My Essentials, Drew Six, Musician

— jennifer bhargava { special to ink }

Drew Six recently gave a special performance for country superstar Trace Adkins in Nashville, Tenn. And he’s not going to lie, it was pretty awesome.

“The experience was extremely nerve-racking, but I was mostly excited,” says Six, a Prairie Village resident. “Trace is very down-to-earth, and he’s kind of like a big teddy bear.”

Six earned the opportunity because he was a finalist in a jingle contest sponsored by a dog treat company. Adkins was a judge.

Six didn’t win the grand prize, a one-on-one recording session with the superstar. But the experience Nov. 7 affirmed to him that his hard work is paying off.

Six has been performing nonstop for almost a decade. His band, Drew 6, plays a few times per week and is set to open for Rick Springfield on Dec. 3 at the Midland theater. Six also does solo gigs, with his guitar and harmonica.

These days, he’s writing and recording a solo contemporary country album that he plans to release on iTunes next year. He’s been traveling to Nashville once a month to collaborate with other songwriters and to network.

“In Nashville, it’s important to make a good impression and learn the politics of the city,” Six says. “Their music business is so well organized, and it’s really been a blessing to deal with people there. They know how to run things.”

Six promotes his own music. Having a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Missouri-Kansas City has helped.

“I’m following a dream and I’m enjoying the journey while doing it,” he says. “Part of being a musician is being motivated to take yourself to another level and appreciating what you have, without taking it for granted.”

His essentials

Person: My wife, Miki

Pets: Cash and June, rescue dogs

Group/club: Nashville Songwriters Association International

Gadget: Macbook

Website: drew6.com

Local restaurant: Pot Pie, 904 Westport Road

Snack: Yogurt

Food: Barbecue

Sports team: Chiefs

Actor: Johnny Depp

Author: Joe Vitale

Video game: James Bond Goldeneye

Magazine: Men’s Health

Blog: NashvilleGab.com

Radio station: Q104

Movie: “The Saint”

TV Show: “Sons of Anarchy”

Cologne: Bleu de Chanel

Clothing brand: All Saints

Exercise: Interval training

Musician: Chris Isaak

Place to spend an extra $50: Ebay

Phone or texting: Texting

Facebook or Twitter: Mostly Facebook, but both

Vacation spot: Okinawa, Japan

Drew Six - photo credit: Will Patterson