"We're all tough people" – Country artist Drew Baldridge on the perseverance behind his latest hit

Rising country music sensation Drew Baldridge has found inspiration and strength in his most recent hit song, "Tough People." The song has now reached the top 20 of the charts and has received praise from both fans and critics. However, this song's backstory is one of perseverance, fortitude, and difficulties that come in life. Here is what Drew Baldridge had to say,

"But let's put a light on these tough times that we're going through. We're all tough people. We all have a scar. We all have a story, and I think that's what I want my music to say."

Baldridge released a single, “She’s Somebody’s Daughter”, without the help of a major record label, and it went on to become his first #1 hit. It was a significant milestone for him. At that time, it was tough for him to get the track on the radio; it was then that he had written down the song "Tough People."

In an interview with ABC Audio, Drew Baldridge said:

“When I was having a tough time sending ‘Daughter’ to radio by myself, I wrote this song. It became a message to me to keep going, to not give up.”

Working together with the likes of talented composers Luke Combs, Jordan Walker, and Adam Sanders, the group created a song that spoke to Drew's own tales of perseverance.

The song has made it into the top 20 on country radio. The lines "Tough times make tough people" became his motto that he shares with the people that, despite hardship, perseverance and hard work eventually lead to success. People have found the lyrics of the song resonating with a powerful message.

Drew Baldridge's inspiration for the song

Drew Baldridge wrote the song from a very intimate perspective. He was raised on a farm in the small Illinois town of Patoka, and when he wrote the song, he had actual farmers, single mothers, first responders, and families that deal with a lot of difficulties on a daily basis. The song pays tribute to them, the people who persevere in the face of adversity, those with illness or who have had bad experiences in life. Baldridge wanted to bring this to life to encourage other people and to let them know that they are not alone.

Country singer Luke Combs had already recorded a version of the song and wanted to release it himself. But Drew Baldridge took a risk when he contacted him and said no. Since the idea behind the song was very intimate to Baldridge, he wanted to be the one to sing it.

Baldridge had his doubts in the beginning:

“That was a big scare for me of saying, ‘Oh, man, I’m taking a song away from the biggest artist in our format to take a chance of me recording it.’”

The gamble paid off now that it is one of the most talked-about country songs and is on the top 20 list.

Baldridge recounted when he met Combs in Nashville, while he was on tour with Cody Johnson:

"I saw him in Nashville when ‘Tough People’ had just reached the Top 15 and I thanked him and he was like, 'Shut up, man'. He said, 'Don't say thank you. This is your moment. This is your song. I'm so happy for you.' And he was so kind. And it's just been another one of those things where you see why when you take a chance on yourself, you never know what might happen."

Drew Baldridge is now on tour with Bailey Zimmerman and Dylan Marlowe, singing "Tough People". Bladridge said:

“If even one person hears it and feels a little stronger, that’s what it’s all about.”

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