Amber Leigh White has been in the business for years, sneaking around behind the scenes, and even had a record deal with Dreamworks Records, shortly before the label closed. Despite all of this success, her song "Collide" is her first single ever to be released to iTunes! To document this success, we has a chance to catch up with her, to learn more about her song, and the long journey she has taken to get to this place.
Interview:
Queens of Country: "Collide" is your first single on iTunes! How does that feel?
Amber Leigh White: Crazy excited about "Collide" on iTunes!!! Can't believe it took me so long to get one on! But when I searched my name, my song looks lonely so I will definitely be putting more songs up soon!!
What was your inspiration behind the song?
I got to write "Collide" with Josh Jenkins, lead singer from the band Green River Ordinance and Nashville songwriter Phillip White and we were sitting around thinking about what would be a good subject for Lady Antebellum to sing about. I think the idea of crashing into love came up and then "Collide" came out along the way. We originally cut it for a guy but I decided to do a girl version and it became the choice for my first single. Great co-write with good friends!!
You've worked with Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, and Jake Owen before. How was that experience, and how did working with some of the most successful singers in the country music industry help you as an artist?
Well, I met Blake Shelton the very first few months I was in Nashville, TN in 1994. We got hooked up in a songwriter group they played around Nash called "The Young Writers". Artist Rachel Proctor was also in our group and Rob Byus who is still playing bass for Blake to this day. These are lifelong friends and co-writers of mine and I'm so proud of their accomplishments.
I met Luke when he was first in town and I watched him travel back and forth from Georgia and Florida playing in his band back to Nashville to write and network. He worked so hard and it has paid off big for him. "You Make Me Want To" is a song I co-wrote with him on his first record. I am happy to say that it has done well in the US as well as internationally. Love Luke!!
I met Jake Owen when he first launched out of Nashville through another co-writer and have become close friends with him and his wife Lacey and baby Pearl. So thankful for my friendship with them!!
I think all of the artists I have known just inspire me to do what we do and work hard to get our music out because we believe in it so much!!
You've also had the chance to work with newcomer Abbi Scott. What is your favorite song you and Abbi have worked on together, and to you, what makes her special and unique as an artist?
Miss Abbi Scott is just my precious little country music girlfriend!!! I have known Abbi and her family since she was 14. She has been coming to Nashville building her catalog and contacts and I'm just super impressed by her efforts as an artist! She is a natural entertainer and is really nailing her brand and fan base. Worked with her on her single "Got My Own Shotgun" which is SO Abbi!! She also recorded my song "Yesterday's Daisies" which I think is a perfect song for her sassy character and age. Abbi is going to make it happen and has inspired me to keep living the music!! I love her!!!
According to your Facebook page, you've been through some tough times in your life. How have those experiences helped you as a songwriter?
Well, I don't like to dwell on hard stuff but I did go through teenage pregnancy which I've written about in several of my most personal songs. "Easy Loving You" is a song I will be releasing soon. This song is the true story of my journey with my daughter Jordyn Leigh and being a mom at 17 years old. The fact is those kind of things go through a person's mind everyday like a place you've been that you can't believe you survived. My Jordyn is 25 this year and I am so proud that love brought us through the hard stuff and we are crazy blessed!!! I think true life experiences of my own and others are where most of my songs come from.
Last question. As a female singer/songwriter in the country music industry, what challenges have you faced, or seen others face? Do you think the women will begin to get more airplay in the upcoming years, or do you think that we will be stuck in the bro-country phase for a while longer?
Life is a challenge in general and we have to just keep following the passion if we have enough desire. I feel like the country market is very crowded so it's hard to think on super star status. I think country music scene is breaking off into a lot of different opportunities because of different technology. As far as female artists go, I think it's up to us girls!!!! We have a lot of power because honestly we are the ones making all these guys so popular!! I am hoping my music will reach the female population with a sense of friendship that all of us girls want. I might not be saying "Country Girl Shake It For Me" - I would probably say "Ask anybody who really rules the world...GIRLS" - that's a line from my song "Girls".
Thank you, Amber Leigh, for taking the time to talk with us! Check out some fun facts about her below, and also click the links below to buy her single and follow her on social media.
Fun Facts:
Born: Victoria, TX
Age when she wrote her first song: at 13 with my friend Jenny Williams and we sang it at our 8th grade promotion.
First Album Bought: George Strait "Something Special" in 1985 was the first record I bought. "The Chair" was my favorite for a long time. I went to see him at the Houston Livestock Show when I was 12.
Favorite Artist: I'll have to stick with my girl crush of George Strait on favorite artist, but as far as females, it's a cross between Patty Loveless, Tricia Yearwood, Shania, and Sarah Evans. Love them all!!
Favorite Song: I love so many songs it's not fair to pick one. It's too hard!!
Career Idol: George Strait or Reba McEntire, just truly classic artists.
Buy "Collide" on iTunes and follow Amber Leigh on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with her next musical ventures.
Queens of Country: "Collide" is your first single on iTunes! How does that feel?
Amber Leigh White: Crazy excited about "Collide" on iTunes!!! Can't believe it took me so long to get one on! But when I searched my name, my song looks lonely so I will definitely be putting more songs up soon!!
What was your inspiration behind the song?
I got to write "Collide" with Josh Jenkins, lead singer from the band Green River Ordinance and Nashville songwriter Phillip White and we were sitting around thinking about what would be a good subject for Lady Antebellum to sing about. I think the idea of crashing into love came up and then "Collide" came out along the way. We originally cut it for a guy but I decided to do a girl version and it became the choice for my first single. Great co-write with good friends!!
You've worked with Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, and Jake Owen before. How was that experience, and how did working with some of the most successful singers in the country music industry help you as an artist?
Well, I met Blake Shelton the very first few months I was in Nashville, TN in 1994. We got hooked up in a songwriter group they played around Nash called "The Young Writers". Artist Rachel Proctor was also in our group and Rob Byus who is still playing bass for Blake to this day. These are lifelong friends and co-writers of mine and I'm so proud of their accomplishments.
I met Luke when he was first in town and I watched him travel back and forth from Georgia and Florida playing in his band back to Nashville to write and network. He worked so hard and it has paid off big for him. "You Make Me Want To" is a song I co-wrote with him on his first record. I am happy to say that it has done well in the US as well as internationally. Love Luke!!
I met Jake Owen when he first launched out of Nashville through another co-writer and have become close friends with him and his wife Lacey and baby Pearl. So thankful for my friendship with them!!
I think all of the artists I have known just inspire me to do what we do and work hard to get our music out because we believe in it so much!!
You've also had the chance to work with newcomer Abbi Scott. What is your favorite song you and Abbi have worked on together, and to you, what makes her special and unique as an artist?
Miss Abbi Scott is just my precious little country music girlfriend!!! I have known Abbi and her family since she was 14. She has been coming to Nashville building her catalog and contacts and I'm just super impressed by her efforts as an artist! She is a natural entertainer and is really nailing her brand and fan base. Worked with her on her single "Got My Own Shotgun" which is SO Abbi!! She also recorded my song "Yesterday's Daisies" which I think is a perfect song for her sassy character and age. Abbi is going to make it happen and has inspired me to keep living the music!! I love her!!!
According to your Facebook page, you've been through some tough times in your life. How have those experiences helped you as a songwriter?
Well, I don't like to dwell on hard stuff but I did go through teenage pregnancy which I've written about in several of my most personal songs. "Easy Loving You" is a song I will be releasing soon. This song is the true story of my journey with my daughter Jordyn Leigh and being a mom at 17 years old. The fact is those kind of things go through a person's mind everyday like a place you've been that you can't believe you survived. My Jordyn is 25 this year and I am so proud that love brought us through the hard stuff and we are crazy blessed!!! I think true life experiences of my own and others are where most of my songs come from.
Last question. As a female singer/songwriter in the country music industry, what challenges have you faced, or seen others face? Do you think the women will begin to get more airplay in the upcoming years, or do you think that we will be stuck in the bro-country phase for a while longer?
Life is a challenge in general and we have to just keep following the passion if we have enough desire. I feel like the country market is very crowded so it's hard to think on super star status. I think country music scene is breaking off into a lot of different opportunities because of different technology. As far as female artists go, I think it's up to us girls!!!! We have a lot of power because honestly we are the ones making all these guys so popular!! I am hoping my music will reach the female population with a sense of friendship that all of us girls want. I might not be saying "Country Girl Shake It For Me" - I would probably say "Ask anybody who really rules the world...GIRLS" - that's a line from my song "Girls".
Thank you, Amber Leigh, for taking the time to talk with us! Check out some fun facts about her below, and also click the links below to buy her single and follow her on social media.
Fun Facts:
Born: Victoria, TX
Age when she wrote her first song: at 13 with my friend Jenny Williams and we sang it at our 8th grade promotion.
First Album Bought: George Strait "Something Special" in 1985 was the first record I bought. "The Chair" was my favorite for a long time. I went to see him at the Houston Livestock Show when I was 12.
Favorite Artist: I'll have to stick with my girl crush of George Strait on favorite artist, but as far as females, it's a cross between Patty Loveless, Tricia Yearwood, Shania, and Sarah Evans. Love them all!!
Favorite Song: I love so many songs it's not fair to pick one. It's too hard!!
Career Idol: George Strait or Reba McEntire, just truly classic artists.
Buy "Collide" on iTunes and follow Amber Leigh on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with her next musical ventures.
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