We turn our focus today to an artist who was born and raised in the Appalachian mountains, along the shores of the Coosa River. He learned to sing in his church's youth choir and became a general contractor before changing horses to pursue a musical career.

2016 Stagecoach California's Country Music Festival at Empire Polo Club on April 29, 2016 in Indio, California
photo courtesy of Kevin Winter/Getty Images Entertainment
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Drake White grew up in Hokes Bluff, AL, a small Appalachian town of about 4200, right along the Coosa River, about an hour northeast of Birmingham. He started singing in the local church at the encouragement of his parents, and at age 14 White started journalizing his thoughts, many of which later became song lyrics. But music wasn't the first thing on young Drake's mind, as he first attended Gadsden State Community College, then Auburn University, where graduated with a degree in building science. He would put that degree to use, working as a general contractor after college.

But the music was strong in White. While working as a g.c., he would also take the stage at night as the front man for Drake White and the Big Fire. The band would appear as the opening act for Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Little Big Town and many other acts when they came to town. In 2013 the group released its debut single "Simple Life" through MCA Nashville on a distribution only deal, signing with the Big Machine Records subsidiary Dot Records in 2014.

Drake White Performance & Happy Hour
Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images
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In February of 2015, White would release his first single for Dot Records, "It Feels Good", which would become his first top-40 single, peaking at #38 on the Billboard Country Singles Chart. On the success of the single, White released a download only, 6-single EP called It Feels Good in September, 2015. The second single from the EP, "Livin' The Dream" would be released in December of the same year, beginning a slow, steady climb to the top-10, becoming White's first single to achieve that level, peaking at #9. In August, White's debut album Spark would debut at #4 on the Country Album charts, featuring the singles from the EP.

The third single from the album is in our spotlight today. Drake White and "Makin' Me Look Good Again" is today's Catch of the  Day, new music you haven't heard, but your going to wanna hear it again.

 

 

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