Justin White: The Heart Behind the Songs

Before the stage lights and the growing fanbase, Justin White was just a kid from Ottawa, Kansas, learning guitar, soaking in every sound he could — from Garth Brooks and Lonestar to Metallica, Joe Satriani, and Lil Wayne. That wide-ranging musical diet shaped the genre-bending sound fans hear today: heartfelt country storytelling backed by world-class musicianship.

Music was always more than a hobby for Justin — it was the thing that made him feel human. He grew up surrounded by it:

“My dad listened to country, my stepdad listened to Metallica and Dream Theater, my mom loved hair metal and classic country. I think that’s why I’m drawn to so many sounds.”

His breakthrough came not from fame, but from a moment of clarity. While jamming at a bluegrass festival, other musicians assumed he was a touring pro — not a communications worker just playing for fun. Their disbelief sparked something in him.

“That was the turning point,” Justin recalls. “I realized I had to go all in — to hit it as hard as possible until I die or run out of money.”

Justin’s songs are deeply personal yet universally felt. Tracks like “Wild Horses” and “The Dogs, Whiskey, and Me” connect because they come from real life — loss, love, family, and the things that keep us going.

As Lonestar told him after their Ottawa show, “Justin has great songs and a great sound. He just needs to keep getting it out there.”That’s exactly what he’s doing.