Locals appearing on Letterman

Published 1:00 am Friday, February 14, 2014

Drew Hassell and Clint May are part of Cole Swindell’s group which will peform twice on national television in the near future. This is the cover for an album also being released next week.

Drew Hassell and Clint May are part of Cole Swindell’s group which will peform twice on national television in the near future. This is the cover for an album also being released next week.

Two Covington County natives living a musician’s dream will make their national television debuts Tuesday night as part of the band for country singer Cole Swindell when he appears on “The Late Show with David Letterman.”

Drew Hassell, a 2006 Opp High School graduate, and Clint May, a 2006 Andalusia High School graduate, have been touring the country with Swindell since earlier this year. Hassell plays bass guitar in the band, while May plays bass guitar and provides back-up vocals.

The Covington County duo spoke to The Star-News earlier this year and said the experience playing for Swindell had been “surreal.”

“That first night after the show, I said, ‘Did we just do that?’ The number of people out there in the crowd is unreal,” May said. “It’s people as far as you can see. I looked under the brim of my hat only once during the show. I told Drew one time after a performance, ‘You do realize it’s three or four times the population of Andalusia that we’re playing for right now?’”

Since then, Swindell’s self-titled debut album has been released, with its first single, “Chillin’ It” receiving gold certification, according to musicnewsnashville.com.

In their previous interview, the duo looked ahead to what life would be like once a record deal was reached – a reality they are now living.

“You don’t want to get your hopes up,” May said in June. “But at the same time, it’s so incredible. A record deal for (Swindell) means that whatever tour he’s on, we’ll be there. I’m sure we’re about to be very busy. I feel like the cannon is about to be lit and explode – hopefully.”

Hassell and May are scheduled to appear with Swindell on the Letterman show Tues., Feb. 18. They are also scheduled to appear on “Good Morning America” Tues., March 18. “The Late Show with David Letterman” airs on CBS at 10:35 p.m. (CST). “Good Morning America” airs on ABC at 7 a.m. (CST).

Hassell is the son of Sam Hassell of Mobile and Leigh Hassell of Atlanta.

May is the son of Ben and Bonnie May of Andalusia.