André White to drop a Steel Orchestra Version of Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road”

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Response from Andre Whité on social media

My-o, My, o-My. Hmm, hmm, hmm...

Earlier this week one of the When Steel Talks (WST) forum regulars (Bugs) made what may have seemed to most an odd request, to one of the world’s most brilliant steel orchestra music composer/arrangers, André White.

Arranger, performing artist and composer Andre Whité
Andre Whité with Pan Evolution Steel Orchestra

“Bugs” made a request of Mr. White to write an arrangement of the Lil Nas X’s runaway hit “Old Town Road” for the upcoming “Pan Is Sweet” steel orchestra competition to be held in Brooklyn, New York this month, June (29th).”

Mr. White not only responded to the poster, but responded in the affirmative - with the additive that while it could not be done for the “Pan Is Sweet” competition, he might still do it as an additional arrangement for the stage side (of Pan Evolution).

Wow... This is big from WST’s vantage point. One can only imagine what Mr. White will create when his creative juices start to flow... A steel orchestra version of Old Country Road. What a thing. It is this writer’s opinion that André White is one of the great minds and composers of the steelband music genre.

From twang twang country music lovers to hip-hop city dwellers - the song has already captured the hearts and minds of millions in a cross-genre manner that is hard to explain.

In case you didn’t already know, “Old Town Road” has been dominating both the American and UK charts for weeks. Thrown into controversy when Billboard removed the song from its country music charts, claiming that it lacked sufficient country elements - the world’s popularization of the music work has grown to an epic realization of what is America. The backlash was massive and swift. So much so that country star Billy Ray Cyrus lent his support and joined Lil Nas X in a remake of the song. All of this taking place in the most contentious and divisive America since the Civil War.

Lil Nas X (right) with Billy Ray Cyrus
Lil Nas X (right) with Billy Ray Cyrus

It’s been a long time since we’ve seen people from all walks of life and ages listening and pondering the meaning of a song as they have with “Old Town Road.”  The discussions and re-interpretations on social media platforms like YouTube and so many more about this song’s existence and meaning are riveting and intense.

Indeed, look for Andre White’s work to be a game-changer.



  Lil Nas X - Old Town Road (Official Movie) ft. Billy Ray Cyrus
104,141,082 views  (as of June 3, 2019)
 

 

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