Johnny and June. Sonny and Cher. The music industry has seen some magnetic husband-wife duos over the years — couples whose connection transcends their melodies and whose lyrics draw us in like we’re sitting in on a concert in their living room. Drew and Ellie Holcomb are up there with the best of them — one need only listen to their duet “Feels Like Home” for a glimpse into their life together. We caught up with the talented pair to hear how they met, what inspires them, where you can catch Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors in concert (sometimes with Ellie, too!), and much more.
First things first. Who or what inspired your music career?
Drew: Like many people, I was a big music fan and started playing guitar when I was a kid. Right before college, I lost a brother — it’s kind of a long story, but tragedy led me to songwriting. I just love live music so much that I thought I would give this a try. For me, people like David Gray, Damien Rice, Bob Dylan, and Tom Petty made me want to give it a go. So, I moved back to Memphis from Knoxville and got a job at a studio. I started playing every weekend when I could around Memphis. That turned into Nashville, Oxford, Knoxville, and a few other places.
Meanwhile, Ellie was just a friend who lived in Knoxville. We sang a bit back in the day, but once I started making records and touring, I asked her to come sing with me … And she finally agreed to date me. She was a school teacher and swore she would never play music.
Ellie: I taught English. Eighth grade. So, it was never boring! I love teaching and got my master’s in education. I grew up in Nashville. My dad’s a producer, so I was singing on records from the time I was six years old. I knew I would always sing in my life, but I really thought it would be in the classroom. I swore I’d never marry or become a musician because I felt from a young age that doing music costs you something. You have to leave your family and home. So, I didn’t think I would end up doing this as my career.
In the same breath, I’ve always processed through writing songs — my faith, heartbreaks in college — I was like a bad version of Taylor Swift. I was singing in the dorm room stairwell so I wouldn’t wake up my roommate. Also, it sounded really good in there! But inevitably, I would have my eyes closed singing these songs about being heartbroken, and the stairwells would line with girls — some sober, some not — who would sit down and tell me their stories just because I played a song. I learned that music was a bridge builder connecting our stories to each other. I think that’s what’s always drawn me into it.
Is there a fun meet-cute story about how you met and began dating?
Drew: We met at a pregame tailgate barbecue in Knoxville. At the time, I was getting my pilot’s license. I was talking to a friend, and he’s like, “This is my friend, Ellie.” And she asked, “Hey, what did you do today?” I’d just soloed for the first time and said, “Actually, I just flew an airplane.” She was very impressed by that. Then, I didn’t see her again for about seven months, and I was at a party where she was being introduced to me again.
We were in a big group of people, and when it got to me, they said, “This is Drew.” She said, “Wait a minute, aren’t you a pilot?” I proudly said, “Yes, I am,” then said, “Who told you that?” She went, “Um, you did.”
Ellie: It’s a full-circle thing because he didn’t fly for a long time. When we were dating, he was in Memphis. He graduated early and was working at a studio there, and he would fly to see me, which was really sweet. Now, he’s flying us to our shows about 30% of the time.
What can you tell us about the new Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors album Strangers No More?
Drew: It’s sort of my first post-COVID release. I put out a bunch of random songs, but this is my first proper record. It’s really about the band realizing how much we love what we do after being forced to take time off. It was a joy-filled experience musically and songwriting-wise that made for what I think is my favorite record. It’s about connection, community, friendship, the passage of time … that joy and tragedy tension that’s good fodder for a lot of songwriting.
Ellie, what are you up to musically?
Ellie: I thought I was quitting to be a stay-at-home mom, but I’m usually working out my faith in songs. So, I started that journey. After I got pregnant, I kept writing songs about Jesus. Drew was like, “We’re trying to write for the band,” and I’d be like, “Well, I wrote another one about my faith. Sorry.” He said, “Why don’t you just write what’s coming out of you?”
By the end of nine months, I had a new baby girl to hold and about 45 new songs to sing. I kind of accidentally launched a music career that just connected with people. I write pretty honest songs wrestling through doubt and trying to hold on to the light. That struck a chord with a lot of people, and I’m so grateful.
Now, Drew and the Neighbors do their touring. I have this other lane I’ve been in, and then we come together at Christmas and in February to tour together; it’s been a really beautiful amalgamation of all the gifts we have and the things we love. And we bring our kids along the way!
Tell us about your upcoming tour.
Drew: We have two Neighbors shows at The Ryman in May — part of the Strangers No More tour — but Ellie will definitely make an appearance! When we recorded Strangers No More, we actually recorded 22 songs, so a bunch of new songs are going to come out from the rest of the sessions. That show will be particularly fun because we will be dipping into the depth of the catalog and playing many of these new songs as well.
Editor’s note: Check the official band website for a list of tour dates in North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, and beyond!
You often collaborate with other artists — Johnnyswim comes to mind. What are some of your favorite collaborations, and do you have any on the horizon?
Drew: We’ve got some new songs of our own — just the two of us — coming soon. I always like to write and record a song with whoever’s opening my tour, so I’m working on that with Donovan Woods. We haven’t nailed a release on that yet, but we’ve written a song together, and we’ve got some special surprise guests on [upcoming music] that I’m really excited about.
Ellie: We toured for many years with NEEDTOBREATHE — they’re dear friends, and it’s always fun to write with them. Natalie Hemby is an incredible songwriter who we both love to work with.
Do you have a favorite song you’ve collaborated on together?
Drew: Probably “Feels Like Home.”
Ellie: We were asked by the state of Tennessee during COVID to jump in an Airstream with our kids and travel all over the state. And they’re like, “Plus, you can sit around the fire at night and write songs, and we’ll film it!” And we said, “That’s going to be terrible; that sounds awful.” But it’s some of our favorite stuff we’ve written together. “Feels Like Home” name checks Dolly Parton, and we had an opportunity at an award ceremony to perform one of her songs and then “Feels Like Home.” She gave us a standing ovation.
Drew: We got to meet her. It was really, really cool.
Ellie: And then we retired. (Laughs) We were like, “We’ve arrived.”
Who are some great local artists we should have on our radar?
Drew: There’s a local guy named Stephen Wilson Jr. who put out a record called Son of Dad, and he’s starting to make a name for himself, but it’s a tremendous album. Honestly, it’s kind of a Magnus Opus. That’s the one that has most blown me away this year. There’s a young guy named JD Clayton, who I think is really good. And we have a friend named Taylor Leonhardt who put out a record we really like.
Ellie: Oh my gosh, Taylor. Keep your eyes peeled.
Drew: And then there’s this young woman named Jac Thompson. She has a song called “Pull My Chute” that you should go listen to. She has actually been running merch for us, but she’s really an artist who’s running merch to help find money to pay for a career.
Ellie: I think the world’s going to know that girl. She’s unbelievable.
Both of you are native Tennesseans. What local spots do you look forward to most when you return from tour?
Drew: Honestly, the first bit is that I just want to be in my house with my kids. But we live on [Nashville’s] East side, so that’s the great thing here. There are so many spots we’ve been walking to for almost two decades now. Obviously, the neighborhood’s changing — we’ve started to see favorite things go away and new things pop up — but we’re definitely big Lockeland Table fans. And Cafe Roze.
Ellie: Five Points Pizza is always a hit.
Drew: There are so many great coffee shops in the neighborhood. But I think going on a walk in the neighborhood is one of my favorite things to do when I get home from a tour — just to reacquaint myself.
Ellie: If we’re doing a family activity, I’d have to say it’d be either walking or riding bikes at Cornelia Fort. The Greenway is so wonderful; I’m so grateful for that place! With our neighborhood, our people are here. So, one of my other favorite things is that when we’re walking anywhere, we’ll pass a friend.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Drew: My dad told me to be patient. Basically, Ellie kind of put me on the ropes and said, “I need space.” But then I found out this other guy was trying to work his way into the situation. I was like, “Oh, man. I’ve got to make a move here.” And my dad said, “Why don’t you do what she asked for and go live your life?” But the real piece of advice — the simplified version — was, “Why don’t you go live a life someone wants to be a part of instead of sitting around and waiting on them to join you?”
Ellie: No one wants to be the end of the story; they want to be swept up into it.
My grandmother told me, “Marry someone who will make you laugh.” Honestly, that’s a great piece of advice. I did it, and I’m glad!
Outside of faith, family, and friends, what are three things you can’t live without?
Ellie: Dry Shampoo. That’s pretty necessary to our lifestyle. Another one that sustains me is poetry. I need some poetry in my life. Music is poetry, so they kind of go hand-in-hand. And a dance party with the kids, which elicits laughter.
Drew: Peanut butter, my Mike Frank’s custom guitar, and a watch.
LIGHTING ROUND:
Do you have a favorite local music venue to play or see shows?
Ellie: The Ryman! It’s our favorite place to see a show; it’s our favorite place to play. Our first date was also at The Ryman, which is neat. We saw Patty Griffin in 2005.
What is your most recent memorable meal, and where were you?
Ellie: Mine is probably Luogo. We just went to Italy last summer with my family. You eat well in Italy, and that’s the first place I’ve been that felt like I was back in Italy.
Drew: I was on tour with The Head and the Heart, and there’s this ridiculous restaurant called Moosewood. I’m not typically a vegan restaurant connoisseur, but I went there because they got rave reviews, and it was the best bowl of butternut squash soup I’ve ever eaten in my life. And we ate at Noko recently, which was really good.
Favorite hidden gem in Nashville?
Drew: Dino’s late night!
Ellie: It looks terrible from the outside, but it’s a wonderful place. There’s a great back patio, and their burger is delicious. It’s one of our favorite places to meet up with friends. And we love Roberta’s Pizza, which isn’t really a hidden gem, but it’s on the backside of Urban Cowboy. If you walk into the hotel, there’s a wine bar with a great selection. So, you can have Roberta’s Pizza, which has unbelievable wood-fired pizza, and a great bottle of wine in a spot that feels like you’re in a movie. And they have the best hot toddy in the world at Urban Cowboy! They shave cinnamon on the top of it! Go on a really cold night.
What’s at the top of your travel bucket list?
Ellie: We really want to do Kilimanjaro. This is probably our best marriage advice — every five years, we do an adventure together. We do something hard. We did Teton for our last one. And we were supposed to be Kilimanjaro, but … COVID. That’s our next one to tackle. It has been a beautiful rhythm.
All photography courtesy of Ashtin Paige.
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