Howie Mandel claims that Drake Milligan may have been “America’s Got Talent”‘s “new Elvis of country.” During the second audition episode of Season 17, the 23-year-old singer and his band sang Milligan’s original single, “Sounds Like Something I’d Do.” The judges unanimously voted “Yes,” noting that the song already had the makings of a Top 40 smash, and the audience exploded in cheers from the first note.
“A good song is a good song in my opinion, and you’re very likeable,” Simon Cowell said.
“I also love that you guys are a band,” Heidi Klum continued. Since there aren’t many bands on the show yet, I believe you would be a great addition to America’s Got Talent.
Born in Ft. Worth, Texas, Milligan revealed that it was none other than Elvis Presley who inspired him to pursue a career in singing. I was captivated by an Elvis impersonator I witnessed when I was around seven years old while out with my family. “I knew I wanted to be like Elvis at that point,” Milligan recounted.
Here’s more about this rising country star:
He already has a debut album
Milligan’s self-titled EP, which included his audition song “Sounds Like Something I’d Do,” was published in 2021. All of the main streaming services provide the EP. Milligan listed his musical influences on his website.
Along with Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, and George Jones, George Strait and Elvis are my primary sources of influence. I grew up listening to those music,” he said. The best depressing songs, I’ve discovered, are hopeful despite being bittersweet. The allure of country music is its ability to make you feel understood, even when it’s a depressing tune. It’s not always sunshine and rainbows.
He’s currently on tour
From June 10 to July 2, Milligan will tour the United States, stopping in places including Missouri and Michigan. Fans can still purchase tickets and see the whole itinerary at www.drakemilligan.com/tour, his official website.
Moving to Nashville to chase his dreams
Milligan, who is originally from Fort Worth, relocated to Nashville in order to further his artistic goals. In Texas, I couldn’t have achieved this record. The world’s top artists and composers call Nashville home. “There’s nowhere like Nashville, but I never want to lose my Texas roots,” he wrote on his website. It was my heroes who brought me here. My favorite musicians and songwriters are still at the top of their game. For me, writing alongside them was a rite of passage.
Watch “America’s Got Talent” Season 17 on NBC every Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET to see Drake Milligan and other gifted performers.
