The Story

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My name is Drewin Young and I am an American musician, singer and songwriter born in Northridge, California. I grew up surfing the West coast while discovering my passion for music and film narrative. 

My involvement with film first began when I became an intern at American Film Institute (A.F.I.) in Los Angeles, CA. At that time I was also attending College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, CA to obtain my Associate Degree. I was also working at Whole Foods Market at the time and started a wedding videography business, but more on that later.

After junior college, I transferred to the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) and earned my BA degree in Film Studies in 2004. Producer and film professor Sarah Pillsbury (Desperately Seeking Susan) taught me the art of the film industry by weekly interviewing special guests like Robert Zemeckis. The day that Pillsbury brought Zemeckis into the class, I got to express my appreciation for Zemeckis by saying, “Mr. Zemeckis, I just want to let you know that I play live music every week because of the Johnny B. Goode scene in Back To The Future! So, thank you! That was my favorite movie growing up!” Everyone applauded, and Zemeckis acknowledged the compliment. 

During my studies at UCSB, I attended a music supervision class under professor and filmmaker Allison Anders (Four Rooms) where I learned the importance of music and film being bridged together to create a certain mood and or expression. I loved this idea! My first music film Express Lane won Best Music Video Award at the International Student Film Festival, Hollywood. I also went on to win two more awards for my next short music film The Irish Cowboy at Moondance International Film Festival & Backlot Film Festival. I wrote, directed and edited all of these works. 

Now back to my wedding videography business: During my time in college, I had started a wedding videography business known as the "first" Young Dempsey Productions. This business helped me learn about the importance of human connection while at the same time, funding part of my tuition at UCSB. Wedding videography is also where I learned the power of editing. I immediately combined both my love for live music and videography in this field. For example: I would film the wedding ceremony with two cameras (my assistant & myself). Then I would jump on stage and entertain the wedding party and their guests with my band performing during the reception. My assistant would then do most of the film work by catching the rest of the night for me on camera. I would then take the footage home and edit it for my client. This is how I cornered the wedding market, by providing videography, live entertainment, DJ and MC services.

After graduating college, I found years of success performing live nationally and locally as frontman and leader of my Johnny Cash tribute band The Walking Phoenixes. My other bands Red Muffs and Young Dempsey had also become quite popular in the Los Angeles and Ventura County areas. Throughout the decades of performing, we had built quality relationships with clients and venues that are strong until this very day. 

In 2019, my girlfriend Carrie (who is now my wife) found out she was pregnant with our son. Doctors said our son Luke may not live due to the bone condition he would have. That condition is known as Osteogenesis Imperfecta AKA Brittle Bone Disease. Of course we were devastated, but we kept the faith that God would get us through with His plan, not ours. About six months into the pregnancy, we were then asked to foster little Jacob, who is now our son by adoption.  On July 4th, 2019 we took Jacob home. He was barely a month old. Carrie was six months pregnant. 

Then on October 28th, 2019 Luke was born. He was a miracle. It was literally a miracle with what happened. That story is too in depth to even get into, but one day I will do a documentary on it. I have to. Luke indeed has this bone condition, but he is the happiest kid. Jacob and Luke are best friends. They are brothers now and they are only a few months apart. We couldn't be more blessed!

Long story short....or now long, Carrie and myself decided that moving to Tennessee would be the best choice for our family. Being a California native, this pulled on many heart strings for myself. However it was the best decision we could make. We moved to the Nashville area in summer of 2022.

I walked away from everything, including my parents and siblings. It was very hard. It was a leap of faith. I just knew God was calling me to be in Tennessee for some reason. I just wasn't sure what that reason was. However, about five months of living in Tennessee, God revealed His plan, and then it happened.....

Today I am embarking on a very special documentary. For now, I will leave it at that as God leads me through this incredible journey.

- Drewin B. Young