Yodeling teen delights residents at Rosemary C. Brooks Place

Published 11:15 am Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

When Phoebe White had her first recital at age seven, she knew singing was an avenue to explore.

“She said, ‘I love it. I want to do more. Can you find me a place to sing?’” said her mother, Tiffany White.

On Thursday, April 13, that opportunity arose in Winchester.

Email newsletter signup

White, a 13-year-old from London, performed in front of a crowd at the Rosemary C. Brooks Place assisted living facility on Rosemary Drive.

“They just called and invited Phoebe to come to sing for the residents there,” Tiffany White said. “I think they probably have events on their calendar like that from time to time. It was fun!”

While musicians have performed at Brooks Place previously, listening to White offered a unique opportunity. Described on her website, https://www.singphoebesing.com/, as “an accomplished yodeler” with an extensive range, White has already won several contests despite only being performing for the last six years.

Among the honors she’s taken home have been the 2022 International Western Music Yodeling Contest Janet McBride Best-of-the-Best Award winner and 2021 JMA Jr. Vocalist of the Year Award.

White has also won 24 talent contests, been a finalist in eight others, been featured in Cross Country USA Magazine, and was named one of the top 12 Kentucky Music Acts to Watch in 2020.

A musician with a wide range of interests and capabilities, White has experience with the guitar, mandolin, piano, ukulele, and more.

“Primarily, she [sings] Western music. It’s been an exciting year”, “Tiffany White said. “She loves to yodel. She likes the old cowboy music … but she’s done other things as well. She’s recorded gospel, and has a voice teacher that encourages her to try new things. If she has her choice, she usually heads back to the old western stuff.”

Recently, for her album “UnXpected,” White collaborated with Riders in the Sky.

The Western music and comedy group, two-time Grammy Award winners, have performed songs for major motion pictures such as “Monsters, Inc.” and “Toy Story.”

One that they wrote for the latter film, “Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl”, was changed for her album and titled “Phoebe the Yodeling Cowgirl.”

A hit song, “Boo Hoo Blues” has also been heavily praised.

Amidst the many songs sung to residents at Brooks Place, White – a fan of the likes of Gene Autry and Roy Rogers – delivered “Happy Trails.”

As it turned out, she wasn’t the only person present who found enjoyment.

“When she got to the end and said ‘Everyone sing along’, the audience just lit up”, White said. “She loves seeing their reaction. The residents were so sweet…they’re the ones who are going to remember Roy Rogers and that era.”

For Tiffany White, the experience of seeing her daughter perform is worthwhile in more ways than one.

“I enjoy seeing her thrive and seeing people react positively to her. [To] see her grow and learn from these experiences, it’s been a lot of fun”, she said.