We caught up with Gabriel Grizzard, drummer for Bayker Blankenship, to talk about how he got the gig, life on the road, and the biggest moments so far in his touring career.
How did you end up playing drums for Bayker Blankenship?
“I got lucky there. I had just graduated high school a year early and was in my first semester of college when I got the call.
The guitar player, Eddy, got recommended for the gig by Sean Thompson, who plays with Margo Price. He had been talking to Bayker’s manager at a show and found out Bayker needed a band for the road. Eddy called me and Boyd, our bass player, and asked if we wanted to audition. We all went for it and ended up making the cut.
All three of us went to high school together too, so it’s been unreal getting to travel the world with my best friends.”
What’s your favorite song to play live right now?
“Probably ‘300 Miles.’ It’s fast, there’s a lot going on, and it keeps me locked in every night. The crowd really reacts to it too, which makes it even better.
We also do a cover of an unreleased Tyler Childers song called ‘Redneck Romeo,’ and we turn it into a disco groove at the end. That one’s always fun.”
What’s one thing fans don’t realize about being on the road?
“We don’t really get to see much of the places we go. It’s usually travel, soundcheck, show, and then onto the next city.
If you’re lucky you get a few hours to explore, but most of the time it moves fast. I try to make time to see places when I can, though.”
What’s been your craziest or most memorable show so far?
“Our first arena show stands out for sure. It was January 2025, early in Bayker’s first full band headlining tour. We were co-headlining in West Virginia for ‘Bulls, Bands, and Barrels’ with Gavin Adcock.
It was completely sold out. I remember walking off stage thinking, ‘holy shit, I’m really doing this.’”
What advice would you give to someone trying to get into drumming or touring?
“Be yourself, create your own luck, and never let go of the dream.
Be a good person first—people want someone they can travel and work with every day. Put yourself out there, meet people, go to shows, and build relationships. A lot of this is who you know.
And don’t stop believing in it. I used to watch tour vlogs every night wishing I could do it. Now I am. If you stay consistent, it really can happen.”
Backstory: Bayker Blankenship
Bayker Blankenship is an emerging country artist known for blending traditional storytelling with a modern, high-energy live show. Building momentum through relentless touring and word-of-mouth buzz, he’s quickly developed a reputation for connecting with fans in a raw and authentic way.
Coming up through small-town influences and a DIY approach to early music releases, Bayker’s sound sits in that lane of country where grit, melody, and lived-in storytelling all meet. His live shows are a major part of his rise—often backed by tight-knit musicians like Gabriel Grizzard and his band, who bring a fast, dynamic edge to the performances.
As his catalog continues to grow and his touring schedule expands, Bayker has become part of a new wave of country artists breaking through by building real momentum on the road rather than overnight virality.
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