Drake Milligan: „Not Every Christmas Song Is Jolly“
Exclusive Country.de Interview with Drake Milligan.
A Drake Milligan Christmas. Photo Credit: © Eric Ryan Anderson (BBR, BMG)
With his Christmas EP „A Drake Milligan Christmas“, the Texas-born country singer brings together timeless holiday classics, original songs and a healthy dose of rock ’n’ roll. In an exclusive interview with Country.de, Drake Milligan talks about Christmas memories from home, the lasting influence of Elvis Presley and his hopes of returning to Europe in 2027.
Christmas albums often come wrapped in nostalgia, cheerful melodies and enough holiday spirit to last well into January. And there’s certainly plenty of that on Drake Milligan’s latest release. But for the young Texan, Christmas isn’t just about having a good time. It’s also about the people who make the season special, the memories we carry with us and sometimes the ones we wish were still by our side.
Released on October 9, 2026, his five-track EP „A Drake Milligan Christmas“ features familiar favorites such as „Silver Bells,“ „Sleigh Ride“ and „Here Comes Santa Claus,“ alongside original songs including „It Ain’t Really Christmas“ and „Cowgirl for Christmas.“
Musically, Milligan stays close to his roots. Traditional country, early rock ’n’ roll and the unmistakable influence of Elvis Presley have always been part of his musical identity, and Christmas seems like a natural opportunity to bring those influences together.
A Drake Milligan Christmas. Photo Credit: © Eric Ryan Anderson
Drake Milligan is no stranger to Country.de. We’ve had the pleasure of interviewing him twice before via video and have followed his career over the years. With his first Christmas EP now out, we wanted to catch up with him again and find out what inspired the project, which holiday traditions mean the most to him and whether European fans might see him back on stage in 2027.
We sent Drake five questions. Here are his answers, in his own words.
Christmas Memories from Texas
Country.de: Drake, you’ve always had a strong connection to classic country music and early rock ’n‘ roll. What inspired you to record a Christmas EP now, and what kind of holiday atmosphere did you want to capture?
Drake Milligan: Christmas music has always been a big part of the holidays for me, and some of my favorite Christmas songs come from the same artists who inspired me to make music in the first place. I’ve always loved that old-school country and rock ’n‘ roll sound, and I wanted to bring a little of that nostalgia into this project while putting my own spin on it. I wanted this EP to feel like the kind of Christmas I grew up with in Texas with family and friends getting together, good music playing, and everybody having a good time. Something that makes you want to turn it up, sing along, and maybe even do a little dancing around the Christmas tree.
Finding the Right Balance Between Classics and Originals
Country.de: Your EP combines Christmas classics such as „Silver Bells“ and „Here Comes Santa Claus“ with original songs. How did you choose the tracklist, and what makes these particular songs special to you?
Drake Milligan: I wanted to find a good balance between the Christmas classics everybody knows and loves and some original songs of my own. Songs like „Here Comes Santa Claus“ are special because I grew up listening to these kinds of records, so getting to put my own spin on those classics was a lot of fun. With the original songs, I wanted to add something of my own to the world of Christmas music. These songs bring together a lot of my own memories, influences, and just the kind of music I love.
When Christmas Doesn’t Feel Quite the Same
Country.de: „It Ain’t Really Christmas“ adds a personal touch to the EP. What’s the story behind the song, and how did the idea develop during the songwriting process?
Drake Milligan: The heart of „It Ain’t Really Christmas“ is the idea that the holidays just aren’t the same without that special person by your side. Christmas is such a meaningful time of year, but I think so much of what makes it special comes down to the people you get to share it with. I wanted to capture that feeling in a song as a reminder that it’s really the ones you love who make the season what it is. Not every Christmas song is jolly, which I also wanted to demonstrate on this EP. I like having a mix of all the different emotions that can come with the holiday season.
The Elvis Presley Connection
Country.de: You’ve mentioned Elvis Presley as one of your major musical influences. His Christmas recordings have become classics in their own right. Did his approach to Christmas music influence your arrangements or performances on this EP?
Drake Milligan: Absolutely. Elvis has been one of my biggest musical influences for as long as I can remember, both in his music and the way he carried himself onstage. Songs like „Blue Christmas“ have that ability to be both timeless and deeply personal, and that was something I wanted to capture with „It Ain’t Really Christmas.“ I also love how Elvis could take a song like „White Christmas“ or „Here Comes Santa Claus“ and make it his own while still respecting the original. That’s what I wanted to do with these classics, too. Being compared to Elvis in any way is always a huge compliment, so his influence definitely means a lot to me.
More European Shows in 2027?
Country.de: Looking beyond the Christmas season, what can your fans in Germany and across Europe look forward to in 2027? And is there anything you can already share about the Christmas movie you’ve been involved with?
Drake Milligan: I’ve had such an incredible time getting to play music for fans over in Germany and across Europe, and I’m looking forward to hopefully spending a whole lot more time over there in 2027! The energy those crowds bring is something special, and I can’t wait to keep sharing new music with fans around the world. As for the Christmas movie, it’s been a really fun experience getting to step back into that world and be part of something that celebrates the holiday season in such a massive way. I can’t give away too much just yet, but I’m excited for what’s to come!
A Little Texas, a Little Elvis and Plenty of Heart
Anyone who has followed Drake Milligan’s career knows that his affection for classic country and early rock ’n’ roll is more than a passing musical preference. It’s part of who he is as an artist. And while his Christmas EP certainly offers plenty of opportunities to turn up the volume and enjoy the festivities, there’s something else beneath the surface.
His thoughts on „It Ain’t Really Christmas“ are particularly revealing. For Milligan, the holiday season isn’t always about happiness and celebration. There’s room for longing, reflection and the simple realization that the people around us matter far more than the decorations.
And what about 2027? Well, European fans certainly have something to hope for. Milligan clearly enjoyed his previous visits and would love to return, although no specific tour dates have been announced in this interview.
Until then, „A Drake Milligan Christmas“ offers five songs that bring together the sounds he grew up loving and the memories that continue to shape his music. A little Texas, a little Elvis and, perhaps most importantly, a reminder that Christmas means different things to different people.
A Drake Milligan Christmas (EP)
Artist: Drake Milligan
Album: A Drake Milligan Christmas
Label: Stoney Creek Records (BBR, BMG)
Release Date: October 9, 2026
Formats: Digital (Streaming & Download)
Genre: Country, Christmas
Tracks: 5
Tracklist: A Drake Milligan Christmas
01. Silver Bells
02. It Ain’t Really Christmas
03. Sleigh Ride
04. Here Comes Santa Claus
05. Cowgirl For Christmas
Exclusive interview conducted by Country.de. Drake Milligan’s questions and answers are reproduced in their original English wording.
„A Drake Milligan Christmas“ – released October 9, 2026, via Stoney Creek Records / BMG.
Promotional photography: Eric Ryan Anderson. Images provided by Drake Milligan’s management.
🇩🇪 Deutsche Version lesen: Drake Milligan – „Nicht jeder Weihnachtssong muss fröhlich sein“
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