WHITEHALL — When Whitehall High School graduate Isaac Love was introduced to music at a young age, he likely never dreamed he’d one day be part of a chart-climbing hit and perform on The Tonight Show.
That’s exactly what’s happened, as Love is now a drummer for country solo artist George Birge’s band. Birge currently holds the #2 spot on the Billboard country charts with his song “Mind on You.” Birge and his band, including Love, are scheduled to perform on the Jimmy Fallon-helmed Tonight Show Monday night.
Love’s great-uncle saw a talent in him when Love was young and helped teach him to play.
“He was a musician,” Love said of his great-uncle. “He was actually a conductor of an orchestra in Florida. He was a college professor and taught music. It was my dad’s (Troy) uncle. He would come up to Michigan in the summers. He saw that interest in me and taught me how to play drums. I was about nine years old when I started playing on a real drum set.”
Love, a basketball star for the Vikings, graduated from Whitehall in 2013 and played basketball at Spring Arbor University as well. He kept playing the drums while in college.
“I did school band with Vince Browand, who taught me,” said Love. “He took me under his wing as well. He was a good drummer and the band director when I was there. I had a few ‘garage bands’ and played a lot at White Lake Evangelical (Covenant) Church. I took any opportunity I could to apply my skills.”
Love was offered the opportunity to join Birge’s band in Nashville a year ago.
“I had been in bands with our guitar player,” Love said. “We had played together previously and he got a call to play with George. They were needing a new drummer and Reed (the guitarist) called me.
“Music has shown me how good God can be and how he can place something in your path. He has a purpose for you. For me, it was about taking risks and moving here to Nashville, doing these things that didn’t really make sense. You’re not sure if that’s what He wants you to do or how you want it to go, but you can look back at this. I’m now having some success, so I could look back and see God has brought me a long way. I know music can mean a lot of things to a lot of people, but me as a musician, it’s always been something I love and it’s something He placed in me. I believe it’s what He’s called me to do, and where He’s helped me and given me a lot of really cool opportunities.”
