Last August, Drake White was tapped to play the Country 102.5 Zac Brown Post Party at House of Blues following the Saturday night show of Zac Brown Band’s 3-night stand at Boston’s historic Fenway Park. That night may have very well changed Drake White’s life as Zac Brown, himself, was in attendance for that party and concert. A few weeks later, Zac asked Drake White to open for him on the remaining dates of his Jekyll + Hyde Tour, allowing Drake to play his music for thousands of fans.
Zac Brown Band is one of the biggest names not only in country music, but music as a whole, so this opportunity truly was life-changing for Drake White. But over the last few years, Drake has gotten the opportunity to open for some other huge acts like Eric Church, Brantley Gilbert, Willie Nelson, and Little Big Town among others. One thing that Drake has taken from opening for these acts is an ‘educational experience.’ He says, “I’m a firm believer that if you want to do something in this world, you find someone that is already doing it and mimic what they are doing. I’m not speaking creatively, of course. Zac has opened up and allowed me to ask him questions, ask him what he’s being doing and how he’s been able to succeed. That has allowed me to make some good decisions and capitalize on the conversation I have had with him. And Eric has been the same way. To be able to go out there and watch people like Eric Church and Zac Brown perform and play every night, it’s an unbelievable educational experience for an artist.” If there is one artist that Drake would love to open for, it would be Kenny Chesney, as “there’s not much bigger in country music than Kenny Chesney.” To say that Drake White has been living his dream the last few years would be an understatement.
All those touring dates and opportunities may have been contributing factors to Drake’s current single, ‘Livin’ The Dream.’ The single accurately illustrates Drake’s positive and forward-looking attitude. White describes the song by saying, “Livin’ the Dream’ is a redemptive song. It throws it out there that there is bad shit out there in the world but you got to push on through and keep a good positive outlook on everything- focus on the good stuff. That’s what I do. There’s a lot of stuff in this business that can get you frustrated- stuff takes so long and you have to be patient. But it’s about waking up in the morning and focusing on the good- the good that you got. Being thankful and being in a state of gratitude all day and that promotes more good and better things to happen to you.” Drake tells NECM that he really likes the groove of it and how he can use the lower register of his voice, which is something he often hasn’t been able to do. But of all things, Drake simply loved the message of the song. “There’s a good message about this tune that is uplifting and that promotes hope. And as long as people have hope, they have life, they have a reason for living.“ Between the message and the groove, White knew he had a hit on his hands after he put his vocals to it.
While Drake White may be promoting ‘Livin’ The Dream’ right now, he is also working on a bigger project… an album! He says that the album is full of different songs and fans should expect songs that have some ‘tongue in cheek and good, intelligent writing.’ He’s working on this project not to pump out radio singles but instead to create showstopping art. “We want to do something that withstands time, that can stand up and be a piece of art and win a GRAMMY or something. That’s what we’re in this for- to create amazing stuff. The record is going to have a real organic sound. It’s going to have a really spacey, vibey, cool, groovy, soulful, country, rock and roll song,” Drake explains. He goes on to describe that album as a “good rollercoaster ride.” Luckily for Drake, he has an incredible record label behind him in Big Machine Music Group that allows him to do his music his way and let him become the artist he is and continues to be. White says about Big Machine, “They do a good job of processing your ideas and getting things kicked out there to where you can be an artist and you can just go out there and create and not worry about the business. When they get behind something, they get behind it 110%. It’s been huge for me to be able to lift that pressure off that I know they got my back and they know I’ve got theirs.”
Just recently, it was announced that Drake would again be joining Zac Brown Band on the road this summer for the entirety of their Black Out The Sun Tour, which includes two nights at Boston’s historic Fenway Park. So in a way, it has come full circle for Drake White. Last summer, he was playing shows promoting ‘It Feels Good’ as his current radio single at the time, when he got the chance to play the post-concert party at Boston’s House of Blues, just outside Fenway Park. That night resulted in a greater opportunity that is allowing him this year to cross through the Green Monster and onto the big stage in one of the most historic sports venues in the world. “It’s going to be monstrous. I can’t wait. It’s going to be awesome. We’re stoked. To play two days at Fenway Park and be a baseball fan like I am. I am going to be able to tour the stadium and hang out where all that history took place,” Drake ecstatically exclaims.
Drake White sure is ‘Livin’ The Dream.’
You can purchase Drake White’s ‘Livin’ The Dream’ on iTunes here.
You can follow Drake on Twitter, Facebook, and his official website.