DREW McALISTER
Born in Narrabri and raised in Moree in country New South Wales, Drew McAlister grew up listening to Bryan Adams, Noiseworks and Slim Dusty and started singing at age 7. One of four children, after finishing school at the age of 18, Drew decided to take his music ability seriously and left the country for the dazzling lights of Sydney. He immediately picked up session work for major brand television and radio jingles. During the next few of years, Drew continued to write his songs, performed in many different bands and appeared on “The Midday Show” and “Hey Hey It’s Saturday” numerous times. Drew then toured Australia with the production of “Jesus Christ Superstar”, before eventually landing a recording deal with EMI.
After several years of writing and performing in the R&B/pop style, Drew parted ways with the label knowing in his heart that this was not his direction and that he was more at ease with Contemporary Country. Drew resumed session work and in 1998 signed a worldwide publishing deal with EMI with over 140 songs in his catalogue.
For the next 2 years he visited the US four times collaborating with many different songwriters, but it was a trip to Nashville that finally made sense for Drew. Collaborating with Heather Field [Tina Arena/Tania Kernaghan/Troy Cassar-Daley], Drew spent a few weeks writing and immersing him self in the Nashville scene. Coming home, Drew started to write the songs that had been inside him just waiting to get out.
In 2003, Drew took out the Gympie Muster “New Talent” award which spear-headed interest and support from the country scene, industry and artists alike. He was then invited by Graham Thompson of Compass Bros Records to perform “The Shearer’s Dream” on the “Australian Storytellers” compilation album. At Tamworth 2004 he performed many shows including supports with Tania Kernaghan, Tamara Stewart and Allan Caswell, plus the 1200 strong audience at the Maton Guitar showcase. He has also shared the stage with Beccy Cole, Adam Harvey, Sara Storer, Melinda Schneider, Mike Carr, Anne McCue and others.
In September 2004 Drew was asked to go to Iraq along with several other Australian entertainers to perform for the Australian and Coalition troops. Drew spent 2 weeks at various locations and played 10 shows. It was also that same year Drew recorded his debut country EP which spawned the country hits “Going Home” and “Broken Angels”.
In January 2007, all of Drew’s hard work started to pay off – winning his first Golden Guitar Award for Vocal Collaboration of the Year with Allan Caswell (“A Little Bit of Country In Us All”) and also picking up finalist spots for the TSA & TIARA Awards.
Throughout 2007 Drew wrote and recorded the song “Along For The Ride” for the annual Tour De Cure Charity Bike Ride, performed the theme to the Australian feature film, “The Final Winter” and toured with The Aussie Highwaymen alongside Mike Carr, Jake Nickolai and Nick Kingswell. But the highlight was the realization of a dream – he completed recording his self produced debut album. Titled, “There To Here”, the album is a collection of 14 of songs which showcase the heart, soul and life of Drew McAlister and testament to one of Australia’s most exciting new singer/songwriters.
2008 looks set to be another big year for Drew McAlister with nominations in the Country Music Awards of Australia, TSA and Victorian & National Country Music Awards as well as more touring around Australia.
“There to Here” is released February 16th through Compass Bros Distribution.
