Grammy winner Bryan White speaks at MHS
Grammy winner Bryan White recently joined a group of Marlow students for a song writing workshop in the high school band room. The presentation was made possible by the Chisholm Trail Arts Council, which chose Marlow because the MHS Entertainers opened for the Glen Miller Orchestra at the Simmons Center after a last minute request.
White has earned many awards because of his talent, including seventeen singles on Billboard’s Country Charts, six number one singles, two platinum records, two gold records, one Grammy, a CMA Horizon Award and an ACM Top Male Vocalist Award.
He considers singing the duet, “From this Moment On,” with Shania Twain, his greatest accomplishment of his musical career.
White is from Oklahoma but now lives in Nashville, Tennessee, where he was discovered in 1992.
White was born in Lawton, Oklahoma, and graduated from Putnam City West High School.
White said his parents were both musically diverse, but he prefers the country genre.
“I was drawn to country music. The music is inspired by true life and tells true stories,” White said.
After he graduated from high school, he decided to move to Nashville.
“Nashville was where my dreams were,” White said.
White began playing the drums at a young age, then the guitar, and then at the age of 16, he started writing songs.
White gave many pointers to encourage the students.
“Find your sound— listen to your favorites and your favorites’ favorites. Find your inspiration through what you feel and don’t be afraid to stumble.”
–Bryan White
“I don’t know if I can say this, but don’t be afraid to let it suck.”
White answered students’ questions on what to do when they get writers block.
The students laughed at his answer, “Shake it off like Taylor (Swift).”
Sophomore Allie Custer said she learned that when you are stuck you have to be willing to fail to improve.
“I usually get frustrated with my songs and poems. The workshop helped open my eyes to easier steps that are more understandable,” Custer said.
The artist told the group that in a song you are telling a story in three to five minutes.
“There are three things you need to take into account: What are you trying to say, who are you trying to tell the story to and why are you trying to tell the story,” White said.
According to White inspiration comes from everyone and everything in daily life.
“If you have a thought, write it down. Mess around with lyrics and find your story,” White said.
Many key factors go into writing a song, according to White.
“Get in the proximity of other song writers, throw ideas around, never stop asking questions, and break the rules,” White said.
White is now forty years old and said he is enjoying his career.
“I have the best job in the world, the best fans I could ask for, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” White said.
Rylee Derryberry
MHS exPRESS staff writer