As a McMinnville, Tennessee, native, Drew Green grew up just beyond earshot of Nashville’s storied country music industry. Now, after years of thriving as one of Music Row’s most prolific songwriters, the singer is poised for an equally fruitful artist career. With his debut track, “Little More Be Alright,” Green counts the blessings of his well-earned success. Lyrically, it’s a prayer of sorts — he gives thanks for what he has, while acknowledging that there’s always room for more when it comes to time spent with loved ones.

During a trivia night at a bar he frequented, patrons were invited to play songs as an interlude. He “dabbled” through a short set of covers, putting country treatment on tunes by Matchbox 20 and Goo Goo Dolls with his rich baritone and commanding stage presence. As he returned to his seat, a listener approached him.

“He turned out to be the owner of Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge in Nashville,” Green recalls. “He said, my son’s going to call you tomorrow morning.’ I was thinking, ‘yeah, right,’ but sure enough, my phone rang.”

That night, he performed at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge and, in a twist of fate, landed a part-time job as a house band singer. The gig reignited Green’s passion for playing music live, but it also demanded an hours-long commute from his home in Cookeville, Tennessee, to Nashville and back. The young singer powered through for six months, driven by his lifelong love of country music.

It’s worked so far. For the first time, however, with a collection of masterfully-crafted songs in the pipeline, he doesn’t have to worry about landing the next big country hits as a songwriter. He’ll be singing them.