In 2005, Drew Seeley was working on his demo with producer/writer Ray Cham when an unexpected opportunity came his way. Seeley and Cham began writing a song for a small, original Disney Channel Movie that would change his life forever. The name of the song was “Getcha Head in the Game” from the pop culture phenomenon High School Musical. Not only would this film spawn two sequels, but the soundtrack would go on to quadruple platinum status (selling over 4,000,000 albums!) and garnered an Emmy nomination for Seeley and Cham for best original song. Seeley was also given the opportunity to be the singing voice of the character, “Troy,” (played by Zac Efron) for the first film. Because of the success of High School Musical, Seeley was immediately thrust into the Disney limelight and went on to star in the High School Musical Concert Tour, playing to arenas with 60,000 screaming fans. But in no way did Seeley live in the shadow of Efron, nor did he become trapped with the stigma that often follows many Disney stars. Drew Seeley saw opportunity and ran with it.
Since 2005, Seeley has written/performed on several soundtracks and albums, including Disney’s Jump In, Wizards of Waverly Place, Alvin and the Chipmunks and other compilation albums. Seeley also co-wrote and performed four songs for the film, Another Cinderella Story, which he starred in with Selena Gomez. His song, “New Classic,” spent two months on Radio Disney’s Top 10 and the music video has had more than 2 million views on youtube. Seeley even went on to star on Broadway as Prince Eric in “Disney’s The Little Mermaid.”
In part one of our interview, Seeley and I take it back to his early years as a model in Toronto and then in 1994 when he was cast as Hal Prince’s rival in Showboat. Seeley candidly speaks about his journey to Los Angeles and his job as a “hot rice scooper” at P.F. Chang’s to having a taste of mega-success during his involvement with High School Musical. We have an interesting and thought-provoking segment on Seeley’s definition of success and how he approaches his career. Part one ends on a somber note as we discuss the tragic death of Seeley’s friend and “Getcha Head in the Game” co-writer/producer Ray Cham.
Part two is all about Drew Seeley’s debut album, The Resolution (now available on iTunes). Seeley describes his album as a “story album” as the music unfolds like a three act play. I wanted to know why Seeley chose to release and produce his album on his terms and through his own label. Seeley candidly speaks about the musical process of making The Resolution and his musical influences. We also talk about Seeley’s recent television series Glory Daze (currently seen on TBS), which was a starring vehicle for him but unfortunately was not picked up for a second season.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I was invited to interview Drew Seeley, but I was pleasantly surprised by a multi-talented, humble, and all-around nice guy. I strongly recommend you check out The Resolution and follow the long career Drew Seeley has coming his way. He’s an extraordinary talent who truly deserves all that will come his way. www.drewseeley.com
| Posted by Josh on March 8, 2011 @ 11:03 AM |  |
Thank God Drew didn’t get sucked into that Disney machine. He knows exactly what he’s doing and it shows. Best of luck Drew
Comment by mark — March 8, 2011 @ 12:17 PM
At first I thought this interview was a snoozefest but I found myself get sucked into it. By the end of the first video I was almost in tears. I’m about to watch it again with my complete attention. Great work to Drew/Josh
Comment by Candy — March 8, 2011 @ 12:25 PM
Such a great interview! Drew is such an amazing talent and has such a bright future ahead of him in the musical/entertainment industries and I so look forward to following his career and journey for years to come. I think that one of the greatest things about Drew though is that not only is he extremely talented, but he seems to be a great person as well and that is so rare in today’s world. I think that being so grounded and respectful to his fans will be the driving force of keeping him one of today’s hottest talents in young hollywood. :)
Comment by Jill — March 8, 2011 @ 1:10 PM
Hi, Josh: I love the way in which you made it.So funny.
Comment by Clara — March 9, 2011 @ 10:09 AM
really like it! Drew is cool and has talent!
Josh,you’re the best!
Comment by Kari — March 9, 2011 @ 1:46 PM
Hi, Josh:
I must confess, it`s one of my favorite interview. Why ?, well, many years ago I thought (specially when i took one magazine or watched one interview on TV) : “peoples ask fool things when they are “front” their favourite Artist and I´ve a better asks sure” This feeling or thought was more deep in some situations: I watched in a mexican TV Show one intreview by Olivia with Enrique Iglesias. There, the fans didn´t ask, they only said: “Please,Enrique, gimme a kiss or send a rigard to me…” and I remember, I felt irritated cause they wasted their opportunity to ask some interesting for they, but specially for Enrique Iglesias. The same when I was reading some articles where the journalist asked to 2 actors:” Do you believe in the paranormal activity?”And I said in this moment:”of course, all fans know the answer of this question, but why didn`t he/she ask what happen with the change of colour of hair of one character in the comic?”
Other situation that I didnt understand was when I watched one TV show of Spain (this shows where the peoples meet to their favourites artist) where one child met to the soccer player Redondo, there( the girl) when she saw him, she didnt wants to look to him.And i said: “This girl is a fool; How do she say I LOVE TO HIM, and late she cant to look to Redondo?”. But when the years passed by, I understand how difficult can be to formulate in short lines a good conversation when you`ve into you a big feeling respect it, or perhaps you try to express someting but you dont find the correct way to say. Well, itsn`t 1 excuse to the bad ask of journalist, but specially to the bad ask of fans who make of the ask one way to satisfy the narcissus` complex.
Well I made this laaaaaaaaaaarge introduction to express one thing that I feel when I make my asks. Sometimes,the questions are flowed and I make many asks, other times,I dont meet in deep way to the people (or I think her/him fans meet him/her more) so what I try to go to the uncommon sides,and the result:my asks are more incomprehensible or can to be interpretate in a different way, so what it seems like the asks of Rolling Stone Magazine. I say it cause from that I watch WithJosh I understand how difficult can to be to make one good and interesting ask, and create a good conversation with the other person front you. This activity so easy for me in the past, is a great capacity that I admirate of you, Josh; and now, I know, it`s very difficult to make, cause:How do you do a good ask in every interview?, and you make new all the things in every interview ever.You make all good, specially when you recive so wrong ask like my asks!!! Josh: you`re a great host, you`ve the power to make all in perfect way.
And now, Drew!, well, I must confesse other thing: Drew is my favourite Pop Icon of all peoples who talked with you, Josh. Yeah! And I want to make 1 declaration respect to the @cartersucre`s tweet: yes, I said:”This dance with Selena Gomez is not Tango; Selena danced bad this Tango/salsa”, but this fool tweet was a support to BabyJoshita who`s a bit Jealous respect Justin B., ha! Moroever, I born in B.A but I dont know how to Dance Tango(that shame!).
Drew is my favorite first, cause his performance like artist is great: only a few of pepoles can to feel passion and adrenaline when dance in this way: more than the Tango scene, the scene when Drew and Selena dance separate for one mirror was supreme; It was the emotional equivalent to the video of Foo Fighters “Walkin`after You”:this feeling of near into the far is so sensual; it`s like the sensibility into the platonic; and I like it. I believe, that in this scene i said:”Wow, this boy is a great actor”. Well, I want to say that other thing that make feel cool respect him was his apparence into Dawson`S.
But the first reasson to think on him like my favourite is that he tweeted respect Josh, he took time to watch the show, and talk bout it.So what Drew: THANX!
Well, Josh: Congrats for your Work and your passion, you`re the uniq, the number 1 for me!!!!!!!!!
Love you with all my heart, Schweny.
Comment by Dheniss — March 10, 2011 @ 2:33 PM
Hi, Josh!!!!!! I´m very very HAPPY!, and i want say Thank you, Josh, because you give us the best ever. Yeah! it`s a great interview, Drew Seeley is a big and wonderful actor, and complete artist. And he`s so Lindo!, but no more you, Josh.
Hey, Dheniss”Schweny”: Yeah, you said: Selena is aghhhw!, ha!, well, Dheniss: you`re writing so large and i dont understand nada!
Josh: I love you.
Comment by Carter — March 14, 2011 @ 9:31 AM
I love your conversation with Drew.He loves the coffe like me!!!
You`re so great, Josh!!!!
what´s about Selena???
Comment by Marian — March 16, 2011 @ 12:51 PM
Hi:
My congratulations to you Josh Skinner; i like this interview, i apreciate how he loves his work in the Disney `series.
Comment by Gigi — March 17, 2011 @ 11:06 AM
This interview is amazing. Drew is a great guy; my daughter listen to High School Musical everytime, she loves it!
Comment by Ruth — March 25, 2011 @ 7:13 AM
It`s a good interview. High school`fans love it.
Comment by solange — March 26, 2011 @ 12:41 PM
Hi, Josh!!!!
I love your interview with Drew, Loca with it!!!!!
Josh: You`re my love, lovely!!
Comment by Tin@ — March 30, 2011 @ 11:11 AM
I love High school musical; it put a own way to my generation. Thanx Josh Skinner.
Comment by romi — April 7, 2011 @ 7:00 AM
Fantastic interview!!! Drew is great and you more, Josh. I love you.
Comment by Clara — April 27, 2011 @ 11:45 AM
Very nice guy.
Comment by cami — May 18, 2011 @ 12:54 PM
Very nice guy. I love this interview.
Comment by cami — May 18, 2011 @ 12:55 PM
Very nice guy. I love this interview. Girls:you`ve the reason respect Josh: he `s so nice.
Comment by cami — May 18, 2011 @ 12:56 PM