Provided
There’s a certain swagger that comes with being a Fort Worth native — and Drake Milligan has it in spades. But for Milligan, it’s not just heritage or hometown pride; it’s experience.
“It feels like that’s the wind behind the tumbleweed, if you will,” he says of his new album’s title track, which captures his life on the road over the past three years, playing more than 300 shows. “Sometimes you feel like you’re just kind of rolling around with no clear direction, but there’s really a reason behind it all, and I’ve got a great support system around me — family, friends, my band, my fans.”
Milligan is stepping confidently into the next chapter of his career with the announcement of his sophomore album, Tumbleweed, set for release Nov. 7, and the drop of its second song, “Old Flames, Old Whiskey,” released on Oct. 17. Produced by Trent Willmon, the album spans 14 tracks that marry traditional Texas country, Western swing, and modern Nashville stylings. The title track, released last month, hit #12 on the UK Country Radio Airplay chart in only its second week.
Provided
Written by Brett and Jim Beavers, “Old Flames, Old Whiskey” leans into Milligan’s smooth baritone, telling a story of heartbreak and regret. “It’s just a fun honky-tonk,” Milligan says. “By the end of the song, I knew exactly where I wanted to go with it. I could see us playing this at Billy Bob’s, and everybody’s singing along. It harks back to that really traditional honky-tonk sound that was so popular in the nineties.”
2025 has been a whirlwind for the young artist. Milligan has opened for Lainey Wilson, Blake Shelton, and Luke Bryan, absorbing lessons in performance and showmanship along the way.
“I try not to steal anything, but definitely stay inspired,” he admits regarding sharing the stage with so many iconic names. “You pick up on little things, just by seeing what makes them unique, and how maybe I can approach my show differently.”
Milligan kicks off “The Tumbleweed World Tour” with a headlining show at Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl on Nov. 11, which doubles as the album release party. The tour includes international dates in Paris and Brussels in March 2026, along with appearances at the C2C Festival in Rotterdam, Berlin, London, Glasgow, and Belfast. There’s also an intimate pop-up performance at Ole Red in Orlando on Nov. 8, offering fans a preview of the reimagined live show ahead of the tour.
Milligan first made waves with his debut album, Dallas/Fort Worth, which entered the Billboard Emerging Artists Chart at #5 and topped multiple iTunes charts. His 2024 EP, Jukebox Songs, featured “I Got A Problem,” a #1 hit on Australian Country Radio charts. Over 230 million streams later, Milligan has earned an international following, but he hasn’t let that number go to his head.
“I really didn't see that coming,” he says. “It’s just crazy to see people singing along to every song when you’re that far from home. They really get behind the music and appreciate that traditional sound, which is really exciting.”
Touring has also given Milligan perspective. “It’s great to have a support system around me — my team, my fan base, my band — that keeps me grounded,” he explains. “On the road, you can kind of get in your own head, but that support keeps me sane.”
Tumbleweed represents more than a set of songs — it’s a statement of intent.
“People will hear that I’m serious about this music,” Milligan says. “It’s my life. It’s what I listen to 24/7. This isn’t a phase — this is something I want to be doing for the rest of my life.”
With the “Tumbleweed World Tour” on the horizon, Milligan is a tumbleweed in motion — guided, grounded, and unstoppable.
