Brooke White: Biography

• Overview
• Discography
• Biography
• Related Artists

• Sara Bareilles
• Marié Digby
• Colbie Caillat
• Caitlin Crosby
• Kris Allen
• Diane Birch
• Jason Castro

• Carole King
• Carly Simon
• Sheryl Crow
• Kelly Clarkson
• Joni Mitchell

Born:

Jun 2, 1983 in AZ

Genres:

Rock Music, Singer/Songwriter Rock Music, Adult Alternative

Decades Active:

2000's

Before she appeared in the seventh season of American Idol, Brooke White cut her teeth as a smalltime singer/songwriter in the vein of Carly Simon and Carole King, two icons whose influence helped her earn a fifth place finish during the Idol competition. Born in Phoenix and raised in the nearby town of Mesa, AZ, White grew up amidst the sounds of her parents' record collection: James Taylor, Elton John, Carly Simon, and other artists from the 1970s. She began singing publicly during high school, having landed the titular role in a production of +Kiss Me Kate, and a brief stint in beauty school failed to keep her from pursuing a songwriting career after graduation. She shelved her beauty coursework and focused on music instead, issuing an album entitled Songs from the Attic while working as a nanny to make ends meet. White then auditioned for American Idol in late 2007, where the show's new allowance for instrumental accompaniment (in previous seasons, contestants were not allowed to play an instrument onstage) worked to her advantage. White played piano and guitar during her time on the show, effectively displaying herself as something more than a simple vocalist, and she readied herself for a record contract after the show's conclusion.

- Andrew Leahey, All Music Guide