Monday night (11/17), Country-Soul singer-songwriter Drake White rallied a packed house of fans and friends to support mental and brain health at his second sold-out “Benefit For The Brain” charity concert at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. This year’s event exceeded the fundraising total of the 2023 concert, with proceeds supporting Make-A-Wish Middle Tennessee, CreatiVets, and the Miracle Hope Foundation. Captivating the capacity crowd at “the Mother Church of Country music,” the show boasted unforgettable performances from White, Riley Green, Jon Pardi, Kassi Ashton, with surprise guest appearances by Jessi Alexander and Randy Owen of Alabama. Guided with heart and purpose by host and renowned emotional wellness expert Miles Adcox, the evening delivered a powerful blend of music and meaning, with support from Freedom Door Specialists, Banded, The Fowl Life, JOCKEY, and Nashville Palace, among other valued sponsors.

White personally took the stage and delivered a powerhouse set highlighted by simultaneously heartfelt and energetic renditions of staples like “Makin’ Me Look Good Again,” “Power of a Woman,” “Mix ‘Em With Whiskey,” “Livin’ the Dream,” and many more. Plus, Owen accompanied him on the showstopping “Mountain’s Melody” and “Dixieland Delight,” and Alexander appeared alongside Green during a particularly impassioned duet on “Don’t Mind If I Do.” From the moment the lights went down to the final curtain call, the entire lineup uplifted the audience as Green, Pardi, and Ashton left it all on the stage during their respective sets as well. Fittingly, the concert concluded with a rousing standing ovation from the crowd.

In between performances guest speakers, Richard Casper (CreatiVets), Ed Clay (CPI), Griffin Moore (Paradigm), Beth Touris (Make-A-Wish), and Tommy Aceto (Neuroscience & Wellness Initiative) & Rikki Harris (TN Voices) took the stage to share meaningful perspectives on research, advocacy, recovery, mental health support, and alternative methods further grounding the night in the purpose of “Benefit For The Brain.”

Notably, the event’s first-ever silent auction completely sold out. Fans placed enthusiastic bids on standout items such as a Charlie Daniels–signed fiddle, an Old Dominion–signed guitar, four field box tickets to any Chicago Cubs game, a limited-edition print from local artist Jason DeMeo (Jase), a helmet signed by Tony Pollard, and multiple Nashville Soccer Club packages—including signed jerseys from Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge, plus tickets and a training session for up to eight kids—among many other coveted offerings.

White’s non-profit “Benefit For The Brain” is dispersing proceeds to charity organizations covering three pillars close to his heart: mental wellness for military and veterans, especially PTSD; brain health in children and adolescents, and innovative approaches to stroke recovery and neurological treatment. The inaugural installment sold out the Ryman, welcomed a diverse cohort of A-list artists (Green, Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson, Colbie Caillat), and raised over $250,000 in the process.

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 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. For more information and to support “Benefit For The Brain” visit here. 

Following the release of his latest single, “Tradition,” (November 2025) and with more new music promised soon, White will be canvasing North America through the end of 2025. Currently touring as support on the Riley Green: Damn Country Music Tour, White will then headline his Keep It Movin’ Tour this fall before joining Green’s 2026 Cowboy As It Gets Tour. White will also play various shows and festivals with friends such as Chase Rice, Travis Tritt, and Colt Ford. View all upcoming tour dates here.

 

 

ABOUT DRAKE WHITE:
Bringing undeniable Soul, upbeat energy, and unbreakable heart to Country, Drake White makes the kind of music that can turn your day around. He possesses a rare ability to strike an emotional chord with his unflinchingly honest storytelling, yet he’s got enough charisma and charm to lift even the most reserved crowd to its feet. Since 2013, the Hokes Bluff, AL Country-Soul troubadour has generated nearly half-a-billion streams across fan-favorite albums such as Spark [2016], The Optymistic [2022], and Low Country High Road [2024]. Moreover, he has collaborated with the likes of Maren Morris and Colbie Caillat and performed alongside everyone from Luke Bryan and Eric Church to Zac Brown Band. He has packed houses as a headliner, igniting THE OPTIMYSTIC TOUR and THE BRIDGE TOUR. Touted as one of Rolling Stone’s “10 Country Artists You Need To Know” and a GRAMMY® “Artist of Tomorrow,” he even notably took home International Song of the Year at the British CMA Awards.  Not to mention, he has guested on The Kelly Clarkson Show and received praise from Entertainment Tonight, People, American Songwriter, and MusicRow among many others. Most importantly, White gives back whenever possible. Diagnosed with Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM), he survived a 2019 stroke on stage only to endure seven brain surgeries. Coming back stronger and raising awareness around brain health, he launched and headlined the charity concert “Benefit For The Brain” in 2023, selling out Ryman Auditorium, raising $253,000 for multiple 501(c)3 partners, and featuring Riley Green, Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson, and more. The event returns for round two in 2025. Now, White turns the page on his next chapter with recent singles “Nights on Fire,” “Nuthin’ But a Smile,” and “Tradition,” and more new music to come.

 

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