A country star rising

For rising singer Eros Garcia, there’s one non-negotiable rule in country music: be authentic. The genre’s power, Garcia said, lies in its ability to connect with listeners through genuine stories and heartfelt experiences.

“That’s just the whole thing about country music, in my opinion, is that people want to listen to storytelling and, like, to something real, you know, straight from the heart,” he said.

At 17, Garcia formed and began managing his band The Drifters, playing in honky tonks and music venues across Texas. The band is scheduled to perform at “Vaqueros Boots and BBQ” at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Quad on the Edinburg campus.

The origin of the band’s name is rooted in a near-miss incident on a Texas road. While en route to a private event in San Benito, a last-minute directional change led to a drift through an intersection. 

The close call left the band shaken but also inspired its name. Reflecting on the incident, the band members joked about being “drifters,” and the name stuck.

“We’re like, ‘Golly, this is an experience. We’re over here, like, drifters, man,’” Garcia said. “It kind of just came out. … [We were] just drifting around, you know, just doing our thing, playing music.”

While the name may have been born out of a chance encounter, the band’s music is anything but accidental. 

Garcia describes their sounds as “relatable,” “vibing” and above all, good “ol’ Texas country.” 

The singer said their 2024 single, “Better Off Alone,” was written during a high school science class.

 “I was always getting in trouble for not paying attention,” Garcia said.

The song was later shared with the band but was initially set aside while it focused on cover songs. It was not until audience members began requesting original material that “Better Off Alone” was resurrected and added to its setlist.

The Rider asked Garcia if a debut album release could be expected soon.

“Hopefully, that’s in the works,” he replied. “We’re kind of trying to get into the studio … find time to do that but, definitely, it’s in the works, for sure.”

While Eros and The Drifters have shared the stage with established-country music stars, such as Wade Bowen, Clint Black and Eric Watson, the band points to a rising Texas artist as a key influence.

“It wasn’t hard to make up my mind on that one,” Garcia said. “As far as artists go, it’s definitely Braxton Keith.”

 The band members formed a close connection with Keith and his crew after opening for him at several shows. 

“Whenever we opened up for him … we all, you know, him and the whole crew, we all just got kind of cozy together, and everything was pretty cool,” Garcia said. 

The vocalist said the impact of Keith’s music and camaraderie has shaped their creative development, and he also acknowledges the honor of performing with artists they have come to admire over the years.

“When we got a chance to play with Wade Bowen, it was like, ‘Man …  your covers are in our set,’” Garcia said.

Early in his music career, he faced a pivotal moment in Nashville that nearly derailed his aspirations. Offered the opportunity to record a pre-written song with a producer, the artist quickly realized the pop-country sound clashed with his vision of authentic Texas country music.

“It just sounded like real pop country, which wasn’t anything that I was trying to get into,” Garcia said.

A fan of artists, such as George Strait and Keith Whitley, he felt the song lacked the heart of traditional country.

“I remember thinking … wanting to tell my mom, like, ‘I think I want to go home. Like, I don’t think I like this,’” Garcia said. 

He wanted to instead focus on putting together his band on his terms. While still in school, the artist formed a band, playing local gigs and honing their craft. The experience instilled a deep appreciation for authenticity and the importance of staying true to one’s musical vision.

“I think that’s one thing I would definitely tell other people or other artists … just trust your heart,” Garcia said. “It starts with, you know, your love and your passion for it.”

The Nashville experience, though initially discouraging, ultimately served as a catalyst, solidifying the artist’s commitment to his brand of Texas country.

“This is a dream that … you can wake up the next morning and it can be over,” Garcia said. “… You know you’re living on the edge, but that’s the whole point of a dream.”

The band will also perform at 9:30 p.m. Friday, Valentine’s Day, at Hillbilly’s, located at 6000 N. 10th St. in McAllen.

“Lovers get out there … get to two-stepping,” Garcia said. 

For upcoming tour dates and music releases, visit erosgarciamusic.com.