NEW YEAR FOR MUSIC MOMENTUM: Drew Massey talks new beginnings ahead of Blue Karma’s release show with The Queen’s Giant

Mark Herbert
Dec 29, 2025
4 min read

Updated: Dec 30, 2025

In a town like Wilmington, where musicians often wear multiple hats, Drew Massey has quietly become one of the connective threads of the local music scene tapestry. A seasoned drummer and the founder of Massey Booking Agency, Massey has spent nearly two decades navigating the shifting realities of live music—from touring bands and original projects to venue relationships and post-COVID survival.

Ahead of his band Blue Karma’s appearnace with The Queen’s Giant release show this New Year’s Eve at Bourgie Nights, we sat down to talk about music, community, and why moments like this matter after a tough year or two.

Mark Herbert (MH): You’ve had a pretty full year personally and professionally. How are you doing right now?

Drew Massey (DM): It’s been quite a year. I’ve had some health stuff I’ve been working through, and just when I started feeling better, my dog was diagnosed with cancer. That’s been really hard. You just feel helpless. At this point, it’s about quality of life and doing everything we can. That kind of thing definitely puts everything else in perspective.

MH: A lot of people, including myself, are rooting for your health recovery and sending well wishes for the later stages of your four-legged family member. I know it’s really tough. Tell us more about your band Blue Karma:

DM: I’ve been with Blue Karma for almost three years now. Jacob Adams, the frontman, had been around for a while and had gone through different drummers. I’d always genuinely liked their music; I listened to it on my own, which isn’t always the case with original projects.

When he reached out, it felt right. There aren’t many original bands where I think, “Yeah, I’d be listening to this even if I wasn’t involved.” Being part of something you actually believe in makes all the difference.

MH: You’ve been part of a lot of projects over the years, such as Groove Fetish, Speakeasy, Massey’s Martians, Slick Mahonies. How do you look back on that time?

DM: Groove Fetish was the first band where everything really clicked — touring, recording, the chemistry, the vibe. That felt like what being a touring musician was supposed to be. Slick Mahonies was my baby for nine years; it was just two of us, and I created all the tracks.

What you realize later is that those moments are special. When you’re in them, you don’t always know it. Years go by, people get married, priorities change, and suddenly it’s hard to get everyone in the same room again.

MH: You’ve also been booking shows in Wilmington for a long time. How did that start?

DM: I’m in year 18 of booking now. I started at Dockside back in 2007, I actually worked in the kitchen there. They knew I was into music and gave me a shot. One thing led to another, and before I knew it I was booking for 17 venues at once.

Then COVID hit, and overnight I went from 17 venues to zero. I lost everything. It was either rebuild or find something else to do.

MH: That had to be brutal.

DM: It was. Some venues never came back to live music. Others came back slowly. Right now I’m only booking a handful of places, especially in the off-season. It’s a constant rebuild.

People don’t always realize how thin the margins are — or how little the money has changed. It’s 2025, and bands are often making what they made 30 years ago, while everything else costs more.

MH: You’re often the middleman between venues and musicians. What’s the hardest part of that?

DM: Expectations that I can fit everyone in everywhere. I'm stuck in the middle trying to make something work for the venue and keep people who have been working with me for a long time happy, and there are a lot of talented musicians eager to play.

I’ve been the touring musician who barely had gas money, and I’ve been the booking agent people are frustrated with. Seeing both sides is why I only work with venues now. I don’t want to put artists in bad situations just to make a commission.

MH: For younger bands trying to break in, what advice would you give?

DM: Treat every email like it’s your one shot. Send a full press kit. High-quality video matters. If you don’t invest in yourself, why should anyone else?

When someone sends me something polished (good sound, good visuals) I want to share that with venues. It makes my job easier, and it shows they take this seriously.

MH: Let’s talk about this New Year’s Eve show. I know that this is your first show playing out since you got injured.

DM: This is one of those moments that doesn’t come around often. Blue Karma is making music we really believe in—and sharing the night with The Queen’s Giant, who are an incredible band releasing a great new album. There’s something powerful about original music being celebrated on a night like New Year’s Eve.

It’s not just another gig. It’s a statement that this scene is still alive, still evolving, and still worth showing up for.

MH: Thanks for your time Drew and I know this will be a fantastic show. Final thoughts?

DM: Live music only works if people support it. These nights don’t happen by accident. If you care about original music, community, and seeing bands at their best—this is one of those shows you’ll remember.

Don’t miss it!