Sunshine Coast highschool teacher Drew Wilson has released his first cover of John Waite’s 1984 hit song, “Missing You”.

It’s familiar, yet new. Equal parts yearning and loss. And every bit as memorable as the original.

Drew says while the song holds significant sentimental value, he never expected to release a cover song.

“It was the first song that was in my very first ever Guitar World magazine,” he says.

“Each month the mag would have articles, and four or five full songs tabbed out.

“My two older brothers and I would work our way through the magazines and would try and learn the songs.

“This was the first song I really learned back to front and I became obsessed with it.

“For me, purely, I just loved the instrumentation and Waite’s voice.

“When I think about the lyrics now it really is a sad and heartbreaking song because it signals the beginning of the end of a relationship.

“I actually never wanted to ever release a cover but by chance I did a live cover of it and posted it and some bloke from Medford, USA, said I should release it and I thought ‘why not’.

“It made sense.”

Another product of the successful long-term collaboration with music producer Craig Ross, “Missing You” brings the additional expertise of Josh Telford who finesses the track, delivering a fresh track which pays homage to the original.

His song, “What Would I Do”, also released this year, has a whopping 200,000+ Spotify monthly listeners.

Drew has been working the music scene for almost two decades, juggling teaching and family life, but it seems this year he is having his breakthrough moment, signing with JIBE in March.

“I’ve been doing this since I was early 20s and pushing independently. I’ve now finally signed a publishing and label deal and I’ve got that freedom to create and really give it a red hot crack.

“I’ve also been lucky having an amazing producer that I’ve worked so closely with and who gets my vision. Makes it easier to take the hands off the wheel.”

What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?

“I think I’ve built relationships with the local commercial stations over a long time. It doesn’t happen overnight and you have to be willing to say ‘yes’ a lot even when you think it’s not worth it.

“92.7 MixFM and 91.9 SeaFM have been being huge supporters of local music and giving me an opportunity by playlisting my songs alongside the likes of Ed, Taylor, Lewis, etc.

“I’ve failed a lot of times but just don’t have it in me to stop and give up.

“Persistence is key but you have to be able to back it up and I’ve been lucky enough to be able to do that.

“But I’ve got 12 singles set up to release over the next two years, and a great team behind me, and the determination and life learning.”

Biggest gig?

In front of 30,000+ at Suncorp Stadium.

Smallest gig?

Not sure. Maybe a house concert for the release of my “Carousel” album in 2012.

Band or solo venture?

“I have a band that I use for bigger shows, all mates of mine, but the solo thing just has to be done initially, because it’s the most cost-effective way to play shows.

“The working with others part is interesting. A lot of musicians/artists are control freaks. That’s why they don’t get anywhere. I’ve learned over time to take my hands off the wheel and give others an opportunity to drive.

“You get to see more along the way when you’re not driving.”

Does this mean the end of teaching?

“I’m still working hard on both. I love being a teacher so it’s so hard to give it up.

“At the moment I’m able to do both things so I’ll keep going.

“There’ll be a point in time hopefully when I won’t be able to and I’ll make that decision then.”