Patrick White

Patrick White, a versatile musician, producer, and label owner, recounts his lifelong musical journey rooted in his church upbringing and Birmingham’s vibrant music scene.

His earliest exposure came from his godfather, who gave him his first acoustic guitar and a handmade tambourine around age eight or nine. His musical palate was expanded by his mother’s choir singing and his father’s extensive reggae collection, alongside mainstream pop. A key early influence was Abraham Laboriel’s bassline on George Benson’s “What’s On Your Mind?”.

Around 1980, Patrick’s church gained musicians. Inspired by a bass player at a convention, he picked up a bass and could “mimic what I heard.” The arrival of Tony Bean (guitar) and Trevor Murdoch (drums) transformed their services into full-band performances, despite initial discouragement from some church members. Mentors like Elliot Brown introduced him to jazz-funk artists like Marcus Miller. At age 11, he impressed secular musicians by playing Chic bass lines, leading to further mentorship. Early gospel influences included The Winans and Andre Crouch.

Patrick highlights the significance of informal “jam sessions” among church musicians from different denominations (New T, Prophecy) in Birmingham, which fostered collective learning and unity, challenging perceived “rivalry.” He also formed his own funk band, “Atmosphere.”

At 15, Patrick joined the influential Highgate Gospel Choir as their bassist. The choir’s “American sound” gained national recognition through BBC appearances and backing vocals for Labi Siffre’s “Something Inside So Strong.” He worked with talented figures like Gladstone Wilson (keyboardist) and Junior Martin (drummer), and learned extensively from dissecting albums by artists like Chaka Khan and Russ Taff, studying top session musicians. He noted the contrast between Highgate’s American-influenced sound and the Handsworth-based Majestics choir’s sound, which was influenced by contemporary Christian artists like Amy Grant.

Patrick’s production journey began around 1989-90, influenced by New Jack Swing and producers like Jam and Lewis. After producing his niece, Jana Johnson, he founded Powerhouse Records in 1995, aiming to release original gospel material and address the “lack of industry” in UK gospel. He faced significant challenges, including a studio break-in that stole masters of his live praise and worship album. He collaborated with top musicians like Trevor Prince and Julian Chambers. He also produced the choir Kyra, which led to the formation of Sinai.

He worked with the group New Life, attempting to bridge gospel and mainstream distribution, but encountered resistance from traditional gospel labels and artists unwilling to commit to rigorous industry demands. Patrick laments the current state of UK gospel, stressing the need for higher quality, professionalism, and for artists to invest in themselves. He also advocates for the church to invest in its musicians. He shared an early experience of racism where a music teacher accused him of theft, unable to believe a Black child could own a Fender Stratocaster.