Continuing a mission to support and bolster brain health and wellness, Country-Soul singer-songwriter Drake White proudly presents his second “Benefit For The Brain” concert at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN on November 17. Once again, he will headline, host, and curate this very special event. White’s non-profit The Benefit For The Brain will donate and disperse proceeds from the show to select charity organizations. Tickets go on sale this Friday, August 15 at 10am local time. For information on presales and tickets, visit here.

With the full lineup to be unveiled soon, the event focuses on three pillars close to the White’s heart: mental wellness for military and veterans, especially PTSD; brain health in children and adolescents; innovative approaches to stroke recovery and neurological treatment.

Back in 2019, White’s life changed forever during a show in Roanoke, VA. Everything seemed fine until he started to play “The Coast Is Clear.” Right in the middle of the song, he endured a stroke and suddenly collapsed. In the aftermath of this fateful evening, he was diagnosed with Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) and underwent an unprecedented seven brain surgeries conducted by Nashville-based neurosurgeon Dr. Mericle. With the love of family, friends, and his incredible fanbase, he fought through it all. He not only returned to the stage and resumed his recording career, but he also devoted himself to “the battle between your ears” by introducing “Benefit For The Brain” in 2023.

The inaugural installment impressively sold out the Ryman, welcomed a diverse cohort of A-list artists, and raised over $253,000 in the process. Beyond the night’s emotionally charged powerhouse set from White, the event featured Riley Green, Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson, and surprise guest Colbie Caillat. Contributing to an important discourse, Dr. Mericle, Beth Torres of Make-A-Wish Middle Tennessee, Cellular Performance Institute founder Ed Clay, and CreatiVets co-founder Richard Casper each graced the stage to share incredible stories and experiences. Not to mention, Onsite founder Miles Adcox served as the MC.

On Friday (8/8), White served up a sunny and sizzling new single entitled “Nuthin’ But a Smile.” It marks his first original release of 2025 and hints at more to come in the near future. He personally produced the song, collaborating with co-writers Shane Minor and Monty Criswell. Listen to “Nuthin’ But a Smile” here.

Right out of the gate, Entertainment Focus hailed it as “a vibrant, sun-soaked glimpse of what’s ahead from the dynamic singer-songwriter,” going on to affirm, “the song delivers the signature blend of soul, grit, and southern charm fans have come to expect.” Holler touted it among the “Best New Country,” and Whiskey Riff featured the tune on its “Country New Music Friday” Spotify playlist. CMA plugged it on the “Fresh From Nashville” playlist, and CMT dropped it into “The Roundup.”  Perhaps, Folio Weekly put it best, “No one knows damn country music like Drake White.”

Last month, he dropped the three-track Scattered, Smothered, Covers EP. He notably put his own spin on “Lose Control” by Teddy Swims, “Birds of a Feather” by Billie Eilish, and “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash.

White will be canvasing North America on tour through the end of 2025. He will headline his KEEP IT MOVIN’ TOUR in the fall, and he’s set to rejoin Riley Green for the second leg of the RILEY GREEN: DAMN COUNTRY MUSIC TOUR. Plus, he’ll appear at various festivals in addition to playing shows with friends such as Chase Rice, Travis Tritt, and Colt Ford. View all upcoming dates here.

 

ABOUT DRAKE WHITE:
Country-Soul troubadour with charisma to spare, Drake White pours every ounce of his unbridled passion into songs that brighten the spirit. For the latest turn in a dynamic career that’s included scoring four Top 40 hits, White is kicking off a new era with his sunny new single “Nuthin’ But a Smile.” After getting his start singing in his church’s youth choir, the Alabama native broke onto the scene with his 2013 single “Simple Life” and released his debut album SPARK in 2016. As he gained a devoted following for his soul-stirring songwriting (also showcased on the back-to-back EPs 'Pieces' and 'Stars'), White collapsed on stage due to a hemorrhagic stroke in August 2019, then underwent a series of operations to repair his Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM). Once recovered, he returned with his critically acclaimed sophomore LP THE OPTIMYSTIC: a 2022 release praised as an “extremely accomplished album” (American Songwriter) full of songs that “offer hope to anyone dealing with difficulty in their life" (E! News). Maintaining that unstoppable momentum, he next delivered the 2023 EP 'The Bridge,' a powerful seven-song project featuring collaborations with the likes of Maren Morris and Colbie Caillat. Just last year, White released his third studio album, the 13-track Low Country High Road. The album serves a wildly life-affirming look at the tremendous ups and downs he’s endured in recent years. His most masterful work yet, Low Country High Road touches on White’s monumental life events. Over the years, White has shared the bill with Country superstars like Luke Bryan, Eric Church, and Zac Brown Band and brought his electrifying live show to a number of headline tours, including 2022’s THE OPTIMYSTIC TOUR (with dates in the U.S. and U.K.) and 2024’s THE BRIDGE TOUR (a 24-city nationwide run). With his many accolades including winning the British CMA Awards’ International Song of the Year, landing on Rolling Stone’s 10 Country Artists You Need to Know list, and earning recognition as a GRAMMY Artist of Tomorrow, White is now at work on more new music built on his freewheeling sound and emotionally charged yet quick-witted lyricism.

 

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