Drake Milligan was born in Mansfield, Texas. He was inspired by the country music his father listened to, particularly Merle Haggard, as well as an Elvis impersonator he saw sing at a nearby restaurant. After performing locally as an Elvis impersonator himself, Milligan answered a casting call by CMT for the role of Elvis Presley in their TV series Sun Records. He ended up landing the part, which required him to move from Texas to Nashville, Tennessee during his senior year of high school.[1]
Milligan competed on American Idol in 2018 but ultimately dropped out. "I decided that I wasn't quite ready for that platform yet, and that it would be a better step for me to move to Nashville and focus on my music first," he said.[2]
While in Nashville, Milligan also auditioned for a recording contract with BBR Music Group. After initially rejecting him, the label signed him six months later. In July 2021, he released his self-titled debut extended play, which was produced by Tony Brown.[3] On October 22, 2021, he released the Christmas song “Cowgirl for Christmas.”
Milligan and his band appeared on America's Got Talent on June 8, 2022, receiving four enthusiastic "yes" votes for his performance of an original song, "Sounds Like Something I'd Do." As of August 30, 2022, he was one of eleven finalists competing for a $1 million prize and a chance to headline “America’s Got Talent Las Vegas LIVE” at the Luxor Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Drake finished in 3rd place on AGT September 14 2022.
Milligan's debut album, "Dallas/Fort Worth," will be released on September 15, 2022.[4]