice would you give songwriters just starting out?
DP: Write, Write, Write. There are no rules. Speak from your heart. And don’t let anyone tell you your songs aren’t good. If you believe in it, someone else will too.
AS: What do you love most about songwriting?
DP: Being able to be completely vulnerable and connect with other people through music and lyrics. It’s therapy for me.
Photo Credit: Emma Golden / Courtesy of Warner Music Nashville
