Drew Gregory nominated for three YYC Music Awards

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Drew Gregory has been nominated in three categories for the YYC Music Awards, which will be taking place at the Grey Eagle Event Centre in September.

“It was kind of a surprise, but it is really great to see it. I am up for people’s choice, single of the year for our single, ‘Neon Times,’ and country recording of the year,” said Gregory. “They do a country recording and then single of the year is across all genres, country recording is obviously just country music, so we are up for both of those with Neon Time.”

He added he has been nominated in categories for the YYC Music Awards several times, though often is unable to attend the event due to scheduling complications. 

During the inaugural year of the YYC Music Awards, Gregory was successful in being awarded male artist of the year.

“I think my favorite part about any of these awards weekends is just kind of getting to see everybody again, more than the awards themselves. It is always nice to be nominated for, for something, but I definitely like running in and talking with people and we do not get together too often as artists,” he said. “When we can all get together for a night like this for celebrating, I think it is always a good time.”

Gregory himself hails from Standard, which boasts a village population hovering at approximately 400 people. 

His single, Neon Time, he explained was written in collaboration with Wade Kirby and Jim Collins, who both boast notoriety of their own rights in Nashville. 

“I got hooked up with them through Bobby Wills; I am under his record label now, so Bobby had a pretty good career of his own, but he started Willing Records over the past couple of years,” explained Gregory. “I started working with him, and he started putting me in touch with some of the songwriters that he had a lot of success with over his career. It was a songwriting trip down to Nashville, and it was the first time I had written with either (Kirby or Collins) and it was at Jim Collins’ house.”

Gregory added he believes it a very special thing to be recognized by the fans directly through the people’s choice award regardless of which awards show an artist is participating at. 

“I remember putting a post out that we were up for it and I can’t remember how many times it got shared … it was crazy how many people clicked on the link … and it was very nice to see that people are paying attention and you have a fan base,” he said. 

The YYC Music Awards will be taking place on Sept. 29.