Biography
Every generation has its poets; the writers, musicians, and lyricists who capture the spirit and longings of their time. Those who give expression to our own personal memories and dreams as though they know us. They tell our stories, giving us the words we need to celebrate or let go. That is the soil in which singer/songwriter Drew Nelson has been toiling. Legendary songwriter John Gorka said "Drew's songs sound like the rest of us feel. His characters are anything but defeated. They are dazed, angry, amazed and climbing".
Drew Neslons' latest album, Dusty Road to Beulah Land (pronounced (be-u-la) marks a notable growth in his standing as a songwriter and musician. Each song brings another side of Drew to the forefront, expanding beyond his folk-singer roots to embrace wider genres.
In the follow up to Nelsons' acclaimed independent release Immigrant Son, he proves he is not only a great songwriter but as a great storyteller. Singer/songwriter Meg Hutchinson says "it's not often that someone can so aptly give voice to other people's lives and make us believe every word." Nelson's stories are about the people we know, people we wish we knew, and who we are.
Within this collection of songs we find the displaced Detroit auto worker (Stranger), the love lost and wandering (Highway 2), the farmer watching his beloved landscape disappear before his eyes (Farmer's Lament), the dazed blue collar worker shaking his head at bailouts and greed, and the deep respect and insight of Native American life and culture (Grandmother Moon, Raindance). Drew puts his feelings, and ours, into words and music that capture the spirit and soul of the world around us all with a common thread: Hope.
Dusty Road to Beulah Land was produced by longtime friend and producer Michael Crittenden in Grand Rapids, Michigan and mastered by the legendary Jerry Tubb at Terra Nova studios in Austin, Texas. Tubb first listened to the tracks a few days before he and Drew got together to see what he was getting into. When Drew arrived, Tubb told him "I've worked on a lot of music. Sometimes I get a salvage project; this is a record."
Drew grew up in Michigan, but escaped the narrow confines of his small-town, Midwestern upbringing by joining the Navy and traveling the world. He was able to see first-hand what was really happening in the world, and come home with fresh eyes to appreciate the realities of life in America. These experiences provided insight and understanding that have found an outlet in songs filled with discovery, revelation, and hope.
Nelson is now expanding his love of music to the creation of the instruments he plays. He has just finished making his first guitar, and hopes to start a tradition of building and signing one a year to auction off for charity. In addition to giving back to us through his music, Nelson is involved in many community-based efforts to educate the next generation and make our world a better place to live. He lives what he writes.
*Kerrville Folk Festival performer Thredgill Stage 2003
*Finalist in the Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk Contest for Emerging Songwriters, 2004
*Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Emerging Artist, 2006
*Telluride Troubador Contest - Honorable Mention,
2006
*Kerrville Folk Festival 2007 in the round with Susan Warner and John Gorka.
*Has performed with the likes of Peter Mulvey, Edwin McCain, Alice Peacock, Jeffrey Gaines, Angie Aparo,
Melissa Etheridge, Dana Cooper, Caroline Aiken Tom Prasada-Rao, Claudia Schmidt, Kitty Donahue, Josh White Jr.David Mead, Mustards Retreat, Darden Smith, John McVey and The Kennedys.
*Venues and Festivals 2006: The Ark, Wheatland Music Festival, Bliss Fest Concert Series, Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, Connections Festival, Trinity House Theatre, Porcupine Mountains Music Festival, TriCentric Showcase Artist NERFA. (North East Folk Alliance)
for Booking Contact drew 616.706.2539 email: drew@drewnelson.net
Instrumentation
Drew Nelson
Singer/Songwriter
Acoustic Guitar and Vocal
Discography
2000 - WGRD's RadioActiveV Compilation CD
2001 - Recovering Angels Ep
2002- Winter in West Michigan Compilation CD
2003 - Standing Together Compilation CD
2005 - Immigrant Son
2008- Rock out Cystinosis Compilation CD
2009- Standing Together Compilation CD
2009- Dusty Road to Beulah Land
Links
| http://www.drewnelson.net |