The c2c sit down with blake proehl
North Carolina native, BLAKE PROEHL always had his sights set on the NFL, inspired by the legacy his father, Ricky Proehl, has built in world of profession football. However, in 2021, while playing for the Minnesota Vikings, he suffered a severe leg injury that changed the course of his life. Fortunately for us, that course would lead him to country music. As he looks to grow a worldwide fanbase, Blake recently headed to Europe for the first time to play at C2C in Berlin and London. Between sets in Berlin we sat down with Blake to find out more about his journey so far.
Welcome to Berlin.
Thanks for having me. It’s gorgeous today. I haven’t seen the skyline like this yet, so this is nice.
These are some great bars to get these views from—it’s absolutely awesome. And it’s right on the Spree. You’ve got the Berlin Wall there as well.
That's the wall? That’s so cool. This is my first time in Europe so I’m trying to take it all in.
I guess going back five years, you thought your first time to Europe would be part of an NFL Europe game—and now it’s music.
It’s crazy. It’s insane. The switch of events is pretty crazy. It’s not something you can make up really, so it’s been a crazy journey, but I’m really happy to be here.
When you started to make that transition from football to music, what was your initial hopes when you said, "Right, I'm gonna give music a go"?
Yeah, I think when I went on American Idol and there was such a big positive response, that was the validation for me that singing was in the cards and part of my purpose. After American Idol, I went full in on music.
What made you want to go to Idol?
Honestly, I did my first show right before American Idol, and seeing the fans and the impact my music had on people—it was that magic in the air you can’t really put into words. That’s when I fully fell in love with making music and performing live. That was the turning point.
Welcome to Berlin.
Thanks for having me. It’s gorgeous today. I haven’t seen the skyline like this yet, so this is nice.
These are some great bars to get these views from—it’s absolutely awesome. And it’s right on the Spree. You’ve got the Berlin Wall there as well.
That's the wall? That’s so cool. This is my first time in Europe so I’m trying to take it all in.
I guess going back five years, you thought your first time to Europe would be part of an NFL Europe game—and now it’s music.
It’s crazy. It’s insane. The switch of events is pretty crazy. It’s not something you can make up really, so it’s been a crazy journey, but I’m really happy to be here.
When you started to make that transition from football to music, what was your initial hopes when you said, "Right, I'm gonna give music a go"?
Yeah, I think when I went on American Idol and there was such a big positive response, that was the validation for me that singing was in the cards and part of my purpose. After American Idol, I went full in on music.
What made you want to go to Idol?
Honestly, I did my first show right before American Idol, and seeing the fans and the impact my music had on people—it was that magic in the air you can’t really put into words. That’s when I fully fell in love with making music and performing live. That was the turning point.
What was your family’s reaction? Obviously, you had to stop football, which has been a huge part of both yours and your family’s lives for decades. What did they think when you said this would be your new route?
That's a good question. They're very supportive of me regardless of what I do. I'm just really thankful to have two parents that as long as I'm giving a hundred percent effort and I have real passion for what I'm doing, they're all in as well. My dad played football for a long time and so that was a dream we had together. In another life, he also wishes he was a pop star and he now kind of lives that dream through me so it's fun to share a different dream together.
I guess you still use that determination from your football background—especially with your dad being a Super Bowl winner. That must carry over into music.
Yeah, I think it's been really special to have the foundation of being an athlete my whole life because it taught me so much discipline. And kind of, I guess, holding myself accountable and just growing and learning in a different space. It's the same values. It teaches you a really strong foundation of just being a human being and taking that to music has been really, really awesome.
I understand you first picked up the guitar when you were injured—is that right? How bad was that first day?
Oh, terrible! Nobody will ever see that video or even me singing! The singing wasn't great either, so that will go down six feet under with me! I'll take that to the grave.
As your songwriting has evolved, a lot of your songs talk about new chapters—even “Hail Mary.” You asked for the German translation just now and we both clearly have no clue what he said!
Let's hope he was right! I don't know what he said, but I trust him—I’m trusting him that it was right!
How important is it to put these new chapters into your songwriting?
I think it's really important for me because that's kind of my story and I definitely have some more fun lighter songs coming out soon that I'm really excited for people to hear. To set the foundation of me as an artist, I wanted to get a few of those out of who I am, my story and a song that only Pearl could write. Having the football references like Hail Mary and stuff is my background.
That's a good question. They're very supportive of me regardless of what I do. I'm just really thankful to have two parents that as long as I'm giving a hundred percent effort and I have real passion for what I'm doing, they're all in as well. My dad played football for a long time and so that was a dream we had together. In another life, he also wishes he was a pop star and he now kind of lives that dream through me so it's fun to share a different dream together.
I guess you still use that determination from your football background—especially with your dad being a Super Bowl winner. That must carry over into music.
Yeah, I think it's been really special to have the foundation of being an athlete my whole life because it taught me so much discipline. And kind of, I guess, holding myself accountable and just growing and learning in a different space. It's the same values. It teaches you a really strong foundation of just being a human being and taking that to music has been really, really awesome.
I understand you first picked up the guitar when you were injured—is that right? How bad was that first day?
Oh, terrible! Nobody will ever see that video or even me singing! The singing wasn't great either, so that will go down six feet under with me! I'll take that to the grave.
As your songwriting has evolved, a lot of your songs talk about new chapters—even “Hail Mary.” You asked for the German translation just now and we both clearly have no clue what he said!
Let's hope he was right! I don't know what he said, but I trust him—I’m trusting him that it was right!
How important is it to put these new chapters into your songwriting?
I think it's really important for me because that's kind of my story and I definitely have some more fun lighter songs coming out soon that I'm really excited for people to hear. To set the foundation of me as an artist, I wanted to get a few of those out of who I am, my story and a song that only Pearl could write. Having the football references like Hail Mary and stuff is my background.
You’re only about two years into this, and you’re already playing Berlin and London.
That’s insane right? I'm extremely grateful; people tell me that all the time and I didn't grow up in this industry or know too much about it before I got into it. I think sometimes it gets lost on me. I forget like hey, it's going really well and I have a high expectation for myself, so sometimes I can be like I want to be in arenas right now and I have to remember, no you're already ahead of the game. I'm just super grateful to be here. Sometimes, like even this morning I’m like, wow I'm in Germany right now playing my songs. It's pretty cool.
You’ve been steadily releasing singles over these two years instead of jumping straight into an EP or album. Has that been important?
I think so. In today's world of TikTok and social media, I think that people's attention spans are a lot shorter now and dropping a whole album when you don't have a bunch of eyes on it yet won’t help. It's not worthless, but the game right now I feel is to build momentum through singles and then once you have a bunch of momentum you drop a whole project. People will sit around and actually be ready for it and stream the whole thing. If they don't know who you are, it's gonna be hard for them to sit through a whole project without turning off after a couple of songs.
That’s insane right? I'm extremely grateful; people tell me that all the time and I didn't grow up in this industry or know too much about it before I got into it. I think sometimes it gets lost on me. I forget like hey, it's going really well and I have a high expectation for myself, so sometimes I can be like I want to be in arenas right now and I have to remember, no you're already ahead of the game. I'm just super grateful to be here. Sometimes, like even this morning I’m like, wow I'm in Germany right now playing my songs. It's pretty cool.
You’ve been steadily releasing singles over these two years instead of jumping straight into an EP or album. Has that been important?
I think so. In today's world of TikTok and social media, I think that people's attention spans are a lot shorter now and dropping a whole album when you don't have a bunch of eyes on it yet won’t help. It's not worthless, but the game right now I feel is to build momentum through singles and then once you have a bunch of momentum you drop a whole project. People will sit around and actually be ready for it and stream the whole thing. If they don't know who you are, it's gonna be hard for them to sit through a whole project without turning off after a couple of songs.
This weekend, you’re two sets down and still have three still to go. The Germans are an extremely attentive crowd. How strange for you was it when you’re a few songs in and the room is silent?
Honestly, it's been really good for me. In America, my fans are very rowdy and they scream every lyric; they scream in between sets and it's super fun. But yesterday I was like, okay they're very respectful and they really listen. Today I was able to dig my heels in and realize it's not that they don't enjoy it, they're just really locked in and take in every word.
No doubt that afterwards people come up and tell you they loved it, which always seems to catch American artists out the first time they play here.
Yeah, that's been exactly the case. It was weird at first but a lot of people told me that before I came—that I should be ready for a different type of crowd. They're very respectful. They listen to every word. This is great for me as I can really dig into the lyrics of the songs and get the story across as usually my sets are a party when I have a full band.
Being acoustic here and in London next week, does it feel different without the band?
I don't particularly love acoustic sets because I'm such an energetic person and performer. This has really been great for me to learn to love an acoustic set and know that it's okay to chill and relax and just sing the songs.
Are you a bit like the hyperactive child when you're in the chair?
Yeah—when you see me with a full band, you’ll understand!
Now you’ve come to Europe, is it a priority to build momentum here?
Oh, yeah for sure 100%. Being here is really important to me. To grow a fan base in Europe and all around Germany and the UK starts with stuff like this and getting boots on the ground. Making the foundations with the fans and meeting them face to face. I'm just really grateful that people have been showing up and I've been able to meet them and take pictures and all that stuff.
Now we just need to see the full-blown band show next time!
Let me come with a full band I'll run it.
With it just being you and Isaac this time around, are there a couple of like angry bandmates back home at the minute that they aren’t with you?
Yeah, but hopefully they'll be able to come next year! I'll probably get some harsh words when I get back home! Next time they’ll be here.
You can just tell them the food and beer are dreadful and it rained all the time!
They’d probably believe that!
We often speak with artists about the big difference around these festivals here compared to the American ones—how you play so many sets across the weekend on these festival stages. Do you feel like that is helping you build and already see familiar faces after these first two shows?
Yeah, it's been really cool to see people come back and be like, oh, I didn't know who you were when I saw you yesterday but I came back for your set today as I really liked your music. That's the best thing you could receive as an artist. We’ve got a few more shows here this weekend and then we open for Dylan Schneider in Hamburg before heading to London so I can’t wait to keep this going.
We're delighted to have you and roll on a full band show.
Yes. Thank you so much for having me man.
Honestly, it's been really good for me. In America, my fans are very rowdy and they scream every lyric; they scream in between sets and it's super fun. But yesterday I was like, okay they're very respectful and they really listen. Today I was able to dig my heels in and realize it's not that they don't enjoy it, they're just really locked in and take in every word.
No doubt that afterwards people come up and tell you they loved it, which always seems to catch American artists out the first time they play here.
Yeah, that's been exactly the case. It was weird at first but a lot of people told me that before I came—that I should be ready for a different type of crowd. They're very respectful. They listen to every word. This is great for me as I can really dig into the lyrics of the songs and get the story across as usually my sets are a party when I have a full band.
Being acoustic here and in London next week, does it feel different without the band?
I don't particularly love acoustic sets because I'm such an energetic person and performer. This has really been great for me to learn to love an acoustic set and know that it's okay to chill and relax and just sing the songs.
Are you a bit like the hyperactive child when you're in the chair?
Yeah—when you see me with a full band, you’ll understand!
Now you’ve come to Europe, is it a priority to build momentum here?
Oh, yeah for sure 100%. Being here is really important to me. To grow a fan base in Europe and all around Germany and the UK starts with stuff like this and getting boots on the ground. Making the foundations with the fans and meeting them face to face. I'm just really grateful that people have been showing up and I've been able to meet them and take pictures and all that stuff.
Now we just need to see the full-blown band show next time!
Let me come with a full band I'll run it.
With it just being you and Isaac this time around, are there a couple of like angry bandmates back home at the minute that they aren’t with you?
Yeah, but hopefully they'll be able to come next year! I'll probably get some harsh words when I get back home! Next time they’ll be here.
You can just tell them the food and beer are dreadful and it rained all the time!
They’d probably believe that!
We often speak with artists about the big difference around these festivals here compared to the American ones—how you play so many sets across the weekend on these festival stages. Do you feel like that is helping you build and already see familiar faces after these first two shows?
Yeah, it's been really cool to see people come back and be like, oh, I didn't know who you were when I saw you yesterday but I came back for your set today as I really liked your music. That's the best thing you could receive as an artist. We’ve got a few more shows here this weekend and then we open for Dylan Schneider in Hamburg before heading to London so I can’t wait to keep this going.
We're delighted to have you and roll on a full band show.
Yes. Thank you so much for having me man.
