Lari White at Freedom Hall. Photo by Michael Stout
Lari White turned in an incredible, twothumbs-up performance November 17 in the East Hall of the Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center as part of the North American International Livestock Exposition. Lari (she wants everyone to know that her name is pronounced to rhyme with "starry") told Louisville Music News that she feels her music is "indescribable, unlabelable." And she truly proved this with her powerful set of tunes ranging from her first top-ten hit, "That's My Baby," to her current smash release, "Now I Know," to Patsy Cline's "Walkin' After Midnight."
Lari's musical influences range from Glen Campbell, to Beethoven, to Bach, to Ray Charles. She paid tribute to Charles by singing a very soulful, country rendition of "Lay Around And Love On You." One of the greatest highlights of the evening was Lari's spine-chilling, absolutely unforgettable cover of one of her greatest hero's most memo table songs, Dolly Parton's "Jolene." Lari has a vocal style ranging from an innocent, purring kitten to a ravenous wildcat and never hits one bad note.
Lari has been in Nashville for six and a half years pursuing her singing-songwriting career and is starting to really get some long overdue recognition with her second RCA release, Wishes. Along with touring, she is beginning to write new material for her third album, which she predicts she'll cut in the spring of 1995. She hopes it will be released in the fall.
Like any other artist, Lari wishes for a "long career of interesting music and platinum albums." Ask Santa for Wishes this Christmas and maybe Lari'swishes will come true. Also, be on the lookout for Lari on Alabama's TNN Christmas special which she says is scheduled to air December 16.
By the way, Lari is thrilled that one of her Christmas wishes has already come true: She will be spending this Christmas at home in Nashville, alone with her husband of nine months, songwriter Chuck Cannon. Merry Christmas, Lari and we wish you a very joyful and prosperous New Year!