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Lari Michele White Cannon (/ˈlɑːri/, LAH-ree;[2] May 13, 1965 – January 23, 2018) was an American country musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her debut in 1988 after winning You Can Be a Star, a televised talent competition on The Nashville Network. After an unsuccessful stint on Capitol Records Nashville, she signed to RCA Records Nashville in 1993.

White released four albums for RCA between then and 1997: Lead Me Not, Wishes, Don't Fence Me In, and the compilation The Best of Lari White. Wishes was certified gold and charted three top-ten hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts: "That's My Baby", "Now I Know", and "That's How You Know (When You're in Love)". In 1998, she was the first artist signed to the former Lyric Street Records; she released Stepping Stone before leaving the label in 2000, and recorded all subsequent projects independently.

Her musical style is defined by her vocal delivery and a variety of musical influences including country, blues, and contemporary R&B. In addition to her own work, White has produced albums for Toby Keith and Billy Dean, and has written songs for Tammy Wynette, Travis Tritt, Danny Gokey, and Sarah Buxton. She also acted in the television pilot XXX's and OOO's, the 2000 movie Cast Away, and her own cabaret production My First Affair. White was also married to songwriter Chuck Cannon until her death from peritoneal cancer in 2018.

Biography

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Early life

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Lari Michele White was born May 13, 1965, in Dunedin, Florida. Her parents, Larry and Yvonne White, were both school teachers.[3] As a child, she sang in her family's gospel group called The White Family Singers. The group included both parents along with her sister (Natasha) and brother (Torne).[3][1] White took piano lessons starting at age four, and continued to play throughout her childhood despite losing her left pinky finger in an accident.[4] She sang at talent contests, and performed in a local rock band called White Sound. She graduated from Dunedin High School in 1983.[4] In 1987, she graduated from the University of Miami's Frost School of Music, where she studied vocal technique and sound engineering.[3] During this time she also composed music and performed in local clubs.[1] While at Frost School of Music, White was a classmate of Paul Deakin, who would go on to become a founding member of The Mavericks.[5] White made her first national appearance in 1988 on the television talent show You Can Be a Star on the former TNN (The Nashville Network);[6][7] she won first prize, including a recording contract with Capitol Records Nashville. She released one single through Capitol titled "Flying Above the Rain", which she wrote with Lisa Silver.[8] When it failed to chart, White was dropped from Capitol's roster without releasing anything else.[1] Following her departure, White continued focused on songwriting, which led to Tammy Wynette recording her song "Where's the Fire?" in 1990.[9] She also did radio and television commercial jingles in this time span.[10]

1993: Lead Me Not

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Singer Rodney Crowell sitting on a stool, singing into a microphone while strumming a guitar.
White sang backing vocals for Rodney Crowell, who produced her debut album.

In the early 1990s, she joined a publishing house owned by Ronnie Milsap, also taking acting lessons and performing at local dinner theaters. White ultimately decided not to pursue acting at the time, as she preferred music. Despite this, she attributed the acting lessons as helping her become more confident on stage.[9] White unsuccessfully auditioned to become lead singer of the band Highway 101 after their previous vocalist (Paulette Carlson) quit. After attending an American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) showcase in 1991, she was discovered by a cousin of country singer Rodney Crowell, who at the time was looking for a backing vocalist in his touring band. Crowell liked her vocals and thus encouraged her to sign with RCA Records Nashville, which she did in January 1992.[9][4]

In 1993, the label released her debut album Lead Me Not.[1] Co-produced with Crowell and guitarist Steuart Smith, the disc included three singles: "What a Woman Wants", the title track, and "Lay Around and Love on You". All three of these singles entered the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, although none reached the Top 40.[11] Both "What a Woman Wants" and the title track received music videos which were aired on CMT and TNN. The former was the first country music video to be shot in Europe; specifically, at a setting in Rome.[4] Research conducted by music journalist Joseph Fenity in 2021 declared the "Lead Me Not" video to be a lost television broadcast, as RCA Records Nashville executives were unable to find the video in their archives.[12] Smith also played guitar on the album, while Crowell, Claudia Church, Russ Taff, and Radney Foster provided background vocals.[13] Brian Mansfield of AllMusic noted the musical variety on the album, but thought that this variety kept the album's singles from being successful on the charts.[14] Alanna Nash shared a similar opinion in Entertainment Weekly, describing the album as "both dazzling in its diversity and confusing in its direction."[15]

1994–1995: Wishes

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In 1994, RCA Nashville released White's next studio album titled Wishes. The album was also her most commercially successful. It accounted for three consecutive top-ten entries on the Billboard country charts between then and 1995: "That's My Baby", "Now I Know", and "That's How You Know (When You're in Love)". Of these, "Now I Know" was her highest-ranking single with a peak of number five in 1995, while the other two both peaked at number ten.[11] White co-wrote both "That's My Baby" and "That's How You Know", plus three other songs on the album, with songwriter Chuck Cannon; the two of them married just before the album's release.[16] White said that the collaborations with Cannon came during writing sessions with him on his front porch at his home in Nashville, Tennessee.[10] Other contributing songwriters included Verlon Thompson, Suzi Ragsdale, Tom Shapiro, and Chris Waters. Garth Fundis produced the album; he also sang backing vocals on it alongside Thompson, Cannon, and Hal Ketchum, the last of whom did so on "That's How You Know".[17][18] "That's My Baby", upon its release, had a music video which received rotation on VH-1.[19] Richard McVey of Cash Box wrote that "Now I Know" was "rich lyrically and vocally".[20] Reviewing the album for AllMusic, Johnny Loftus praised White's "torchy vocal" along with the "grit" of the musicianship.[21] Pete Couture of the Tampa Bay Times called the album "a meditation on love", and praised the vocal performances on the singles in particular.[19]

On May 15, 1995, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) gave Wishes a gold certification for shipments of 500,000 copies in the United States.[22] White also received a nomination by the Academy of Country Music awards for Best New Female artist. White accompanied this with an acoustic set at Fan Fair (now CMA Music Festival) in 1994, followed by her first tour in 1995.[23] She also starred in XXX's and OOO's, a 1994 television pilot for CBS.[24][25]

1996–1997: Don't Fence Me In and other contributions

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White's next release was Don't Fence Me In in early 1996. The title track was a cover of the Cole Porter-written song made famous by The Andrews Sisters. White's rendition included backing vocals from Shelby Lynne and Trisha Yearwood.[8] White said that she perceived Don't Fence Me In as a concept album with a central theme of "breaking down barriers" and "rising above tough circumstances", according to New Country magazine.[26] The album's lead-off single was "Ready, Willing and Able", previously recorded by Daron Norwood in 1995 as the title track to his second album.[27][11] White's rendition of the song was a Top 20 hit in 1996, although the follow-up single "Wild at Heart" did not reach Top 40.[11] The latter song's music video was withdrawn from television networks TNN and CMT after only a month due to mental health organizations protesting its use of a psychiatric hospital as a setting.[28][26] Despite this, the video has since been made available online via Vevo.[29] Writing for Country Standard Time, McVey stated that "With grittier-style vocals, a lot of attitude and definite musical growth, White offers up an album that has finally seen her come into her own". He found influences of contemporary R&B and blues in White's delivery and production.[30] Jim Ridley of New Country magazine praised the album's concepts and the cover songs, along with the slide guitar work of Mike Henderson and the vocal contributions from Lynne and Yearwood, but criticized Josh Leo's production as "slick and syrupy".[31]

White and Cannon co-wrote and sang backing vocals on "The Lonely", a track from Toby Keith's 1996 album Blue Moon.[32] She also co-wrote and sang duet vocals on Travis Tritt's mid-1997 single "Helping Me Get Over You", from his album The Restless Kind.[11] Her final release for RCA was a greatest hits package called The Best of Lari White reprising all her singles to that point. Also included on the album was her rendition of the hymn "Amazing Grace",[33] which had previously been released as a single from the 1995 Sparrow Records multi-artist compilation Amazing Grace: A Country Salute to Gospel.[34] She covered another hymn, "There Is Power in the Blood", for the soundtrack of the 1997 Robert Duvall movie The Apostle.[35] After The Best of Lari White, she exited RCA.[35] At the time, she cited "lack of commitment" from RCA executives, as well as the birth of her daughter, as reasons for her departure.[36]

1998–1999: Stepping Stone

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Country music singer Toby Keith singing into a microphone, holding the neck of a guitar with his left hand while his right hand points upward.
White collaborated with Toby Keith on several occasions.

White's third recording contract came in 1998 when she signed to Lyric Street Records, then a newly founded country music label owned by Disney Music Group.[6] The label's then-president, Randy Goodman, had selected her as the first act for the new label. Her 1998 single "Stepping Stone" was the label's first release.[35] At the time, Goodman thought that making White the first artist signed to Lyric Street would help raise awareness of the new label, due to her previous chart successes.[35] The song originated with a poem that co-writer David Kent had e-mailed to White prior to her signing.[35] "Stepping Stone" became a top 20 country hit in 1998; it was also her only entry on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 73.[11] The corresponding album, also titled Stepping Stone, came out later in the year. It accounted for two more singles with "Take Me" and "John Wayne Walking Away", which were less successful on the charts.[11]

Lyric Street Records executives allowed White to choose her own producer, and she chose Dann Huff.[35] Huff also played lead guitar on the album; he was joined on bass guitar by Mike Brignardello, with whom he previously recorded in the hair metal band Giant. Cannon played acoustic guitar on the album, while Mary Ann Kennedy and Pam Rose were among the backing vocalists.[37] The album included a duet with Toby Keith on the Robert John "Mutt" Lange composition "Only God (Could Stop Me Loving You)", and Keith also co-wrote the track "Tired".[37] "Only God (Could Stop Me Loving You)" was later recorded by Canadian country band Emerson Drive on their 2002 self-titled album,[38] and "Flies on the Butter (You Can't Go Home Again)" by Wynonna Judd on her 2003 album What the World Needs Now Is Love.[39] Jana Pendragon of AllMusic wrote that "while most of the material on this project is not worthy of her talent, she still makes a good showing all across the board." She considered White's vocals the strongest on "Flies on the Butter (You Can't Go Home Again)" and "On a Night Like This".[40]

2000–2017: Later music career and acting

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White ended her contract with Lyric Street in 2000 when label executives wanted her to record in a more country pop style than her previous albums.[41] The same year, her agent submitted a head shot of her to the producers of the movie Cast Away, who were looking to cast a female country music singer in a role. The producers selected White to play the role of a sculptor with whom Tom Hanks's character interacts.[41] After the film, she placed her musical career on hiatus. She returned in 2004 with the self-released album Green Eyed Soul. Unlike her previous albums, this one focused more on rhythm and blues and soul music;[8] she chose to do so because she felt at the time that she "wasn't fitting into the format" of country music radio.[8] Thom Jurek of AllMusic rated the album four out of five stars, stating, "Make no mistake, this is a very smooth, slick record; but its depth cannot be denied and as a pop record, one of the majors could have scored big with it."[42] Also during this time span, she produced Billy Dean's 2004 album Let Them Be Little and Toby Keith's 2005 album White Trash with Money.[43][44]

White continued acting in Broadway theatre in the 2000s. One of her roles in this timespan was an original cast member of the Broadway musical Ring of Fire, a musical tribute show to Johnny Cash featuring renditions of his songs.[45] In 2007, she debuted a cabaret production called My First Affair. The cabaret show was at the Oak Room cabaret at the Algonquin Hotel in Manhattan, New York City, on February 12, 2007.[46] The show's set list included both Broadway standards and songs that White wrote herself. Also in 2007, twelve tracks from this production were released on an album of the same name.[47] The album was released on April 6, 2007 on Skinny White Girl Records.[48]

White and Cannon co-wrote Sarah Buxton's late-2008 single "Space",[49] as well as Danny Gokey's 2010 single "I Will Not Say Goodbye".[50] In 2014, a group of twenty-four authors and songwriters assembled a collection of stories in a book entitled The Shoe Burnin': Stories of Southern Soul. Included alongside the hardback publication is an audio CD including eighteen original works by the songwriters featured in the book. White is a featured storyteller in The Shoe Burnin' as well as the producer of the audio component of the project.[51] In 2017, she released a pair of extended plays titled New Loves and Old Friends. The former consisted of new songs, while the latter included re-recordings of her hit singles. Collaborators on the latter included Buxton, Cannon, Dan Dugmore, and Charlie Worsham. Matt Bjorke of Roughstock wrote that White "gives us reason to believe in classic storytelling and songwriting and makes a case that we should get to hear more of this brilliant kind of music somewhere".[52]

Musical styles

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White's music is defined by her singing voice and stylistic variety. Dave Scheiber of the Tampa Bay Times wrote of White that she had a "strong, crystalline voice that smoothly blends country, rock, pop, and blues stylings".[9] Alanna Nash of Entertainment Weekly compared her voice favorably to that of K. T. Oslin,[15] while an uncredited review of Wishes in RPM called her "a belter with a soft edge that doesn't allow for tedium".[53] Both this and Pete Couture's review of the same album in the Tampa Bay Times compared her favorably to Linda Ronstadt.[19][53] Bjorke compared her voice to Bonnie Raitt and Diana Krall; he also thought that the New Loves and Old Friends projects showed influences of jazz and soul music.[52]

Writing about her debut album, David Bauder of The Associated Press stated that it "cuts a wide swath from country to gospel to rock and roll...clearly on display is the versatility that's marked her career. Some critics, though, have complained about a lack of focus."[54] Couture wrote of White's delivery on "Now I Know" that she "builds from an understated, almost confessional reading, to one of powerful defiance on the chorus."[19] He also said of her voice that it "is impressive not only in its range, but in its clarity and control."[19] In a 2015 interview, White said that she found difficulty breaking through in the country music scene due to an unusually large number of female acts being played on radio at the time. She also said that much of the material on Don't Fence Me In was inspired by her perception that "the country radio box was a little too small".[8]

Personal life and legacy

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White married songwriter and song publisher Chuck Cannon on April 23, 1994.[3] Prior to their marriage, Cannon had co-written her single "What a Woman Wants"; he would also write "That's My Baby" and "That's How You Know (When You're in Love)".[11] The couple had three children together: daughters M'Kenzy and Kyra Ciel, and one son named Jaxon.[43][55] White and Cannon founded the Skinny White Girl label on which White released her later albums; the two also built their own recording studio and founded a second label called Nashville Underground.[25]

In September 2017, just months after the release of her New Loves and Old Friends EPs, White was diagnosed with cancer. Exploratory surgery in October 2017 revealed advanced peritoneal cancer. She died in Nashville, Tennessee, on January 23, 2018, at the age of 52.[56]

Journalist Joseph Fenity announced plans in mid-2025 to create a documentary on White, as well as archival of her music, in a project called the Lari White Legacy Project. The documentary will include previously-unseen footage of the singer as well as archived interviews with her.[57] White was inducted into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame in June 2025.[58]

Discography

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Main article: Lari White discography

Studio albums

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Lari White

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Lari White (May 13, 1965 – January 23, 2018) was an American , , and actress, best known for her mid-1990s hits on and her Grammy-winning contributions to . Born in , White began performing at age five with her family's band, playing and singing, and later studied music at the University of Miami's before moving to Nashville in 1987. She gained early recognition by winning the talent competition You Can Be a Star on The Nashville Network in 1988, leading to her RCA debut single "What a Woman Wants" in 1993, though her breakthrough came with the 1994 album Wishes, which included the Top 10 hits "Now I Know" (peaking at No. 5 on the chart) and "That's My Baby" (No. 10). White's RCA albums included Lead Me Not (1993), Wishes (1994), Don't Fence Me In (1996), and Stepping Stone (1998), before leaving the label; she earned an nomination for Top New Female Vocalist in 1994 and co-wrote songs for other artists, including Travis Tritt's "Helping Me Get Over You" (No. 18 in 1997) and Toby Keith's album track "" (1996). In addition to her country career, White excelled in gospel and production, winning three Grammy Awards in the Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album category: for her rendition of "Amazing Grace" on the soundtrack to The Apostle (1997), and for Amazing Grace: A Country Salute to Gospel (1995) and its volume two (1997). She also ventured into acting, appearing in the film The Apostle (1997) alongside Robert Duvall and earning acclaim for her Broadway debut as the narrator in Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash (2006). Later in her career, White founded her own label, Riverphone Records, and released independent albums like Green Eyed Soul (2004), while continuing to produce and write; in 2025, she was posthumously inducted into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame for her enduring contributions to Nashville songwriting. White died at age 52 in Nashville after a battle with advanced peritoneal cancer, leaving a legacy as a versatile artist who bridged , , and theater.

Early life and education

Childhood and family background

Lari Michele White was born on May 13, 1965, in Dunedin, Florida, to parents Larry and Yvonne White, both of whom were schoolteachers deeply involved in their local church community. Raised in a religious household, White was exposed to music from a young age through her family's gospel group, The White Family Singers, which included her parents, younger sister Natasha, and younger brother Torne. The group performed at churches and civic events across Florida, where White began singing as a toddler and continued from age five onward, playing piano and singing, fostering her early passion for gospel music amid family gatherings and worship activities. This nurturing environment also introduced her to and pop influences alongside , shaping her musical foundation before her high school years. White graduated from in 1983, marking the end of her formative upbringing in the coastal town.

Musical beginnings and education

During her time at in , where she graduated in 1983, Lari White actively participated in the school's mixed and girls' choruses as an alto vocalist. As a freshman, she gained early recognition by performing at a school-wide , captivating her audience and peers with her vocal talent. These experiences, building on gospel influences from her family, helped nurture her passion for . White then pursued formal musical training at the University of Miami's on a , earning a degree in 1987 with studies in vocals and engineering. During her late teens, she began self-teaching songwriting, creating her first original compositions while still in high school and continuing into her college years. Upon graduating, White relocated to Nashville in 1988 to pursue music professionally full-time. There, she supported herself through early jobs as a demo singer and backup vocalist for other artists, honing her skills in the competitive scene.

Music career

Debut and breakthrough (1988–1995)

White's entry into the professional music scene began in 1988 when she won the televised talent competition You Can Be a Star on The Nashville Network (TNN), earning a with as part of the prize. The win led to the release of a single, "Flying Above the Rain," but it failed to chart, resulting in her being dropped from the label shortly thereafter. Undeterred, White continued performing and songwriting in Nashville, and by 1992, she signed a new with , where she also began touring as a backup singer for producer . Her RCA debut came with the single "What a Woman Wants," released in late 1992 and peaking at No. 44 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in early 1993. This was followed by her debut album, Lead Me Not, issued on April 27, 1993, which she co-produced with Crowell and Eagles guitarist Steuart Smith. The album featured 10 tracks, including the title song "Lead Me Not" (which reached No. 47 on the country charts) and "Lay Around and Love on You" (peaking at No. 68), blending traditional country with R&B influences reflective of White's versatile style. While the record received positive reviews for its strong songwriting and White's powerful vocals, its singles achieved only moderate success, with the album itself not entering the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. White's breakthrough arrived with her second album, Wishes, released on June 14, 1994, also on RCA Nashville. The project yielded three Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart: "That's My Baby" (No. 10), "Now I Know" (No. 5), and "That's How You Know (When You're in Love)" (No. 10), showcasing her growth as a hitmaker with emotionally resonant, uptempo tracks. Wishes was certified gold by the RIAA in 1995 for sales of 500,000 copies, marking a significant commercial milestone and establishing White as a rising star in country music. During this period, she toured extensively, opening for major country artists and building a live following through high-energy performances that highlighted her multi-instrumental skills on piano and fiddle.

Peak years and collaborations (1996–1999)

White's third studio album, Don't Fence Me In, was released on February 13, 1996, by . Described as a centered on themes of liberation and self-discovery, it blended original compositions with covers of classic songs, showcasing White's versatility beyond traditional country sounds. The title track, a reimagining of Cole Porter's 1934 standard, featured prominent backing vocals from and , highlighting White's growing network of collaborations in Nashville. Other notable tracks included originals like "" and "Ready, Willing and Able," co-written by White, which reflected her influences from rock, pop, and R&B. The album produced two singles that charted on the Billboard Hot Country Songs survey: "Ready, Willing and Able" peaked at No. 20, while "Wild at Heart" reached No. 52, establishing modest commercial success amid critical praise for White's bold artistic choices. However, Don't Fence Me In underperformed commercially compared to her prior release, debuting at No. 53 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and failing to achieve gold certification, which ultimately led to White's departure from RCA later that year. During this peak period, White contributed to high-profile projects, including vocal features that expanded her presence in the industry. In 1998, White signed with Disney's Lyric Street Records imprint and released her fourth album, Stepping Stone, on July 28, marking a label shift and a return to more personal songwriting. The title track, co-written by White with Chuck Cannon and produced by Tony Brown, became the and peaked at No. 16 on the chart, her strongest showing since 1995. Follow-up single "Take Me," penned by and Stephony Smith, also charted, reaching No. 32 and underscoring White's resilience amid career transitions. The album's eclectic mix of , , and elements positioned it as a bridge to her later independent work. White's prominence during 1996–1999 was further evidenced by her (ACM) nomination for Top New Female Vocalist in 1994, building momentum into this era, along with frequent live performances at events like Fan Fair and appearances on awards shows such as the 1995 (CMA) Awards, where she presented alongside . These activities solidified her status as a dynamic force in country music, even as she navigated label changes.

Later recordings and production work (2000–2017)

Following her departure from major labels in the late , Lari White transitioned to production and releases through her own imprint, Skinny White Girl Records, allowing her greater creative control over her sound. In 2004, she released Green Eyed Soul, her first album on the label, which blended with prominent R&B and neo-soul elements, showcasing her and songwriting in tracks like "Nothing But Love." The album, produced entirely by White, marked a deliberate shift toward soulful influences inspired by her musical roots, earning praise for its genre-blending approach. White expanded her role in the industry as a during this period, earning recognition for her work with other artists. In 2006, White made history as the first woman to produce a No. 1 country album for a male artist, helming Toby Keith's platinum-certified , where she shaped its bold, satirical tone through meticulous arrangement and vocal production. Her production credits extended to her own projects, building on earlier Grammy involvement, such as her contributions to the 1997 soundtrack for , which won Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical. In her later years, White focused on selective releases and nurturing new talent amid growing health challenges. Through Skinny White Girl Records, she operated as an indie label owner, mentoring emerging songwriters and artists via programs like the Songwriters Project, where she guided young talents in vocal techniques and composition over multiple cycles. In 2017, she issued the double EP Old Friends, New Loves, featuring reimagined versions of her earlier hits on Old Friends and fresh material on New Loves, including the single "Nothing As Far As I Can See," which reflected her ongoing evolution toward introspective, soul-infused country. Despite a cancer diagnosis in September 2017 that curtailed her touring, White continued songwriting until her passing, prioritizing creative output in her final months.

Acting and entertainment career

Film and television roles

White's foray into acting predated her major music success, beginning with a minor role as the housekeeper in the 1988 horror thriller The Unholy, directed by Camilo Vila and starring . This early screen appearance marked her entry into film, though her burgeoning career soon took precedence. By the mid-1990s, as her albums gained traction, White expanded her television presence with a supporting role as Greta in the 1994 CBS pilot XXX's & OOO's, a dramedy centered on ex-wives of stars navigating life post-divorce. The project, which did not advance to series, showcased her ability to blend humor and in a Nashville-set narrative. In the late , White actively transitioned toward , obtaining representation and auditioning for on-screen parts while maintaining her recording commitments. Her persistence culminated in a breakthrough role in the 2000 adventure drama , directed by , where she portrayed Bettina Peterson, the sender of a crucial package that aids ' stranded character. Appearing alongside Hanks in the film's affecting closing sequence, White's performance provided emotional depth to the story's themes of loss and reconnection, earning praise for its subtle impact despite the limited screen time. White followed this with a supporting role as the actress portraying Suzanne Kennerly, a and former sweetheart, in the 2004 Lifetime television movie No Regrets, co-starring , , and others. In the drama, which explores marital and personal redemption, White's character contributes to the film's meta-structure reflecting on past choices. The film, Lifetime's first original feature-length production, received mixed critical reception for its scripting but was noted for strong ensemble performances, including White's grounded portrayal; it drew modest viewership typical of cable dramas at the time. She made additional cameo appearances in country-themed projects, including a brief role as a hair stylist in the 2010 musical drama , directed by and featuring , , and . White also contributed to various television specials, such as The Women of Country (1992–1993), where her on-screen presence often intertwined with musical segments, and appeared in documentaries highlighting Nashville's music scene. These roles underscored her versatility in bridging entertainment mediums, occasionally overlapping with soundtrack contributions from her music catalog.

Stage performances

White began her stage career in Nashville's regional theater scene in the late 1980s and early 1990s, building her acting and vocal skills through diverse roles in plays and musicals. She starred as Jackie in the 1989 Tennessee Repertory Theatre production of A Rock Wedding, a musical that showcased her as a rock star character, earning her the 1990 First Night Award for Outstanding Leading Actress in a Musical. Earlier, she appeared in the play and the musical , roles that highlighted her dramatic range and integration of country influences into theatrical performance. White made her Broadway debut in 2006 as June Carter in the original production of Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, where she originated the role alongside a cast of six principal performers portraying multiple characters in a revue-style tribute to Cash's life and catalog, for which she received a Theatre World Award. The show, directed by Richard Maltby Jr., opened on March 12, 2006, and ran for 57 performances until April 30, blending narrative vignettes with over 30 Cash songs, allowing White to demonstrate her vocal prowess in ensemble numbers like "While I've Got It on My Mind." Critics praised White's contributions to for her energetic delivery and ability to evoke Cash's emotional depth through song, with reviews noting the cast's enthusiasm and her belt-like vocals that added gusto to the production's folksy, -infused segments. Her work in tribute performances, including this Broadway run and subsequent appearances, underscored her versatility in live settings, shifting seamlessly between country, , and theatrical styles while showcasing a wide that blended soulful highs with narrative warmth.

Personal life

Marriage and family

Lari White married Nashville songwriter Chuck Cannon on April 23, 1994. The couple frequently collaborated professionally, co-writing tracks such as "That's My Baby" from White's 1994 album Wishes. White and Cannon had three children together: daughter M'Kenzy Rayne, born on November 17, 1997; son Jaxon, born on July 20, 1999; and daughter Kyra Ciel, born in 2003. The family made their home in a wooded area just outside , where White had relocated in 1988 to launch her music career. White often spoke of the challenges and joys of balancing her demanding schedule as a performer, , and actress with raising young children, crediting Cannon's support and their shared home environment for making it manageable. Music permeated their family life, with White and Cannon recording and writing in their home studio, dubbed "The Holler," and fostering their children's creative pursuits; for instance, Kyra Cannon has emerged as a in her own right, accepting her mother's posthumous induction into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame in June 2025.

Philanthropy and activism

Throughout her career, Lari White was a vocal for greater opportunities for women in , particularly in production and behind-the-scenes roles. In a 2015 interview, she highlighted persistent in country radio, recalling how program directors in the 1990s limited to only one female artist at a time, stating, "We've already got a female act that we're playing." To counter such discrimination, White joined and in recording a cover of "Don't Fence Me In" as a symbolic pushback against barriers faced by women in the genre. White extended her advocacy through participation in industry panels focused on empowering female creators. In August 2016, she served as a panelist for "Change The Conversation," a coalition dedicated to leveling the playing field for women in country music, where she discussed challenges and opportunities for female producers and engineers alongside figures like Victoria Shaw and Adrienne Gonzalez. Her own trailblazing work as a producer, including becoming the first woman to helm a hit album for a male country superstar (Toby Keith's White Trash with Money in 2006), underscored her commitment to breaking gender norms in Nashville's male-dominated production landscape. White also contributed to philanthropy by supporting cancer research initiatives. She regularly participated in the annual "Country in the Rockies" celebrity ski-and-music events, which raised funds for the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center's Frances Williams Preston Laboratories through the Martell Foundation; notable appearances included the 2004, 2005, and 2008 editions, where she performed alongside artists like and to generate hundreds of thousands of dollars for innovative research. In 2009, she performed at "The Writer's Share" , which directed proceeds to cancer research at Vanderbilt's Ingram Cancer Center.

Death and legacy

Illness and passing

In late September 2017, Lari White experienced persistent abdominal discomfort that led to medical tests, including a and in early October, revealing a of advanced primary peritoneal cancer. White publicly announced her on November 13, 2017, via a blog post on her official website, detailing the sudden onset of symptoms over the summer and her initial hospitalization. She described undergoing surgery to remove the tumor, followed by treatment that included multiple cycles of and additional surgeries to manage complications such as and a . Despite the aggressive progression of the disease, White expressed determination to continue her creative work, noting that the treatments would keep her largely bedridden through 2018 but affirming her commitment to fighting the illness. Amid her treatment, White released her final studio album, Old Friends, New Loves, in February 2017, prior to the diagnosis, but she continued to share music and reflections during her illness, including acoustic performances and writings that highlighted her resilience. By January 2018, the cancer had advanced significantly, leading her to enter care on January 19, as announced by her mother, Yvonne White, who shared updates on a CaringBridge page. White passed away on January 23, 2018, at the age of 52, in , surrounded by her husband, songwriter Chuck Cannon, and their three children. Her mother recounted that White died peacefully at 4:44 a.m., emphasizing the loving presence of her family in her final moments, stating, "She went peacefully with her family by her side." A celebration of life was held on February 12, 2018, at the City Winery in , where friends, family, and fans gathered to honor her legacy through music and tributes. Cannon released a statement expressing gratitude for the support, noting, "Lari fought with incredible grace and courage," and highlighting her impact as an artist and mother.

Posthumous honors and tributes

Following her death in , Lari White's family established the Lari White Legacy Project to preserve her contributions to music, including a digital archive of her work and initiatives to introduce her artistry to new generations. The project, led by collaborators including filmmaker Joseph Fenity, emphasizes her role as a , and producer through educational resources and public engagement efforts. In 2024, the Lari White Legacy Project announced production of the documentary film The Lari White Story, which explores her life and career using interviews with family, friends, and industry peers, alongside archival footage and previously unseen material. The film aims to highlight her overlooked impact on country music and beyond, with narration drawn from White's own recordings to honor her voice posthumously. White received a significant posthumous recognition on June 20, 2025, when she was inducted into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame during its fifth anniversary ceremony in Washington, D.C. Her daughter, songwriter Kyra Cannon, accepted the honor on her behalf, praising White's versatile songwriting and soulful influence on the genre. The induction celebrated her three-decade career, including hits like "Now I Know" and production credits that bridged country, gospel, and R&B. Tributes from fellow artists have underscored White's enduring legacy, with re-releases of her albums such as Wishes and Don't Fence Me In contributing to increased streaming activity and renewed appreciation for her catalog in the years following her passing. Additionally, the Lari White Cannon Scholarship Fund, launched in her memory, provides annual awards to high school seniors in , pursuing degrees in the , supporting aspiring talents in line with her own educational background at the .

Artistry

Musical style and influences

Lari White's musical style was marked by a seamless fusion of with R&B, , and elements, resulting in a sound that transcended traditional boundaries. Her husky, edgy vocals delivered with profound emotion conveyed vulnerability and strength, often drawing listeners into intimate narratives of , loss, and resilience. This blend was evident in her ability to infuse structures with rhythmic grooves and harmonic richness inspired by her Southern roots, creating tracks that appealed to diverse audiences while remaining rooted in authentic lyrics. White's influences spanned a broad spectrum, shaped by her upbringing in where gospel music from her preacher grandfather and rock from her guitarist father played key roles. She cited R&B pioneers such as , , and as formative, alongside eclectic exposures to Gregorian chants, , , jazz, and sounds during her youth. These elements informed her emotive delivery and genre-blending approach, allowing her to incorporate soulful inflections into frameworks without diluting the narrative focus central to artists like and . Throughout her career, White's style evolved from the more traditional of her RCA albums, characterized by straightforward ballads and uptempo tracks emphasizing lyrical tales of , to eclectic explorations in later projects. By the time of her 2004 release Green Eyed , self-produced and steeped in classic soul sensibilities updated with modern production, she fully embraced a broader palette that rejected strict confines, as she famously declared, "I ain’t that !" This shift highlighted her versatility and commitment to personal expression over commercial expectations. Critics praised White's live performances for their raw energy and vocal prowess, where her emotive style shone through dynamic sets on Nashville's club circuit and beyond, captivating audiences with her commanding stage presence and interpretive depth.

Songwriting and production approach

Lari White's songwriting process was deeply collaborative, particularly with her husband, the songwriter Chuck Cannon, with whom she frequently co-wrote at their home studio, The Holler, just outside Nashville. This partnership allowed for an organic integration of writing and recording, where initial musical elements like drum loops or guitar riffs would evolve through to shape lyrics and melodies. Their compositions often centered on themes of and relationships, exemplified by tracks like "What a Woman Wants," which celebrated female autonomy and desires in partnerships, and "That's How You Know (When You're in Love)," exploring the nuances of romantic commitment. In her work, prioritized capturing the raw energy of live band performances to infuse recordings with spontaneity and emotional depth, enlisting elite Nashville session musicians to foster an immersive creative atmosphere. She approached production as a form of sculpting, methodically stripping away superfluous layers to uncover a song's essential truth, while minimizing technical interventions to let the music breathe naturally. This philosophy extended to vocals, where she limited takes to a handful and comped them for authenticity, avoiding that could dilute the performers' genuine expressions. Seeking greater artistic autonomy in the , White founded her independent label, Skinny White Girl Records, after departing from major labels that pushed for a more commercial -pop direction misaligned with her vision. This move enabled her to exercise full creative control, as seen in the 2004 release of Green Eyed , an album that freely blended , , and R&B without external compromises, allowing her to defy genre constraints and connect directly with audiences. White extended her expertise through , guiding emerging artists in and composition via initiatives like the Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project and hands-on sessions at The Holler with talents such as the Fairground Saints and Julia Cole. Her teaching emphasized practical techniques for building narrative-driven songs while encouraging creative independence in a supportive, label-free setting, reflecting her commitment to nurturing the next generation of songwriters.

Discography

Studio albums

Lari White's debut studio album, Lead Me Not, was released on April 27, 1993, by . The 10-track project showcased her early sound with highlights including the lead single "What a Woman Wants," the title track "Lead Me Not," and "Itty Bitty Little Single Solitary Piece o' My Heart." The album peaked at number 36 on the Top Heatseekers chart but did not enter the main albums tally. Her sophomore effort, Wishes, arrived on June 14, 1994, via RCA Nashville and was produced by Garth Fundis. Featuring 10 songs, it highlighted tracks such as "That's My Baby," "Now I Know," and "That's How You Know (When You're in Love)," all of which reached the top 10 on the chart. The album climbed to number 2 on the chart and number 24 on the , eventually earning RIAA gold certification for over 500,000 units sold. White's third album, Don't Fence Me In, came out on February 16, 1996, under RCA, with production shared by Josh Leo and White herself. This 14-track release marked a bolder artistic direction, blending with and pop influences; standout moments included the title track, a cover of the standard featuring guest vocals from and , as well as originals like "Wild at Heart" and "Ready, Willing and Able." Critics praised its vocal grit and musical evolution, though it received mixed commercial reception and charted modestly on the survey. Following her departure from RCA, White signed with Lyric Street Records for her fourth studio album, Stepping Stone, released on July 28, 1998. The 11-song collection represented a transitional phase in her career, emphasizing empowerment themes with key tracks like the title song, which peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, and "The Ray of Hope." It debuted as Lyric Street's inaugural release but struggled commercially, reaching only number 73 on the Billboard 200. White's fifth studio album, Green Eyed Soul, was an independent release on May 10, 2004, through her own Skinny White Girl Records. Self-produced and recorded in her home studio, the 14-track album shifted stylistically toward , R&B, and roots, with White writing or co-writing every song; highlights included "Nothing But Love," "Right Here Right Now," and "One and the Same." This personal project reflected her formative influences from Florida's heartland and marked a departure from mainstream . In 2007, White released My First Affair on April 6 via Skinny White Girl Records. Self-produced, the 12-track album served as the soundtrack to her cabaret show at the Oak Room in , featuring standards and originals in a jazz-inflected style; it did not achieve significant commercial success or chart placement.

Singles and compilations

Lari White's breakthrough came with the singles from her 1994 album Wishes, which produced three consecutive top-ten hits on the chart. The lead single, "That's My Baby," released in April 1994 and co-written by White and Chuck Cannon, peaked at number 10, marking her first major success. Followed by "Now I Know" in September 1994, also co-written with Cannon, the track climbed to number 5 by December, showcasing White's emotive vocal style and blending country with influences. The third single, "That's How You Know (When You're in Love)," released in early 1995 and again co-written with Cannon, reached number 10, solidifying her presence on during the mid-1990s. White's debut single "What a Woman Wants," released in February 1993 from her album Lead Me Not, peaked at number 21 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Her subsequent singles had more varied chart performance. From her 1996 album Don't Fence Me In, tracks like "Lay Around and Love on You" entered the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart but did not reach the top 40. Her 1998 single "Stepping Stone," the title track from her Lyric Street Records debut, peaked at number 16 on the Hot Country Songs chart, representing a brief return to moderate success amid her label transition. Later in her career, White released independent singles, including "Nothing As Far As I Can See" in 2017 from her EP Old Friends, New Loves, though it did not achieve significant chart placement. Overall, White's singles emphasized her songwriting prowess, with her 1990s RCA releases accounting for the bulk of her chart impact, totaling over a dozen entries on the Hot Country Songs survey. In addition to her solo singles, White contributed to several notable compilations and tribute projects, often highlighting her gospel roots and versatility. Her rendition of "Amazing Grace" appeared on the 1995 compilation Amazing Grace: A Country Tribute to Gospel, Vol. 1, which earned her a Grammy Award for Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album in 1996. She followed with contributions to Amazing Grace Vol. 2 in 1997, securing another Grammy in the same category, and provided vocals for the soundtrack to the film The Apostle that year, winning a third Grammy for Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album. RCA also released The Best of Lari White in 1997, a compilation featuring hits like "Now I Know" and "That's My Baby" alongside deeper cuts such as "Itty Bitty Little Single Solitary Piece o' My Heart," serving as a retrospective of her early career. These compilation appearances underscored White's influence beyond mainstream country, particularly in gospel and soundtrack contexts, without any of her singles receiving individual Grammy nominations.
SingleRelease YearPeak Position (Billboard Hot Country Songs)Album/EP
"That's My Baby"1994#10Wishes
"Now I Know"1994#5Wishes
"That's How You Know (When You're in Love)"1995#10Wishes
"Stepping Stone"1998#16Stepping Stone
"Nothing As Far As I Can See"2017-Old Friends, New Loves

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