Singer Bryan White returns with record label, album

Bryan White PROVIDED

Singer Bryan White returns with record label, album

By Ben Scott
Special Correspondent

Bryan White spent seven years away from the music business.

Though he played the occasional show, penned songs for artists including Wynonna Judd and Joe Diffie and kept a residence in Nashville, Tenn., the native Oklahoman hasn't released a full album since his greatest hits package in 2000.

Seven years away from the biz. And the boyish crooner is only 33.

That's what happens when you get a record deal at 19 and chart four No. 1 singles before you can rent a car. White torched preteen hearts with sappy odes such as "Someone Else's Star” and "Rebecca Lynn.” Then in 2000, record sales dipped. White married actress and Tulsa native Erika Page. He said it was time to quit "living out of a suitcase and reconnect with reality.”

"My story isn't unique in the sense that people have to stop and do some soul searching,” White said. "In my case, I needed to figure out who I was and who I wasn't. In the process, I figured out who I need to be.”

White has returned to the public eye with his record label, Covenant Productions, and a new album titled "Out of the Storm” that is due for summer release. White said he's mimicking what other established artists have done: starting their own production company and releasing music they want to release.

"That's kind of the trend now,” White said. "I applaud anybody who's doing that. You see a quicker return. With bigger labels, it's more difficult to do what you want to do. I'm fortunate I've had success, and I'm able to do this.”

White invited his mother, Anita White, and his brother, Daniel, to sing on his album — something that wouldn't have been allowed on a major label, he said. White's boyhood idol Steve Wariner lends his vocals on "Hands of Time,” a cut on the new album that White hopes will be released in June.

"He was the defining voice that made me want to make records,” White said of Wariner.

White's music on his new label promises to be more spiritual. He said the time off, in addition to raising two sons, helped him re-establish a relationship with God. The name of the production company, Covenant, establishes Christian themes. But White doesn't want to pigeonhole his sound.

"Everything I do is always going to be country,” White said. "That's the way I play. But there's always different flavors and things I do because of the wide spectrum of influences I have. I'll say it's a very positive record.”

One track White's especially excited about is an autobiographical song he penned about his father.

So, seeing as the entire White brood is represented on "Out of the Storm,” it's fairly obvious they'll like it. White's die-hard and loyal fans should like the album, as well.

But how will the rest of the industry respond?

"A lot of radio stations won't look at independent music,” White said. "I think that's changing because of a lot of the pioneers with this new model. There's a lot of doors being broken down now.”

White's put out a few feelers for his new music. A five-song sampler is available on iTunes and on his Web site, www.bryanwhite.com. The EP is also being sold on Wal-Mart's Web site.

Success on an independent label, he said, is the perfect storm of the right song and the right singer. White hasn't yet picked his first single in seven years. But he promises it will be up-tempo.

"I believe that if this music is what I think it is, we'll be fine,” he said.