Bio
WHO IS EFFRON WHITE?
Seeing Effron White perform live is an experience that fans call, “Getting EFFRON-ized!”
Whether it's hearing Effron's signature hit song, "Long Haul", the heart-wrenching story of a trucker on his last long haul, or dancing in the aisles to the new, "Big L Love", getting EFFRON-ized is easy!
Short Bio:
Effron White is an Arkansas born and raised, award winning singer/songwriter now residing in Pineview, TN.
When you hear Effron White, you are immediately struck by the uniqueness of his songs and their delivery. His gravelly vocal brings to mind the likes of Tom Waits, John Prine, or Bob Dylan; yet, there's a personal earthiness that drives the emotional truth of his songs right into your heart.
As a songwriter, Effron draws his influences from those legends of the past who are looked upon as poets as much as songwriters; Bob Dylan, Townes Van Zandt, John Prine, and Guy Clark.
Currently, he performs nationwide with his duo partner, Lauren Blaine, as “EFFRON WHITE w/ Lauren Blaine”. Lauren is an accomplished writer and performer in her own right, and shares writing credits on a few songs on the new album. She hails from Los Angeles, CA, via her hometown of Stayton, Oregon. Like Effron she is a transplant to the Nashville area music scene, having boomeranged back and forth from LA to Nashville since the early 90s.
Together, they bring a unique sound to their brand of acoustic, Americana music.
Effron’s skills as a singer/songwriter have resulted in nationwide recognition. In 2004, Effron won the coveted "New Folk" Award at the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival. He has also been honored as a Northwest Arkansas Music Award's Hall of Fame Artist, as a result of having been voted Best Singer-Songwriter in three previous years. In 2010, he was featured in American Songwriter Magazine’s Lyric Spotlight for his song, "Long Haul", a story song about a down and out trucker. The same song won the Billboard Song Contest in 2011. He was selected as Nashville Ear’s (www.nashvilleear.com) “Best of the Best, 2019". He has performed in many venues featuring songwriters of the highest caliber, including the Kerrville Folk Festival (Kerrville, TX), the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival (Okemah, OK), the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival (Perdido Key, FL), the 30A Songwriters Festival (Santa Rosa Beach, FL), the Nashville Songwriters Festival, The Bluebird Cafe (Nashville, TN), Douglas Corner Cafe (Nashville, TN), and Bass Performance Hall’s McDavid Studio (Fort Worth, TX).
His 2012 album, “Long Haul”, was co-produced with Texas Music Awards “Producer of the Year, 2012”, John Inmon. With 4 CDs under his belt, Effron projects his 5th album will be released in 2023.
Two of Effron’s original songs were recently used in the award winning indie film, “Samland”, available on most streaming platforms, distributed by Gravitas.
Quotes:
"I propose any list of the best Country songs ever written includes "Long Haul" by Effron White. Seriously great." Kyle Kellams, KUAF-FM (NPR)
"That's the BEST version of that song I have EVER heard!” - Guy Clark said after Effron played his EFFRON-ized version of "L.A. Freeway" for Clark at MerleFest.
"EFFRON HAS MORE GRAVEL IN HIS VOICE THAN A MILE OF COUNTRY ROAD!" -- Multi-hit writer, Jerry Foster - 61 ASCAP awards, Nashville Songwriters Association Inernational Hall of Fame
"EFFRON WHITE IS THE WILLIE NELSON OF THE 21ST CENTURY."
Roy August - Co-Writer "Sittin' Fancy Free" (Oak Ridge Boys)
“THIS CD MUST BE HEARD!” Paul Pearcy, speaking of “Paradiso Loco”.
"Effron White has what it takes as a songwriter. Every song tells a story and his voice is full of the character needed to deliver it." Paul Pearcy, musician (Jerry Jeff Walker, Lost Gonzo Band, Terri Hendrix Band)
Long Bio:
White is originally from West Memphis, Arkansas. He moved to Fayetteville, AR to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Arkansas. While in Fayetteville, Effron and Elmo Sapwater started a musical duo, Sapwater & White. After graduation, White pursued his fine art career while working on his Master of Fine Arts degree. It wasn't until 14 years later that Effron's attention turned back to music and songwriting.
While becoming a well-known Singer/Songwriter in Fayetteville, Effron went to the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival (in Kerrville, TX) and was chosen as one of the winners of the highly regarded "New Folk Award". Following that, he engaged in a couple of "Big Texas Mini Tours" (including opening for the late, great Billy Joe Shaver). During this time, he became a NW Arkansas Music Awards Hall of Fame artist, after winning “Best Singer/Songwriter” in 3 previous years. In addition, White has performed at MerleFest (where he participated in an after-hours guitar pull with Guy Clark), Woody Guthrie Folk Festival (7 years running), 30A Songwriters Festival, Nashville Songwriters Festival, Ozark Folk Festival, Walnut Valley Festival, Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival, and others.
Fast forward to 2014, Effron made his move to Nashville, Tennessee. He has had the honor of performing his original songs in Music City, with such notable artist/songwriters as Jimmy Payne ("Woman, Woman", Gary Puckett and the Union Gap), Jerry Foster ("39 and Holding", "I'll Think of Something", & other hits for Jerry Lee Lewis, Mickey Gilly, Hank Williams, Jr., etc.), Jon Ims (“She's in Love with the Boy”, Trisha Yearwood), Shawn Camp ("Two Pina Coladas" for Garth Brooks), Tony Lane (“Run”, George Straight), Roy August (“Fancy Free” for The Oak Ridge Boys), Pam Belford (“If You Know Me”, George Straight), Billy Lee (“The One”, Gary Allen), and Lauren Mascitti (“God Made a Woman” - American Idol Contestant).
Currently, he performs nationwide with his duo partner, Lauren Blaine, as “EFFRON WHITE w/ Lauren Blaine”. Lauren is an accomplished writer and performer in her own right, and shares writing credits on a few songs on the new album. She hails from Los Angeles, CA, via her hometown of Stayton, Oregon. Like Effron, she is a transplant to the Nashville area music scene, having boomeranged back and forth from LA to Nashville since the early 90s.
Together, they bring a unique sound to their brand of acoustic Americana music.
He has four albums to his credit (which you can listen to/download HERE), "Long Haul", "Yankee Dime", "Paradiso Loco", and "Day in the Sun". He is currently working on a new album with, some say, his best, brand new, original songs (with an EFFRON-ized cover of “Folsom Prison Blues” thrown in). Release date is slated for 2024. Keep an eye out on this site for a chance order a pre-release of the new album, “My Heart Plays These Songs”.
COMPLETE LIST OF ACCOLADES:
2010-AMERICAN SONGWRITER MAGAZINE “Lyric Spotlight”- March/April Issue
2008- NW Arkansas Music Awards HALL OF FAME
2008- OZARK FOLK FESTIVAL Song Contest Finalist
2007- NORTHWEST ARKANSAS MUSIC AWARDS "Best Singer-Songwriter"
2006- NORTHWEST ARKANSAS MUSIC AWARDS "Best Singer-Songwriter"
2004- KERRVILLE FOLK FESTIVAL "New Folk Competition for Emerging Songwriters", Winner
2003- OZARK FOLK FESTIVAL Folk Song Contest, 3rd Place
2003- OKLAHOMA SONGWRITERS AND COMPOSERS ASSOC. (OSCA) One Plus One Song Contest, 1st Place
2002- OZARK MUSIC AWARDS "Best Original Song" ('Yankee Dime")
2002- NORTHWEST ARKANSAS MUSIC AWARDS "Best Folk Artist"
2001- GREAT AMERICAN SONGWRITING CONTEST "Honor Award"
2001- UNISONG INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING CONTEST Finalist
2001- OKLAHOMA SONGWRITERS AND COMPOSERS ASSOC. (OSCA) One Plus One Song Contest, 2nd Place & Honorable Mention
2001- COOCH MUSIC SONG CONTEST Honorable Mention
2000- OKLAHOMA SONGWRITERS AND COMPOSERS ASSOC. (OSCA) One Plus One Song Contest, 1st Place
2000- WOODY GUTHRIE SONGWRITING COMPETITION, 3rd Place
2000- ENORMOUS RECORDS Song Contest, Grand Prize Winner
1999- CHRIS AUSTIN SONGWRITING CONTEST (MERLEFEST), 2nd Place (Country)
1998- WALNUT VALLEY FESTIVAL (WINFIELD, KS), "NewSongs Showcase" Selectee
"...but the best award is when someone tells you you've touched their heart with a song." -Effron
Quotes:
"I propose any list of the best Country songs ever written includes "Long Haul" by Effron White. Seriously great." Kyle Kellams, KUAF-FM (NPR)
"That's the BEST version of that song I have EVER heard!” - Guy Clark said after Effron played his EFFRON-ized version of "L.A. Freeway" for Clark at MerleFest.
"EFFRON HAS MORE GRAVEL IN HIS VOICE THAN A MILE OF COUNTRY ROAD!" -- Multi-hit writer, Jerry Foster - 61 ASCAP awards, Nashville Songwriters Association Inernational Hall of Fame
"EFFRON WHITE IS THE WILLIE NELSON OF THE 21ST CENTURY."
Roy August - Co-Writer "Sittin' Fancy Free" (Oak Ridge Boys)
“THIS CD MUST BE HEARD!” Paul Pearcy, speaking of “Paradiso Loco”.
"Effron White has what it takes as a songwriter. Every song tells a story and his voice is full of the character needed to deliver it." Paul Pearcy, musician (Jerry Jeff Walker, Lost Gonzo Band, Terri Hendrix Band)
CONTACT:
Effron White’s official website: www.EffronMusic.com
Email: MusicCityEffron@gmail.com
Effron White’s cell phone: 479-200-1631 or 615-609-9829 (Blaine Artist Management - BAM)
CLICK HERE CALENDAR SECTION (Tour Dates - Get EFFRON-ized) OR IN THE MENU TO FIND OUT WHEN EFFRON IS TOURING THROUGH YOUR TOWN!
WATCH THIS SITE FOR HIS NEW ALBUM RELEASE, "My Heart Plays These Songs"!
