Drake White

Background

Born William Drake White in Hokes Bluff, Alabama, he is the son of Melinda White and David White. He has one older sister. It was while in school that he began to write his thoughts down, which would later influence his song lyrics. He honed his interest in music at university, writing more and even learning to play the guitar. White worked with a general contractor in Nashville and began to play at popular music spots across Nashville at night while still holding down his day job. In 2010, he decided to quit his job and pursue music full-time.

White made a breakthrough in his career when he was spotted by an agent in 2011 while he was performing with his band, The Big Fire. He and his band opened for Willie Nelson’s tour the same year. In 2013, he released his debut single, ‘Simple Life,’ which receives moderate success. His popularity led Big Machine Records to sign him on to their label Dot Records in 2014, which was followed by the release of his first single for the label, ‘It Feels Good,’ a few months later. In 2016, he released his debut studio album, “Spark,” and the single from the album, ‘Makin’ Me Look Good Again,’ went on to become his biggest hit, debuting at Number 33 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart, winning the Taste of Country Fan Choice Award for Album of the Year, and reaching Number 1 on the iTunes Country Albums Chart upon release. In 2017, he was included in the Country Music Seminar’s “New Faces of Country Music” show, propelling him to wider fame. That same year, he parted ways with Big Machine. He was diagnosed with an arteriovenous malfunction, a vascular disorder, in 2019, but he continued to work. A brain hemorrhage on stage during a tour a few months later left him paralyzed on his right side. After months of rehabilitation and therapy, White made a comeback in 2020 with his five-song EP named ‘Stars.’ He released his second studio album, “The Optimystic,” which he also co-produced, in 2022.

White’s music has placed him among one of the upcoming names in the genre. He has been featured in the list of the Top 10 Country Artists You Need to Know by Rolling Stone and was voted Grammy Artist of Tomorrow in a poll. Along with his wife, he was also involved in building shelters for homeless children in Haiti. His tours with his band draw large audiences, and fans will eagerly await more new music from him.