Drake White Ignites Passion In His Debut Album, SPARK

It’s a rare occurrence when an artist can capture the dramatic fire and soul-baring intensity of legends – with gripping lyrics and a mesmerizing flame of a bluesy smooth voice, Dot Records recording artist Drake White is doing just that with his explosive debut album, Spark.  

The album, which was released under the Big Machine label in August of 2016, showcases the depth of White’s inner conscience – co-writing 10 of the 12 tunes, the Hokes Bluff, Alabama native mixes country, blues, and a little rock and roll, allowing his raspy voice to be showcased so eloquently. While his two previously released tunes, “Simple Life” and “It Feels Good,” had limited success on the charts, his newest single“Livin’ The Dream” continues to climb it’s way up to the top.  Through the lyrics, “Livin’ The Dream” allows the listener into the world of working class people who don’t have a lot, but feel that “simple” is better.

“Waitin’ on the Whiskey to Work,” and “Elvis” are must-listen to songs on the album – each are superbly written and deliver emotions from the trials of life on the road, to a somber life of one drowning their sorrows, to how hard work may take it’s time to pay off.  However, the declaration of love in “Making Me Look Good Again,” steals the entire show. Co-written by White, Monty Criswell, and Shane Minor, the third track on Spark begins with a tender piano prelude, White’s powerful vocals exploding with the profession that his woman’s existence just makes him, well, better: “Worn and haggard, weathered and torn.  Drug through the keyhole of that back door.  Bloodshot red, behind these shades. I look like hell, I’ve seen better days.  Then those loving arms, they pull me back in.  There you go baby, yeah…Making me feel good again.” White’s gritty vocals not only create an ebb and flow from weariness to intoxicating pacification. A true goosebump moment.

In “Waitin on the Whiskey to Work” (White, Tony Lane, Philip Pence) White’s raspy, soft voice, along with a subtle strumming of a guitar, places the listener inside the life of a rejected lover, who doesn’t have much to soften the blow of a relationship gone bad.  So he waits for the alcohol to comfort him.

“I’m just waitin for the whiskey to work.
Got some money in my shirt.
I’ll wait here all night long if I have too.
Well I’m just waiting for the band to start.
To play a little tune for a busted up heart.
A little something to numb this world of hurt.
Waitin on the whiskey to work”.  

The bass and soft drum beats in “Elvis” (White, Jeremy Spillman, Ryan Tyndell) lift the song into a subtle rock anthem of the difficulties with catching that break one waits for while Drake’s higher octave vocals and upbeat rhythm detailing how patient one must be in making into any business:  

You do what you do, til you can’t no more.
You can wait for a break or break down the door.
It’s callous crazy plan, man that makes history.
Rome wasn’t built in no day and Elvis wasn’t born the King

Finally, “Live Some”, “ Back to Free”, and the lead-off track “Heartbeat” are perfect country/rock anthem style songs. With White’s distinctive voice and soulful delivery, mixed with his effervescent stage presence,  these will no doubt become fan favorites, making every concert attendee stand on their feet shouting the chorus or rocking out when listening to the album.

For those who may not be familiar with Drake White, his songwriting ability, stage presence, and amazing vocals with make you an instant fan.  Trust me. Do yourself a favor, buy SPARK and indulge in a heaping dose of captivating soul. And make sure to attend a show while you’re at it; he just finished a tour with Zac Brown Band and is hitting the road with Dierks Bentley. Check his website for all his tour dates.

Spark Track Listing

1. Heartbeat – White, Ross Copperman, Jason Sellers
2. Story – White, Mark Irwin, Tommy Lee James
3. Making Me Feel Good Again – White, Monty Criswell, Shane Minor
4. It Feels Good – White, Derek George, Philip Pence
5. Livin’ The Dream – Tom Douglas, Jaren Johnston, Luke Laird
6. I Need Real – White, Ross Copperman, Jon Nite
7. Back to Free – White, Randy Montana, Philip Pence
8. Equator – White, Matt Jenkins, Trevor Rosen
9. Live Some – Ross Copperman, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne
10. Waitin’ on the Whiskey to Work – White, Tony Lane, Philip Pence
11. Elvis – White, Jeremy Spillman, Ryan Tyndell
12. Take Me As I Am – White, Phil Barton, Lindsay Jack Rimes

* The original posting of this article incorrectly stated that White was from Holly Pond, AL. We have corrected it to Hokes Bluff, AL.