In early June, Drew Baldridge shared his debut album, Dirt on Us. The singer describes his 13-track record as "funktry" -- his own blend of country and more funky styles -- and while he's proud of the finished product, Baldridge admits that he's also a bit "nervous" about how the album will be received.

"I’ve worked really hard on this album," Baldridge tells The Boot. "I’m just trying to live day by day and enjoy the moments I’m in."

Dirt on Us, Baldridge explains, was largely influenced by his upbringing in the tiny town of Patoka, Ill., and his varied musical favorites: Earth Wind & Fire, Michael Jackson and Huey Lewis and the News among them.

"I really owe to my record label for letting me [have] 100-percent freedom on making this record, and not making me live in a box," Baldridge notes, adding of his hometown's stamp on his music, "I graduated with 22 kids. So, there’s a lot of small town to it. You can tell a little bit of who I am, where I’m from, how I grew up.

"I think the first record that you make needs to tell a lot about your stuff," he continues. "It needs to say where you come from, how you live your life, and I think this record does that."

Dirt on Us isn't just applicable to Baldridge's life, though. The artist says that the disc shows the depth and durability of those who grew up in similar situations.

“You know, we got a lot of dirt on us: We work really, really hard,” Baldridge explains. “It makes sense for where we’re at right now; it shows all the hard work that we’ve done.”

Dirt on Us is available for purchase on iTunes and Amazon.

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