Last Saturday (10/17), Country-Soul singer-songwriter Drake White hosted the first-ever Loblolly Fest — a one-of-a-kind festival held at The Bluff Amphitheater in his hometown of Hokes Bluff, AL. A joyful celebration of Southern music and small-town community, the bustling event featured knockout performances from White, MULTI-PLATINUM chart-topper Randy Houser, Southern Rock legends The Marshall Tucker Band, and more, along with a surprise appearance from Alabama-native superstar Riley Green.

From the afternoon’s very first notes, Loblolly Fest fully delivered on White’s vision of bringing together neighbors, friends, and music lovers for an unforgettable day of powerhouse performances and down-home fun. After growing up in a house just behind what is now The Bluff Amphitheater — and discovering the property while exploring the woods as a kid — White became a co-owner of the newly revived venue and soon set out to create the kind of come-as-you-are gathering he’d always imagined for his hometown.

As the inaugural headliner for Loblolly Fest, Houser commanded the stage with a barn-burning set built on his fiery fusion of Country, Blues, and Southern Rock. Before bringing the night to a thrilling close, Houser welcomed Green and White to the stage for a rousing rendition of Green’s “Hell Of A Way To Go,” whose heartfelt tribute to life’s simple pleasures perfectly captured the essence of the festival. Keeping the excitement running high, Houser then teamed up with Green for a show-stopping cover of Toby Keith’s electrifying Country-Rock anthem “Courtesy Of The Red, White, And Blue.”

 

Pictured: Drake White, Randy Houser, and Riley Green

With gates opening at 1 p.m., Loblolly Fest kicked off with performances from local favorites Albert Simpson & John Kulinich and Adam Hood, followed by Country firebrand Kassi Ashton. Once again proving himself a master of incendiary Country-Soul, White then took the stage for a high-powered set featuring a special appearance from singer-songwriter Alex Jude, who joined him for their gospel-infused duet “Vagabond.” Adding an unexpected touch of romance to the day, two fans got engaged onstage during White’s set, making for a particularly heartwarming moment. From there, the festivities continued with a spirited performance from The Marshall Tucker Band, who brought the house down with their Southern Rock classic “Can’t You See.”

 

Pictured: Drake White and Alex Jude

Beyond the stage, Loblolly Fest embodied all the easygoing camaraderie of a good old-fashioned backyard party. One of the festival’s major attractions, The Grove offered an outdoor sports-bar area, where fans gathered around TVs to catch the day’s college football action. With the Alabama–Tennessee and Auburn–Georgia games drawing plenty of attention, the space united two iconic Southern fall traditions: college football and live music.

 

Fans watch the Georgia-Auburn game in The Grove

Named for the loblolly pines that blanket the region, Loblolly Fest also filled its picturesque grounds with a selection of vendors providing food, drinks, and shopping. Nearly all the vendors hailed from the surrounding area, reinforcing the festival’s decidedly local flavor. Among the day’s specialty offerings was the “Fire on the Mountain” cocktail from Alabama-based Back Forty Beer Company, while Alabama RV dealership Campers Unlimited sponsored a raffle for an Igloo cooler.

 

True to White’s mission of giving back to others, a portion of proceeds from Loblolly Fest went toward The Benefit For The Brain — a nonprofit he founded in the wake of his recovery from a life-altering onstage stroke, with the goal of raising funds and awareness for charitable organizations devoted to mental and brain health. Continuing that commitment, White will return to Nashville’s famed Ryman Auditorium on November 16 to host the third installment of his “Benefit For The Brain” charity concert. For more information, visit benefitforthebrain.com.

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 three in 2026. Over the past year, White turned the page on his next chapter with a hot streak of singles (“Nights on Fire,” “Nuthin’ But a Smile,” and “Tradition”), followed by “Vagabond” with Alex Jude in August 2026.

 

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