About Brenda White By the age of 3, she already had turned her backyard in
tiny Aubrey, Arkansas, into a make-believe audition for Carnegie Hall. It was there that little Brenda White, standing on a Number 3 washtub and screaming into the end of Coke bottle, unleashed her vocal cords. It was the beginning of a musical journey that has taken Brenda through every genre imaginable – blues, R&B, top 40, ballads, reggae and a healthy dose of gospel. She uses a stage now instead of the back yard in Arkansas, and she uses a microphone instead of a Coke bottle. But if you listen very carefully, there are still traces of that child when she performs her latest album, A LONG TIME COMING…But I Made It, and its title rendition, “A Long Time Coming”. Among her first memories was as a child of 2 or 3 years old singing on Easter Sunday in Aubrey’s Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. Her musical career gained momentum when, at the age of 14 she and her sisters, the Singing Robinson Sisters, toured Arkansas in the gubernatorial campaign of Winthrop Rockefeller. Brenda was a regular on the talent-show circuit in Arkansas in her high school years, even more so in college. By the age of 20, a professional band in Little Rock who specialized in Top-40 tunes hired her. From Little Rock to Nashville, from Nashville to Houston, from Houston to Augusta, Georgia, where the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, walked in on her performance in Pappy’s nightclub and was so impressed that he hired her on the spot to join the famous group. A personality clash meant they would not stay together for a long period, but Brenda learned from the experience, both professionally and personally. She says today that much of her singing style came about from watching the famed master Brown on the stage. As befits Brenda’s natural sense of humor, she organized her band, “Brenda White and The White Boys,” after a change of residence to her present home in Orlando, Florida. She placed an ad in the newspaper to audition musicians for the band, and keyboard player Steve Sienkiewicz answered. Glancing at Brenda, who is black, and then at those present for the audition – the majority of which were white – he immediately dubbed them “Brenda White and The White Boys.” Brenda liked the moniker so much that it became the name of her group. “Brenda White and The White Boys” have played from the East to the West Coasts since they first formed 18 years ago. The past three years Brenda and the band have made it to the pinnacle, giving repeat performances at the world renowned Monterey Bay Blues Festival in Monterey, Calif. Ten of the fourteen songs in this new CD were written by Brenda White, produced by Brenda. The consultant is Dexter Redding, the son of the late great R&B artist Otis Redding. This is the third album by Brenda White and The White Boys following their debut CD, “Reflections” and their second CD “You’ve Gotten Use To Me.”
Accolades for Brenda White Management by, Peterson & Eldridge, Associates, LLC.
Juneteenth Blues Festival 6/19/2010 –
To Whom It May Concern: The Association to Preserve African American Society, History and Tradition, Inc. (PAST, Inc.) is the operator of the Wellsâ€&#x;Built Museum of African American History & Culture. PAST presented the annual Florida Juneteenth Festival in Orlando from June 12, to June 19, 2010. We are proud to have been blessed with the services of Brenda White and the White Boys. They have crafted and excellent show full of energy and professionalism. My staff, as well as the audience, enjoyed the performance. I had heard of Ms. White and her work, but I was not prepared for what she and her band brought to Lake Eola!! The rocked and really entertained the people. We Look forward to having Ms. White and her talents on display again at our 2011 festival. Sincerely, Derrick Gatlin, Executive Director 511 W. South Street Orlando, FL 32805 (407) 245-7535
This spectacular review was written by Harold Conover, better known as "Blues Man", editor of the Chittlin' Circuit Magazine and President of Jus Blues Music Foundation. Brenda White and The White boys have once again hit the music world with an aweinspiring CD. The Bands music can only be surpassed by the vocals of Ms. White. Ms. White's voice is astounding! The inflections, modulation etc…it is a breathtaking instrument that instantly beguiles the listener. The minute the CD is finished one wants a repeat. Brenda White and the White Boys can only be labeled as incredible. A collection of both CDs is a must for anyone that has a love of the Blues, Jazz or Soul. "Muzic Talk” only has five stars but for this Group, we need another they are truly over the top." (October 2009)
Tina honey you rocked the house! I wish I had more stage for you to do your thing. Even with the limitations you were “Freaking Amazing!” - Your favorite Groupie!! Lori Blair Manager of Events & Promotions Sysco Central Florida "You were there in a heartbeat when you heard what we were planning for the event! And then, you showed up and "ELECTRIFIED" the room as Orlando's queen of soul, and with you outstanding Tina Turner stylized presentation!" A Big HUG and KISS goes out to YOU!! Thanks! J. Michael Hicks, VP of Programs and Education-ISES, Orlando
DON’T FORGET THE LYRICS: NEW Celebrity Edition! Published by, Set News on Tuesday, September 9th 2008. Under FOX Tags: Al B. Sure, Brenda White, Dallas Mavericks, Eddie Money, Jesse Money, Mark Cuban, Sister Sledge, The Robinsons
HOLLYWOOD JUNKET host attended the recent tapings of “Don’t Forget the Lyrics”. Written by, Charity C. The Robinsons, Sister Sledge, Eddie Money, Jesse Money, Mark Cuban, and, Al B. Sure were the highlights of my fun filled exciting day! I watched four tapings of “Don‟t Forget the Lyrics”, hosted by Wayne Brady! “Ain‟t No Mountain High Enough”, “We are Family”, “Baby Hold On to Me”, “Day or Night”, and “The Dallas Mavericks” are stuck in my brain right now!
The sister of the Robinsons, Brenda White, competed today, and her beautiful sisters were there to support her and performed, “Ain‟t No Mountain High Enough”! Brenda had the energy of Tina Turner and could perform just like Tina! The audience had goose bumps during her performance! Sister Sledge sang “We are Family” to help support a father and son team during the show! The family explained that the song, “We are Family” helped them have team spirit.
Universal Studios
From her early gospel roots in Aubrey, Arkansas to her tour days with the legendary James Brown, Brenda White has become a singer whose musical repertoire is as wideranging as the 88 keys on a piano. From cool jazz to hot rhythm and blues, Brenda White and the White Boys are nothing short of amazing. Don't miss this very moving musical experience.
MONTEREY BAY BLUES FESTIVAL
July 2, 2002 To: Brenda White RE: June MBBF Performance On behalf of the Monterey Bay Blues Festival Board of Directors, I’d like to thank you and your group for being a part of helping to make the Monterey Bay Blues Festival 2002 an overwhelming success. The Board takes pride in bringing quality talent to the Festival and I commend you on meeting and exceeding our expectations. I wish you continued success in your career and hopefully we will have the opportunity of working with you again in the future. Thanks again for your wonderful performance and keep on keeping the blues alive. Sincerely, James Claypool, Talent Chairperson
P. O. BOX 1400, SEASIDE, CA 93955 (831) 394-2652, FAX: (831) 393-8273 E-mail: mbbf@montereyblues.com Website: www.montereyblues.com
MONTEREY BAY BLUES FESTIVAL
July 6, 2001 TO: Brenda White FROM: James Claypool, Talent Chairperson RE: June MBBF Performance I wanted to take a moment to let you know how much we appreciated your performance at the 16th Annual Monterey Bay Blues festival held last month. The audience was extremely appreciative of your upbeat, high quality performance and your set was a difficult one to follow! Thank you for exceeding our expectations and those of the loyal MBBF fans. Please keep the Monterey Bay Blues Festival in mind and hopefully you might grace our stage sometime in the near future. If you have any suggestions as to how to make our Festival better, we are always ready to consider valuable input from capable artists like yourself. Best regards for a continued and successful musical future. Please know that your fans are blessed. P. O. BOX 1400, SEASIDE, CA 93955 (831) 394 2652, FAX: (831) 393-8273 E-mail: mbbf@montereyblues.com Website: www.montereyblues.com
SOUTHWEST ORLANDO BULLETIN
Orlando-based singing diva Brenda White appeared in the 16th annual Monterey Bay Blues Festival, which took place on the ocean side of the Monterey Peninsula in California. One of the country‟s largest blues events, MBBF attracts more than 50,000 guests, as well as who‟s who in the music industry. B.B. King, Nancy Wilson, Smokey Robinson, and Edgar Winter, among others, have graced the festival‟s stages, and this year‟s lineup included Little Richard, James Brown and Etta James. According to several sources, White‟s performance was quite impressive: “Truly, Brenda White surprised us all and far exceeded our expectations as a firsttime performer at the MBBF,” said James Claypool, talent Chairperson of MBBF. “I am still receiving calls and mail about her outstanding performance. She is a great talent and a consummate professional, in my humble opinion. Look for bigger things to come from her.” “I have seen some awesome talent come in all shapes and sizes,” said Buddy Lowe, local DJ for 1410AM and MBBF‟S stage host. “Brenda White is an outstanding talent and was the „shocker‟ of the festival.”
Excerpts from Southwest Orlando Bulletin, dated July 3, 2001
David’s Entertainment News David‟s Entertainment News Peter Scotts Brenda White, what can you say about Brenda White! What a voice she has, what a great entertainer, from her cool and sassy jazz to her exciting R&B. Have you heard her sing Proud Mary? Our house band, Sound Experience, has been getting better and better and they were great to start with!!! Miss Brenda White is the latest member of the band. Have you heard her? She is one of the best performers to appear on the Peter Scott‟s Stage. The evening starts with cool jazz to accompany your dining, and as the evening progresses the place heats up! Brenda‟s rendition of Tina Turner‟s Proud Mary is none other than amazing. Brenda is the first artist here to receive a standing ovation! I kid you not, last Saturday she sang an Aretha Franklin Gospel song, and as she finished, the whole room stood to applaud! It was a very moving experience! Don't miss the queen of Rhythm & Blues, Miss Brenda White.
In the words of Brenda’s good friend, blues legend, Sonny Rhodes, while on tour together in Europe, as Brenda left the stage and Sonny came on, he said, “Ms. White I told you to warm’em up for me, not start no fire!”
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