In 2019 Drake White went through a harrowing health scare but his journey back to the global stage is nothing short of remarkable and inspirational
The UK holds it’s breath for the long awaited return of Drake White, as he is set to perform at The Long Road after headlining Millport Festival the weekend before on the isle of Cumbrae. White has always been a firm favourite amongst the UK crowd ever since he burst onto the scene. However, to say the last few years have been tough on White, would be a massive understatement.
Wiz to Willie
As he prepared to drive across town for a writing session, White joined me over zoom to retell his journey in music so far. In 2019 on stage in Roanoke, West Virginia, White suffered a stroke after previously being diagnosed with Arteriovenous Malformation. The way he overcame the trials and tribulations of the last few years is truly awe-inspiring and his latest record acted as therapy, aiding him on the road to recovery. Music was always a big part of his life though, as he resided a stones throw away from the famed Muscle Shoals. “I grew up in northeast Alabama, so that Muscle Shoals influence of soul music was always a part of me. I’d say that I’m a product of my dad’s vinyl record collection, which was everything from Zeppelin to Steely Dan, the Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker band. Now, I listen to everything from Wiz Khalifa to Willie Nelson. I love my good buddies, Brent Cobb – I just love what he does. I love what this new guy, Ian Munsick, is doing. I love Brothers Osborne and Eric Church too.”
After starting out wanting to be a sports star, White found music was his real calling. “Around 18 or 19, I started figuring out that music was what made me happy, that’s what made my heart tick a little faster.” White recalls his upbringing and how music found him, “I was born in a really, kind of Huckleberry Finn meets Swiss Family Robinson type of freedom, where I had a little motorcycle, and a little tent down by the river where I could hang out. We grew up drinking beer and having a good time. Went to college and formed a band and moved to Nashville to get a record deal.” That’s exactly what he did, signing to Dot Records in 2014.
Read the full interview in our latest issue
