RISON — Excitement is building in Cleveland County as the annual Rison in the Fall Festival approaches on Saturday, October 10.
In a special episode of the Free Range Conversations podcast, Festival Director Douglas Boultinghouse and Rison Shine President Keden Shrum caught up with this year's festival headliner, '90s country music icon Bryan White, to talk about his Arkansas roots, his chart-topping career, new music, and what festival-goers can expect when he hits the Rise Up Rison Stage on Main Street.
Deep Roots and Lasting Memories
For White, performing in Arkansas isn't just another tour stop—it's a homecoming of sorts.
"I've got a ton of relatives from Arkansas, so definitely some roots there," White shared during the interview. "In fact, I remember some of my first memories ever were taking trips to Arkansas. The first time I ever drove a car, I was on a dirt road in Arkansas. So I got a lot of good memories... I'm grateful that you guys would think of me to have me there."
That sense of connection extended as White and Shrum realized on the call they shared roots in the same small towns in Oklahoma, where White's parents grew up.
"I love when I run into people or meet people from back home," White noted. "He just named the two towns that my mom and dad are from... you might even call that my place of origin."
Hit Records, Classics, and New Music
White made his mark on country music history in the mid-1990s with hits like "Someone Else's Star," "Rebecca Lynn," "Sitting on Go," and his iconic duet with Shania Twain, "From This Moment On."
Reflecting on his first #1 single, "Someone Else's Star," White vividly recalled the exact moment he heard the news:
"I actually remember hitting my head on the ceiling of my bunk in the tour bus because somebody came back and told me that we went number one," White laughed. "I rose up and hit my head on the top of the ceiling... I just couldn't believe it.”
“That song was a guitar-vocal demo, and we released it that way, and it ended up being my first number one record. It really started everything for me."
Regarding his blockbuster duet with Shania Twain, White recalled the session with fond clarity, noting he still holds footage from the studio.
"It was a great process... so fun working with Mutt [Lange] and Shania on it, and just an iconic melody," he said. "I'm just grateful that they thought of me to include me."
Festival-goers in Rison can look forward to a mix of those timeless '90s classics alongside brand-new material.
White recently released a updated version of Peter Cetera's "Glory of Love"—a song he originally tracked as a Valentine's Day demo for his wife, which coincidentally timed out with the original track's 40th anniversary.
When asked if he ever gets tired of performing his classic hits, White gave an unequivocal answer:
"I don't ever get tired of singing those songs, especially because you see the reaction out there," White said. "That's the greatest thing in the world, seeing the reaction when somebody realizes you're getting ready to play their favorite song."
Life on the Road and the Evolving Industry
White also touched on how much the music industry has shifted since his rise in the 1990s—from the grind of early radio promos to the digital-first landscape of today—and how he enjoys mentoring his son, who is currently launching his own career in music.
"Back in those days, we really worked hard for it, and I think the reward was that much sweeter because we really did the legwork," White reflected. "I got in a minivan... flew and jumped in rental cars and went from radio station to radio station... When you finally have a hit, it's more rewarding because you did the work."
Despite the busy nature of touring, White assured local fans that he plans to stay after his set to meet the community.
"You can bet on it, I'll definitely be doing that," White said regarding post-show autographs. "It's an important thing to me. I always love telling people how much their support means to me. It's just a good time to connect and say thank you."
Festival Details & Music Lineup
The Rison in the Fall Festival brings a high-energy concert atmosphere right into the heart of small-town Arkansas, closing down Main Street and filling the intersection with local food trucks, craft vendors, and live entertainment.
Leading up to Bryan White, the festival stage will feature performances throughout the afternoon and evening from Whoa Dakota, Cori Kennedy, Wyatt Putman and Ward Davis.
The day will also feature the return of the Fall into Fitness events in the morning, including a 5K run, a bicycle ride, and a 1-mile walk.
Drop the Mic Scavenger Hunt & T-Shirt Days
In a special bonus segment at the end of the episode, Boultinghouse was joined by his “Masterminds” Austin Compton and Stacy Walz to highlight the return of the popular Drop the Mic Scavenger Hunt.
Leading up to festival day, they will hide a toy microphone in a public, 24/7 accessible space in the community (requiring no property damage or climbing!). Clues will be posted on the Rison in the Fall Facebook and Instagram pages. The lucky hunter who finds the microphone and returns it to The Herald office will win an official festival t-shirt.
They are also encouraging community members to wear past or current Rison in the Fall t-shirts every Tuesday and Thursday leading up to Oct. 10.
Post a photo wearing a shirt on those days on Facebook or Instagram and tag Rison in the Fall to be entered into a special prize drawing announced on festival day.
For ongoing updates, clue drops, and event schedules, follow Rison in the Fall on Facebook and Instagram.