Worship Leader Drew Baxter has a passion to inspire and uplift believers with the sound of praise. He’s done just that with his brand new release, The World Needs You. The 12-track project finds the passionate worshipper stepping to the stage as a solo artist with a sound that’s already changing lives. The highly skilled psalmist, songwriter, producer, and musician, who has played for artists such as his uncle Douglas Miller, William Murphy, Martha Munizzi, Beverly Crawford, The Anointed Pace Sisters and the late Daryl Coley, has delivered a collection of music filled with new anthems of praise and fresh songs of worship. Understanding that God is the answer to all of society’s ills, Drew provides a musical response with The World Needs You, released on July 23, 2016.The World Needs You was six years in the making. Interestingly enough, the title track wasn’t even supposed to make it on the album, but later on Drew felt led to include it. Little did he know it would become the title of the CD. Although the project was just released, it’s making an impact already. Drew shares an amazing testimony from a person who purchased the new CD. He says, “A lady’s husband came to me one day and said that his wife had been diagnosed with cancer. He shared with me that the Holy Spirit told him that he should play The World Needs Youevery day for a week. Miraculously, after hearing the CD, the woman was healed from cancer.” It’s these kind of stories that reassure Drew that God has blessed the project.
One of the songs that has been getting great feedback is the CD’s lead single, “Holy Is Your Name”. A reverent and moving track, the song is pure worship. Drew’s heartfelt lead vocals and the soothing background vocals set the atmosphere for intimacy with the Lord. The track holds a special place in Drew’s heart. The lyrics came to him during a very challenging time in his life. “Last year my wife was pregnant with our second child,” he recounts, “and there were some complications. I heard God say, ‘I am a holy God; know that I am holy. Know that your second born child will be fine’”. As Drew expected, everything turned out fine.
Songs like the up-tempo “Awesome”, the touching “Where You Are” and the surrendering “Lord I Say Yes” are just a few of the musical jewels on the worship leader’s new release. Other memorable songs include “He’s Alive”, a celebratory track, “Reigns”, a reminder of the sovereignty of God, and the title tune, “The World Needs You”, a piano-driven plea to the Lord. Produced by the worshipper with songs penned by his wife Joanne and himself, The World Needs You was arranged by Drew and he played all the instruments as well.
The project is just a reflection of the music that’s been inside of Drew his entire life. He believes his musical start happened in the womb of his mother, Pastor Grace N. Baxter, as she listened to music. As a child, he took to the drums and wrote his first song at the age of 5. Soon after, he became proficient with the keyboard and the organ. By age ten, he was on the road full-time traveling with and playing for his father, Bishop Robert S. Baxter Sr., and his uncle, the legendary Gospel Singer Douglas Miller. His uncle groomed him and mentors him to this day. “It’s a blessing to have someone in your bloodline who has been out there for decades and knows the industry,” shares Drew. “It’s been great to be on the road with him and learn from him. I am thrilled that he recently celebrated 55 years in ministry.”
His first singing aggregation was Drew Baxter & New Inspiration of Praise (NIP) and the group caught the attention of the Gospel industry with their release, I Surrender. Since that time, Drew has been led to move further into music ministry as a solo artist and dropped his solo record, Just Drew, in 2013. Hot on the heels of the new project, The World Needs You, he will be releasing a Christian love album for married couples entitled Secrets Of Love in late October 2016.
