Prior to the release of his debut album, Dallas/Fort Worth, Drake Milligan spent five years honing his sounds and zeroing in on the artist he wanted to be. He had a hand in writing all 14 songs on the project and created a sound that earned him a rabid fanbase that flocked to his shows around the world.

With his artistic identity now firmly solidified, Milligan returned in mid-February with Jukebox Songs, a four-song EP that both captures and furthers what his fans loved about Dallas/Fort Worth: singalong choruses, rock-solid vocals, and enough fiddle and steel to please even the staunchest traditional country fan, all the while, maintaining a sound that feels fresh in today’s musical climate.

We talked to Milligan all about Jukebox Songs, as well as artistic growth, touring with Cody Johnson, playing overseas and more!

Pro Country: You signed to BBR Music Group in the early 2020s. Can you talk about the courting and signing process and how it felt to be joining such a talented roster of artists?

Drake Milligan: BBR became the perfect home for someone like me. When I joined, they were one of the first meetings I took in Nashville. When I was shopping around for a record deal, BBR felt like the underdogs at the time. They’re not underdogs anymore because they’re killing it with some of the biggest artists out there [laughs]. It felt like they were willing to go through the development process with me, which is what I needed. I needed someone to be patient with me, and that’s what they did.

PC: You released your self-titled EP in mid-2021, which featured your now-signature song, “Sounds Like Something I’d Do.” In the time since its release, it has earned several millions streams and plays across platforms. What has it been like for you to see the life the song continues to have and what do you think it is about the song that struck a chord out of the gate?

DM: It’s been really cool! Especially because it’s a song that I was a part of writing. I co-wrote it with Terry McBride and Brett Beavers. That day was about as much fun as I’ve ever had in a writing room. It goes to show you that the more fun you have writing or creating something, it comes through in the music.

To be able to play that song all over the world and having people sing along with every word is pretty cool. Especially because it has that 90s country feel. It’s cool to see that there’s a place for music like that.