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Meet VanSwan White

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Today we’d like to introduce you to VanSwan White.

So, before we jump into specific questions about your music, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born and raised in San Bernardino, CA. Raised by my mother and stepfather, the only time I really felt at home and comfortable was when I was singing. Music has always been my escape. My grandfather was a pastor and I have been singing and directing choirs since I was three years old. One year when I was really young, I stayed up late and snuck into the living room to watch the MTV Music Awards. That was the year when TLC performed the Crazy, Sexy, Cool medley. I was mesmerized by their performance. It was right then and there that I decided I wanted to do what they were doing. I wanted to be a singer.

Everyone has significant events that help shape their lives. Mine happened just after high school. Instead of going off to college or just hanging out like some of my friends, I got marred about five months after graduation with a baby on the way. It was then that I was the farthest away from music and didn’t feel that it would be anywhere in my future. The marriage did not work out and it sent me into a deep and dark space. Music became a way of escape.

To deal with all of the pain I was feeling during that time, I produced my first album called My Story. I knew nothing about music, but I was passionate. I just wanted to make an album about the things I was dealing with, which was the separation and then the divorce. I didn’t have any money. To fund the project, I did a concert and got sponsors. It was while I was completing this project, I realized that music is powerful. It was literally what saved me during that time. That was over ten years ago.

Since then, I have traveled the globe, singing in such shows as Man in the Mirror-a tribute to Michael Jackson and Rocket Man-A Tribute to Elton John. I’ve done the cruise ship circuit and had gigs in Europe as well. I currently sing backup for a Motown legend, Ms. Thelma Houston. During this time, I have also independently completed four more projects: 1 secular album (“30”) and three gospel albums: “Love Is, In My Own Words, and my newest project that has ATL roots, “Nothing or Nobody.”

Although I live in California, for my latest project, I partnered with my sister Pam Frazier-Anderson and her husband, Felton Finney, who have a Christian website and company called Nothing or Nobody LLC, which is based in the Alpharetta/Johns Creek, GA area. In 2018 they had a vision to start this Christian-based brand with the idea to motivate and inspire others. It is a start-up clothing brand, motivational posts, and creative collaborations like this album. Nothing or Nobody represents strength and courage. It is the idea that Nothing or Nobody can stop you from reaching your maximum potential. I adopted that motto and that theme for this album. The album, Nothing or Nobody, lets people know that they are great, no matter what they are going through or no matter where they have been. It lets them know that if you let God lead and guide you, and if you make Him the center of your life, you are going to be okay. With this album, I really wanted to inspire people. I wanted to let them see the other side… how great life can be… even with its trials.

While working with my sister and brother-in-law on this project, another collaboration occurred: “Nothing or Nobody TV and Conversation with Van,” which is my own YouTube channel. Conversation with Van was created as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a time when I felt like I needed to do more. I wanted to encourage people and remind them of how great they are. I wanted to remind them that we all have a purpose and something to live for, even if we may feel like giving up. A lot of times, we go through things, whether good or bad, and they are all important because they all help to shape who we are. These stories in these interviews on Conversation with Van are stories of encouragement. They are stories of overcoming obstacles. They are stories from people just like you and me. It’s not easy being transparent, but I hope their stories help others. I just completed my twentieth episode and first season. I am about to start Season 2. I never thought I would be doing a talk show. Music was my be-all and end-all. But when God places other gifts and talents in you and instructs you to do other things, then that takes priority.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
No, it has not been a smooth road. The single Stand Still on my first album (My Story) is my favorite song. I was 19 and married with a baby. I was working two jobs: one at a burger joint and the other at a casino. I was assigned to clean the restrooms. One night as I was cleaning the restrooms, I started crying. I couldn’t believe this was my life (please, I am not trying to insult people who are part of maintenance staff—I am talking about ME). As I sat there cleaning up some of the vilest things, I said, “God, is this really my life? You promised me so much more.” It was at that moment I heard a voice say, “Stand still. I’m God. I’ve ordained your life. Have faith in me. I’ve worked it out.” All I had was a napkin and a pen and I started writing it down. It was and is a reminder that God is still there in the midst of what I was going through—what you are going through, God is still with you.

I went into a dark place when I thought I should have been a success and I wasn’t. I have been through depression, anxiety, the death of my aunt, an uncle with cancer, a cousin shot eight times, I have struggled financially, been through a marriage and divorced before the age of 21, fighting in court for custody of my daughter only to discover that my daughter was not mine. All of those things took me to places that I had to fight my way back from. I made it and I want others to know they can too.

The album Nothing or Nobody is a compilation of old and new music. I partnered with Nothing or Nobody and together have created what I consider to be some inspiring music. I wanted people to see me on the other side of fear, insecurity, depression. I have overcome a divorce, suicide, finding out my daughter wasn’t mine, the insecurities about my biological father, the insecurities about myself – I wanted people to see they can make it.

Can you give our readers some background on your music?
What sets my music apart from others is that I love the 90’s! A lot of my songs have a 90’s feel. Of course, I have my gospel influences, but TLC and Janet Jackson are my favorite artists. Not Michael Jackson-JANET!

Also, my songs are real. They address the real-life challenges that Christians face. Why pretend? Most people are struggling with something and to gloss over these issues does a disservice to everyone. We can’t talk about problems if we pretend they don’t exist. So, my songs are real. I don’t like to put my music in a box, some are mainstream gospel, but some lean toward R&B, but I will let the listeners decide.

What I am excited about is the collaboration with Nothing or Nobody to get this album out there. We just want to reach people. As their message says, “Let’s Nothing or Nobody” stand in the way of you being your best, doing your best, and living your best life. Life isn’t easy, but you can do it.”

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I had two personalities! In general, and around people, I was and still am kind of quiet, but not when I am on stage. Whenever I sing or am writing, that is when I really comfortable. That is where I belong. Singing and songwriting just come naturally. One of my albums I completed in three weeks.

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