MUSIC INSIGHT an honor bestowed on a promising up and comer by the Recording Academy . To even be in the running for this prestigious designation – which is then voted on by fans to determine one ultimate winner-- nominees must be submitted by Grammy winning veteran artists , whereas White was nominated by his good friends , and recent touring partners , Zac Brown Band . A huge honor in itself , considering the company of such icons as Zac and his talented crew of musical royalty .
Since I ’ ve managed to become somewhat of a guru ( insert the words , lucky and accident ) when it comes to tracking down , hanging with , and interviewing both upand-coming , and legendary names in the music industry I was instantly drawn to do the same with Drake White after hearing his tunes . Not only because of his strong ties to Alabama , which happens to also be my home state , but moreover because of something that just struck me as so new and refreshing … yet somehow old and comfortable , about his songs . Drake ’ s writing and sound are a kind of desirable and much needed twist to the all too typical songs being put out in most every genre presently . And just as I had found Drake ’ s music to be non-typical in an all too typical world , I found Drake White , the Southern Gentleman , to be just as his music would lead one to believe ; real and refreshing . The boy next door that you always probably knew wouldn ’ t stay next door , but also wouldn ’ t forget who the neighbors were once he made sure the world knew who he was .
As for seeing White perform live , well , let ’ s just say , I ’ ve witnessed some of the best country artists of all time , live , up close , and in action , and Drake White doesn ’ t have to worry about the company he ’ s in . White ’ s not exactly like any one other artist I ’ ve seen . He ’ s just Drake White , and he gets it done with a stage presence that strikes me as being reminiscent of Steven Tyler meets Garth Brooks , with a little Zac Brown and James Taylor thrown in for good measure . Go see him and you ’ ll see what I mean . He ’ s larger than life and he ’ s got the whole persona that keeps his fans not only listening to the music , but watching him work the stage and captivate the audience . Sadly an art that ’ s often lost with some otherwise great singers … but not this time .
I caught up with Drake while he was on a short break from the road , and spending a few days with his wife , Alex , and dog , Writer , at his home near Nashville . Just weeks before embarking on his first ever headlining tour , including a few weeks he just finished up playing for his fast growing fan base on the other side of the pond , in the U . K . and Ireland . Here ’ s a little of what he had to say :
WE : Tell me a little about where you came from in Hokes Bluff Alabama . What was it like growing up there ?
DW : Well , Hokes Bluff is kind of nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains , and being from such a small rural area , we were literally legends of the convenience store . My sister and I were talking about this very thing , recently . We all knew everyone , and everyone knew us . Like many of those small towns , you can ’ t wait to leave , then you can ’ t wait to go back . Going back now really helps me to appreciate where I came from and who I
28 April 2017
INSIGHT