Drake Milligan
Milligan performing in 2022
Background information
Born (1998-06-01) June 1, 1998 (age 25)
Arlington, Texas, U.S.
OriginNashville, Tennessee, U.S.
GenresCountry
OccupationsSinger
InstrumentsVocals, guitar
Years active2017–present
LabelsBBR, Stoney Creek
Websitewww.drakemilligan.com

Drake Milligan (born June 1, 1998) is an American singer, best known for portraying Elvis Presley on the CMT series Sun Records and starring in the film Nobody where he portrayed a young teen Elvis. He has also appeared on American Idol and America's Got Talent. Milligan has charted with the singles "Sounds Like Something I'd Do" and "Honky Tonkin' About", the latter of which became his first number one when it topped the Canadian country chart.[1][2]

Biography

Drake Milligan was born in Arlington, Texas, on June 1, 1998, to James & Angela Milligan. He was inspired by the country music his father listened to, particularly Merle Haggard, as well as an Elvis impersonator he saw sing at a nearby restaurant. After performing locally as an Elvis impersonator himself, Milligan answered a casting call by CMT for the role of Elvis Presley in their TV series Sun Records (2017). He ended up landing the part, which required him to move from Texas to Nashville, Tennessee, during his senior year of high school.[3]

Milligan competed on American Idol in 2018 but ultimately dropped out. "I decided that I wasn't quite ready for that platform yet, and that it would be a better step for me to move to Nashville and focus on my music first," he said.[4]

While in Nashville, Milligan also auditioned for a recording contract with BBR Music Group. After initially rejecting him, the label signed him six months later. In July 2021, he released his self-titled debut extended play, which was produced by Tony Brown.[5] On October 22, 2021, he released the Christmas song "Cowgirl for Christmas".

Milligan and his band appeared on America's Got Talent on June 8, 2022, receiving four "yes" votes for his performance of an original song, "Sounds Like Something I'd Do". Drake finished the season in 3rd place on September 14, 2022. Drake and his band made a special appearance on an AGT's Results Night, September 13, 2023, performing his new single, "I Got A Problem".

Milligan's debut album, Dallas/Fort Worth was released on September 15, 2022.[6] In October 2022, he made his Grand Ole Opry debut.[7]

In 2023, he collaborated with The Reklaws on the single "Honky Tonkin' About".[8] On September 7, 2023, he released the single, "I Got A Problem".

Discography

Studio albums

List of albums, showing other relevant details
Title Details
Dallas/Fort Worth

Extended plays

List of EPs, showing relevant details
Title Details
Drake Milligan
  • Released: July 23, 2021
  • Label: This Is Hit/BBR
  • Formats: CD, digital
Jukebox Songs
  • Released: February 16, 2024
  • Label: This Is Hit/Stoney Creek
  • Formats: CD, digital

Singles

As lead artist

Single Year Peak chart
positions 		Album
US Country Airplay
[1]
"Cowgirl for Christmas" 2021 — Non-album single[9]
"Sounds Like Something I'd Do" 2022 40 Dallas/Fort Worth

As featured artist

Year Single Artist Peak positions Album
CAN Country
[2] 		CAN
Digital
[10]
2023 "Honky Tonkin' About" The Reklaws 1 35 TBA

Awards and nominations

Year Award show Category Nominated work Result References
2023 CMT Music Awards Male Breakthrough video of the Year "Sounds Like Something I'd Do" Nominated [11]

References

  1. ^ a b "Billboard Country Update" (PDF). Billboard. January 20, 2023. p. 6. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 20, 2023. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Canada Country peak positions:
  3. ^ "Drake Milligan: The former star of CMT's Sun Records TV show launches his country career with his debut EP. Earlier Milligan portrayed a young teen Elvis on a film,titled "Nobody."". Fort Worth Weekly. July 28, 2021. Archived from the original on June 28, 2022. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  4. ^ Houghton, Cillea (April 4, 2018). "Why Did Country Singer Drake Milligan Disappear From 'Idol'?". Taste of Country. Archived from the original on December 8, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  5. ^ "Get to know: Drake Milligan". Sounds Like Nashville. July 27, 2021. Archived from the original on March 27, 2022. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  6. ^ "Drake Milligan Announces Debut Album, 'Dallas/Fort Worth'". August 9, 2022. Archived from the original on August 15, 2022. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  7. ^ Mies, Andrew (February 19, 2023). "Go Behind The Scenes With Drake Milligan For His Opry Debut". Whiskey Riff. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  8. ^ O'Connell, Madeleine (July 28, 2023). "New Country Songs You Need To Hear Right Now: The Reklaws with Drake Milligan, Emily Ann Roberts, & More". Country Now.
  9. ^ "Meet 'AGT' Season 17's Drake Milligan, the "New Elvis of Country" — According to Judge Howie Mandel". August 10, 2022. Archived from the original on August 18, 2022. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  10. ^ Canada Digital Songs peak positions:
  11. ^ Greg Evans (March 8, 2023). "CMT Music Awards 2023 Nominations: Lainey Wilson Leads Roster – Complete List". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 8, 2023. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
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