I play solo acoustic most of the time But somtimes travel with Bruce ling (Fiddle, Mandolin,Slide Archtop) of the band Hawks and Owls (http://www.hawksandowls.com/)
if Bruce can't make it somtimes Jack Leaver on electric guitar.. even Lauren Bittenger on Accordian. You never know who might show up with me at a show.
Influences
Greg Brown, Peter Mulvey, Tom Waits, Patty Griffen, Lyle Lovitt, Richard Shindell, Andrew Calhoun, Kat Eggleston, John Gorka, Jan Krist, Ralston Bowles, U2, Bruce Cockburn and well ...Dylan, Dylan, Dylan.
Sounds Like
I hope I sound like me but have been told... Bruce Springsteen, Bruce Cockburn, Mellencamp, Richard Shindell.... I don't know I hate this question.
drew nelson at noreast'r music fest
"Lovely Day" with Jason Dennie!
drew nelson at noreast'r music fest 2008
"Next Best Western" a cover of the incredible Richard Shindell song wsg Jason Dennie
Drew Nelson’s songs are facile in poetry, tactile in tone. They’re simple, direct expressions via mere melody and a mittful of guitar chords. Such is Drew’s gift – the ability to extract spirit and soul from the jumble of modern life, and turn it into music.
His first full-length album, “Immigrant Son,” doesn’t convey a black-and-white world of joy and anger, but rather, a colorful mélange of complex emotions expressed in blues, grays, greens and browns.
“Immigrant Son” is the culmination of Drew’s unique artistic efforts, a balance of his worldliness and small-town-America sensibilities. As a kid, he quietly rebelled against the strict, religious confines of his home by secretly listening to rock radio. He overcame his band teacher’s humbling criticism of his drumming skills by teaching himself to play guitar. He escaped the quiet quaintness of his modest, conservative West Michigan hometown by joining the Navy and traveling to far corners of the world with his guitar on his back.
His itinerant lifestyle filled his notebook with ideas, and upon returning home, he found his voice in the small struggles and triumphs of daily life. Drew shared his passion with audiences in clubs and coffeehouses, and released debut EP “Recovering Angels” in 2001. His songs made a mark in his home state, attracting listeners with his word paintings, his humble insights, his unpretentious singing, his thoughtful strumming, and, most importantly, his honesty. Drew’s focus and dedication to his art brought him to Alaska, through Texas, to the Kerrville Folk Festival, to 18,000 fans at the Muskegon Summer Celebration (opening for Melissa Etheridge), to the recognition of the New Folk Contest for Emerging Songwriters, where he was a finalist.
And now, to “Immigrant Son,” the product of two years of writing and three weeks in the studio with longtime friend and noted West Michigan producer and engineer Michael Crittenden. Although embellished by colorful instrumental textures (including fiddle, mandolin, tin whistle and, yes, a jangly cat toy), the record adheres to Drew’s man-with-a-guitar ethic. That sensibility guided the arrangements, from the blast of out-of-doors smell of fresh air that is opening track “Lovely Day,” through the boggy blues of “Wal-Mart v2.0,” the roots-shuffle of “Brand New Way” and a plaintive cover of Richard Shindell’s road song “Next Best Western.” The homespun heartache of “Breathe” and the gritty urbanite observations of “Wealthy St.” are thoughtful portraits, key developments in his evolution as a songwriter and storyteller.
It’s rare to hear songs which cut through the noisy, distracting chaff of the day – and therein lays the promise of “Immigrant Son.” “The need for love, hope and acceptance are all interwoven into the fabric of our humanity,” Drew explains. “I want to touch that secret place in my songs.”
"Drew Nelson is as soulful a singer, stylish a player and as heart felt a writer as it has been my pleasure to hear in all of last year, the 'Immigrant Son' album, is a remarkable debut, and he can only get better I predict, you just can tether talent like this."
-Rob Ellen
Medicine Music
Scotland UK
Get a chance to fish this summer? Anything good? I'm too damn busy. Getting song placements though, so that's good. Hopefully will be a "go to writer" soon.
We should definitely play a show together! I'm sure it will happen. Have a great time in Alaska, I'm sure it's really beautiful. I'm going up north myself, to North Norway. Best wishes, Sarah
Hi Drew, We're so jazzed to add you to our 2008 - 2009 line up. So glad it worked out. December will be here before we know it and Texas should be considerably warmer than Michigan at that time of the year. You might want to pack a little warmer than shorts and flip flops but maybe not. See you soon. Sending you big warm hugs from Texas, Janet, Jayne and Steve
Hey Drew! Just a fan but I have noticed that you have opened for Melissa Etheridge in Muskegon. That's cool. But do you remember opening for one of my all time favorite performers in'99? On the Grand Haven Water Front you opened for Good ol' Boy Edwin McCain! That is where I first saw you perform! It was just you and your guitar...I was like "Great here we go." and you just blew me away! I wanted to get a copy of your "NEW" cd "Recovering Angels". I've been keeping up with you ever since that GREAT Summer Night in Grand Haven! I still have your t-shirt that you signed LOL!!! I kept it because I thought "That guy is gonna make it big someday...and I can say...Ya I saw him way back when and I still have that old T-shirt!" You played recently in our little town of Fennville. You rock Dude! I can't believe that you have left out Edwin though. He is the best! If ya have em...You should put up a photo of you from that day and add Edwin (and yourself) a Holla for that great summer's eve! Love and Peace And "Yes We Can!"
Tigers, Indians, Phillies, Cubs... somebody's gotta do something... Would be nice if ESPN would broadcast more baseball games! We should go fishing when the rivers settle a bit. Nice finger-work on the new tune!
Hey Drew: A grand friend is today grandmother again. I send her your song. She says is a lovely song in the next comment. I have apartment in Gran Canaria - Canary Islands - Spain. Its yours for when you want to visit me. See you soon.
