Jordan White Music frequently asked questions, 2.0
About: We receive e-mails asking questions like these from time to time, but if you still have a question or suggestion, please e-mail: Abby@jordanwhitemusic.com or MarceyJN@gmail.com - thanks. - Abby & Marcey
There is also a new MySpace "Fan Page" at www.MySpace.com/JordanWhiteFans
*Last updated 3/10/10
(yes, we love the Fender Telecaster)
- What's his full name?
Jordan Frank White.
- Where was Jordan born?
Cranford, New Jersey. His parents moved around a bit in the area then finally setttled in eastern Pennsylvania in the late 1980's.
- Did he/where did he go to college?
He graduated with an Associates degree in liberal arts from Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, PA, a Bachelors degree in psychology from East Stroudsburg University in East Stroudsburg, PA and is working on his Masters degree in psychology at Shippensburg University which is near Harrisburg, PA.
- Do you know what the first song he ever wrote was?
No I do not.
- When did he decide to be a songwriter?
He began playing the keyboard when he was around 6 years old, sang in a boy's choir when he was 11 and began playing the guitar at 13. He says "it was only natural that I would write my own music eventually."
- Who writes the songs/who else has he worked with?
Jordan has written most of the music and lyrics, although he has also collaborated with many other talented people from across the east coast, i.e. producer/songwriter Robert Factor, Brian "The Brain" Kibler, Tim Vassa (1993), and Rob Lilly from KineticBlu. Other contributors included Larry Werner (of Werner Studios) who recorded and produced KineticBlu's 2007 demo (September, Walking Clean) - singer/songwriter Kaya Black (The Flow, Where To Begin) - and guitarist Jeremy Troxell (Where To Begin). Jordan has also worked with singer/songwriter Tim Marchetto from American Idol in season 6.
- How did he get started in the music business?
Through hard work and sacrifice. In 2004 he started playing open mics at bars and coffee houses in the Lehigh Valley and moved on to playing real shows in 2005. Contracts, agents, tours, and W-2 forms soon followed!
- What zodiac sign is he?
Taurus.
- What other bands has Jordan been in?
Jordan has played with many bands, duos, and as a solo artist over the last several years. Some of them include Insignia, 3 Sided Letters, Black & White Letters, Jaded Son, as duos with Robert Factor and Brian Kibler, The Fuzzy Bunny Slippers, Impostar, and of course, KineticBlu. (www.myspace.com/KineticBlu)
- Who's Kaya Black?
Kaya Black is a singer/songwriter who was a member of Black and White Letters with Jordan. He contributed background vocals and guitar parts in some of the earliest demos. His website is www.KayaBlack.com. Black now resides in Washington D.C.
- Who are Jordan's musical influences?
In many articles in the media he credits songwriters such as Jackson Browne, Adam Duritz, Van Morrison and Stephan Jenkins.
- Why are some of the songs so sad?
"I didn't do it on purpose, it's just the old songwriter's cliche - if you're happy you're probably not going to be sitting around thinking about things and writing. If you're happy your going to be out being happy."
- Who's the girl singing on the "Where To Begin" demo and why doesn't she sing in the newer version?
Her name is Katie Williams, a professional singer from Long Island. She was friends with the band Black & White Letters and recorded background vocals for the song in 2004. The song was recorded again by KineticBlu as part of a demo in late 2007 although it did not include Ms.William's vocals.
- What's "Twin Gap Farms" mentioned in the song "The Flow"?
Twin Gap Farms is the name of a housing development in rural north-eastern Pennsylvania where he spent alot of time with an ex-girlfriend, many years ago.
- Is the "Baby's Breath" song against abortion?
From the meanings section of the website: "The song is not pro or anti anything; I don't think I have the right to make that decision. It's about someone who finds themselves struggling just by having to choose in the first place."
- Where can I listen to the song "In Too Deep"?
Go listen to a demo of the song on the official MySpace page at www.MySpace.com/JordanWhite
- What radio stations play his music?
Jordan has done many shows on eastern Pennsylvania's 90.3 WXLV FM. He often plays live shows with host Phil Stahl, and oddly enough has been played in rotation all the way out in Hawaii on 92.3 FM. He has been played on the Lehigh Valley's rock station, 95.1 WZZO FM on Sunday nights and there are also several college stations scattered around the country that play his music from time to time.
- Who's Phil Stahl?
Phil Stahl is a DJ on 90.3 WXLV FM and has hosted many open mic shows over Pennsylvania and New Jersey for over 20 years. He is one of the major figures in the Lehigh Valley/Philadelphia music scene. www.PhilStahl.com. He's a great guy!
- Has he been on any TV shows?
Jordan has appeared for a live interview on Pocono Music Talk (video available on the website) and on the Comcast TV network in Philadelphia, PA performing "Where To Begin." There are other past and future TV appearances as well.
- What magazines/newspapers/websites has Jordan appeared in?
First off, click HERE to view the official press section to read scans of the articles. He has appeared in: Northampton Community College Magazine - Pulse - the Lehigh Valley's music scene weekly, The Morning Call daily newspaper several times - was a featured artist on www.LVMusicScene.org and www.WZZO.com - had several appearances in East Stroudsburg, PA's The Stroud Courier. More recent appearances in The Pennsylvania Musician - was the subject of a special two-page feature in Connections Magazine, The Express-Times "Exposed" - also the band of the week in The Metromix (for KineticBlu) and many others.
- What types of guitars/pianos/equipment does Jordan use?
Gibson, Martin, and Taylor acoustic guitars, Fender Stratocaster & Telecaster electric guitars. For pianos/keyboards, a Yamaha T121 studio upright acoustic piano and a Yamaha digital P-60 grand stage keyboard. For live performances the sound is usually controlled by Behringer amps and Peavey TLS speakers. He uses Shure wired & wireless microphones, SM58 vocal, SM58 vocal classic, and Shure PG57 instrument mics.
- Some of his favorite albums?
In no particular order:
Guns N' Roses - Use Your Illusion II (1991)
Jackson Browne - The Pretender (1974)
Third Eye Blind - Blue (1999)
Counting Crows - This Desert Life (1999)
The Smashing Pumpkins - Mellon Colline & The Infinite Sadness (1995)
- What cover songs does he play live?
Amongst many others:
Elton John "Rocket Man" - Elton John "Your Song" - Coldplay "Trouble" - Weezer "Say It Ain't So" - Live "I Alone" - Filter "Take A Picture"
Tom Petty "Yer So Bad" - The Beatles "Let It Be" - Neil Young "Heart of Gold" - Blue Oktober "Hate Me" - Matchbox Twenty "Push"
Guns 'N Roses "Patience" - Bob Dylan "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" - Third Eye Blind "Jumper" - Gin Blossoms "Til I Hear It From You"
Soul Asylum "Runaway Train" - Blessid Union of Souls "When She Comes" - Phil Collins "Against All Odds" - Oasis "Wonderwall" - U2 "One" - Counting Crows "Mrs. Potter's Lullaby" - Counting Crows "A Long December" - Guns 'N Roses "November Rain" - The Police "Every Breath You Take" - Ritchie Valens "La Bamba" - Maroon 5 "Sunday Morning" - Tom Petty "Mary Jane's Last Dance" - The Killers "All These Things I've Done" - John Mayer "Daughters" etc..
- Books has read or currently been reading?
With the 2007 death of Kurt Vonnegut, he said he re-read one of his best works, "Slaughter House Five." Recommends: "Jarhead" - "Sophie's World" by Jostein Gardner and has said in another interview that his favorite book is "A Seperate Peace" by John Knowles. Others include classics such as "The Great Gatsby" - "Flowers For Algernon" - "The Catcher In The Rye" by J.D. Salinger and "Atlas Shrugged" and "Anthem" by Ayn Rand.
- Favorite albums by other artists?
Some favorites are "Use Your Illusion II" by Guns 'N Roses, "The Pretender" by Jackson Browne, "This Desert Life" by Counting Crows, and "Mellon Collie & The Infinite Sadness" by The Smashing Pumpkins.
- What is "Care Package" and how can I get a copy?
"Care Package" was a compilation CD released from artists across the country to help aid victims of the devastating December 2004 Tsunami in Asia. Jordan's song "Baby's Breath" landed on the CD which was released by Bamboo Bird Records in March 2005. You can learn more about Care Package and/or purchase a copy at www.CarePackageCD.com (note: the Care Package link may be down at this time)
- How did he get involved with "Care Package"?
"Basically there were a lot of, it was alot of artists interested in being included on the CD.... and uh, basically I sent them a song and they said 'we really dig this song' and can we put this on the CD, you know, and thats what happened." - "Pocono Music Talk" TV taping in 2006
- Is there going to be another "Care Package" CD?
Doesn't look like it, but if anything comes up it will be posted here.
- Was Jordan on American Idol?
Sort of. Jordan made it to the second round in Chicago, IL in 2005.
- I sent in an e-mail for a free CD, but I never received one. Why not?
Probably for one of two reasons: 1) Due to international shipping costs, the free CD promotion does not extend to outside of the United States, and 2) Sometimes we receive 300-400 requests per week and we're behind. Click here for more information on the FREE CD OFFER.
- There's been lyrics for a song called "She Loves the Drama" on the website for awhile but no music for it?
Doubtful. Jordan said "that song is about someone I care not to associate with anymore."
- What is "Amethyst" and can I find the song anywhere?
According to Webster.com, amethyst is "a clear purple or bluish-violet variety of crystallized quartz that is often used as a jeweler's stone, or a variety of deep or moderate purple." The song "Amethyst" was written sometime in 1999 and is asked about but I don't know when or if it will surface.
- What's that song that plays before he comes out on stage?
"New Orleans Instrumental" by the band R.E.M. plays sometimes before the shows begin.
- When will there be new music available?
Always go to the MySpace page first as it's updated all the time, at www.MySpace.com/JordanWhite - visit www.JordanWhiteMusic.com/mp3.htm for some of the earlier demos and to listen to live radio shows. As for brand new songs, pretty soon.
- Are there any music videos?
As of now there are three.
KineticBlu filmed a video for their song "September" most recently and there is a live/documentary style video for their song "Walking Clean."
Links:
-"September" - http://ipandsociety.blogspot.com/2008/05/september-by-kinetic-blu.html
-"Walking Clean" - http://youtube.com/watch?v=shz1NPFo1e8
A video for the acoustic song "Engine of the Ocean" filmed in November 2005 at the beach in Point Pleasant, New Jersey can be seen here by visiting the MySpace page (look towards the bottom left for the video to load).
- Are there any DVDs of shows or performances?
Yes. There is a DVD entitled "Lehigh Valley Acoustic Performers Contest 2005" with 3 other acts (Jordan placed 2nd). There are a couple others: "Live at the Madison Ridge" where he played "Where To Begin", a live taping of his show at the Northeast Performing Arts Festival in October 2005, and a taping from a live set at "The Grand Theatre" in East Greenville, PA in May 2006. The latest music video for "September" is also available in high-definition DVD format. (http://ipandsociety.blogspot.com/2008/05/september-by-kinetic-blu.html)
- Does Jordan have any tattoos?
Nope.
- Does this website have anything to do with the JordanWhite.com?
We have nothing to do with it and don't know or have any affiliation with any of the person(s) who run it and have no opinion on it's content. The person explains on their website that "Jordan White" is not their birth name anyway.
- So there are lyrics to a song called "I'm Not There" by a Jordan White at this link. Are they his? (the lyrics often being referred to can be read by clicking HERE)
No bloody way, in my opinion those lyrics are complete garbage. I don't know who the author is but it's not one of ours.
- If you google "Jordan White" other websites come up about people with the same name and some are even involved with music. What's the deal?
Honestly I have no clue and it's kind of bizarre. "Jordan White" is definitley not a common name yet there are other folks with it that are apparently also musicians and such. I'm going to say it's just a coincidence, but just for the record our website www.jordanwhitemusic.com has been online since 2003.
- What's his MySpace link?
The link is easy to remember. It's just his name - www.MySpace.com/JordanWhite - there is also a new "FanSpace" page on MySpace at www.MySpace.com/JordanWhiteFans
KineticBlu's MySpace page is www.MySpace.com/KineticBlu
**NEW** "iLike" music page: www.iLike.com/artist/Jordan+F.+White
- What's the FaceBook link?
- Who officially represents him and his music?
Recently he began working with D. Buhay for management and bookings. He is also represented by Media Five Entertainment out of Bethlehem, PA. Media Five has worked with successful rock bands from the area like Live, Fuel, Breaking Benjamin, and The Badlees.
- Best way to contact him?
Visit www.myspace.com/jordanwhite and/or send an email to Comments@JordanWhiteMusic.com
*This page is being updated on a continual basis. 3/10/10