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Drake White

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Drake White
Birth nameWilliam Drake White
Born (1983-10-03) October 3, 1983 (age 41)
Hokes Bluff, Alabama
OriginHokes Bluff, Alabama
GenresCountry
OccupationSinger-songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar
Years active2011-present
LabelsMCA Nashville, Dot, BMLG

William Drake White (born October 3, 1983[1]) is an American country music singer and the leader of Drake White & The Big Fire.

Early life

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White was born in Hokes Bluff, Alabama,[2] where he attended Hokes Bluff High School. White started writing his thoughts down when he was 14, some of which would later become lyrics in his songs. He started singing when he was asked to join the youth choir at First Baptist Church of Hokes Bluff by his parents.[1] He later attended Gadsden State Community College and then Auburn University, graduating with a degree in building science. Later, he worked with a general contractor in Nashville, Tennessee before quitting that job in favor of a musical career.[1]

Music career

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In concert, he and his band ("Drake White & The Big Fire") opened up performances for such musicians as Eric Church, Luke Bryan, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Tyler Bryant, and Channing Wilson. White has opened for Little Big Town and the Zac Brown Band.

In early 2013, he released his debut single "Simple Life" through MCA Nashville.[3][4] White signed to Big Machine Records' re-establishment of Dot Records in June 2014.[5] The first single, "It Feels Good" released to country radio on February 24, 2015. The second single, "Livin' the Dream" released to country radio on December 7, 2015. On August 19, 2016, White released "Spark", his debut album under Dot Records. It charted at No. 4 on the Top Country Albums chart.[6] The album's third single, "Makin' Me Look Good Again", was released in 2016. A new 5-song EP titled "Pieces" was released on May 4, 2018.

Personal life

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In January 2019, White was diagnosed with arteriovenous malformation (AVM), a rare vascular disorder.[7]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Details Peak chart positions Sales
US Country
[8]
US
[9]
50 Years Too Late
Spark
  • Release date: August 19, 2016
  • Label: Dot Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download
4 34
The Optimystic
  • Release date: March 11, 2022
  • Label: Reverend White
  • Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Extended plays

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Title Details Sales
It Feels Good
Pieces[11]
  • Release date: May 4, 2018
  • Label: BMLG
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Drake White and the Big Fire Live[13]
  • Release date: December 4, 2018
  • Label: Reverend White
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Stars
  • Release date: April 17, 2020
  • Label: Reverend White
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
The Bridge
  • Release date: October 6, 2023
  • Label: Reverend White
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming

Singles

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Year Single Peak chart
positions
Sales Album
US Country
[14]
US Country Airplay
[15]
US Bubbling
[16]
2013 "The Simple Life" 36
2015 "It Feels Good" 38 33 Spark
"Livin' the Dream" 20 12 4
2016 "Makin' Me Look Good Again" 32 26
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Music videos

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Year Video Director
2015 "It Feels Good"[18] Roman White
2016 "Livin' the Dream"[19] P. R. Brown
2017 "Makin' Me Look Good Again"[20] Shaun Silva

References

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  1. ^ a b c Rogers, Lisa (June 6, 2012). "Drake White: From Hokes Bluff to Nashville". Gadsden Times.
  2. ^ Haley Laurence (April 14, 2016). "Meet Alabama's newest rising country music star". AL.com.
  3. ^ Chuck Dauphin. "615 Spotlight: Drake White's 'Simple Life'". Billboard.
  4. ^ "Drake White Releases Debut Single "The Simple Life" - Music News Nashville". 26 March 2013. Archived from the original on 10 August 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
  5. ^ "BMLG's Dot Records Signs Drake White". Music Row. 20 June 2014.
  6. ^ Asker, Jim (August 30, 2016). "Dolly Parton Back at No. 1 on Top Country Albums After 25 Years". Billboard.
  7. ^ "Country singer Drake White diagnosed with debilitating brain disorder". CNN. August 22, 2019.
  8. ^ "Top Country Albums". Billboard.
  9. ^ "Billboard 200". Billboard.
  10. ^ Bjorke, Matt (September 27, 2017). "TOP 10 Country Album Sales Chart: September 25, 2017". Roughstock.
  11. ^ "Pieces EP". iTunes Store. 4 May 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  12. ^ Bjorke, Matt (May 14, 2018). "Top 10 Country Albums Sales Chart: May 14, 2018". Roughstock. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  13. ^ "Drake White and the Big Fire Live". iTunes Store. 14 December 2018. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  14. ^ "Drake White - Hot Country Songs". Billboard.
  15. ^ "Drake White - Country Airplay". Billboard.
  16. ^ "Drake White - Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard.
  17. ^ Bjorke, Matt (May 3, 2017). "Top 30 Digital Singles Sales Report: May 3, 2017". Roughstock.
  18. ^ "It Feels Good - Drake White - Vevo". Vevo. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
  19. ^ Freeman, Jon (April 12, 2016). "See Drake White's Rustic 'Livin' the Dream' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  20. ^ R. Moss, Marissa (April 6, 2017). "Watch Drake White's Romantic 'Makin' Me Look Good Again' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 30, 2017.