Playing mandolin and drums with his parents' bluegrass band in rural Illinois, Noah Gordon decided that he wanted a career in music. After being introduced to a friend's brother who did some singing in Nashille, the ten-year-old began playing drums for then-unkown Randy Travis, but soon returned to Illinois to attend high school. While there, he played with Chance Walker around the region. Only a few years after graduation, the country singer signed with Patriot Records and released his debut, I Need a Break.