Quick Q and A with Don White
 by Kathy S-B  ·  10 October 2009

Like any Don White show, the answers to the questions below are immediate, sincere, and humorous. Don White has been touring the folk circuit for some time now but is best known here on his home turf, the North Shore of Massachusetts. Lately though, he’s been doing co-bills with Christine Lavin and getting rave reactions from audiences who love to laugh.

Here’s a video clip I shot at the Boston Folk Festival. Don talks about his 82 year old dad, Fried Clam Larry. Also, here’s a heartfelt song that Don wrote about his daughter, “Brown Eyes Shine.”

When did you first realize that you were funny?

I think it was a Tuesday.

Your working class background is such a common denominator for so many in your audiences. Have you ever made a rich conservative Republican laugh or cry?

Early in my career my ability to make people cry had less to do with their politics or portfolio and more to do with how bad I was. These days there is a lot of laughter and an occasional teardrop at the shows but I still can’t tell the difference between rich conservative Republican laughs and impoverished Tree Hugger laughs.

How would you describe your hometown of Lynn, Massachusetts?

How much time ya gut?

Are you aware that there is such a thing a Don White Hungarian Salami?

No.

I kid you not but I can’t think of a better meat product with your name attached to it.

Do I have to go to Europe to get one? Hook me up.

Do you feel as though your songwriting doesn’t get as much attention as your witty monologues?

I have a hard time separating the two in my mind. I approach them each with exactly the same commitment and attention to detail. They each have a rhythm, a meter, a mood, a sense of dynamics and an idea that wants to be communicated. When I am singing a song I feel like I am telling a story. When I tell a story I feel like I am singing. Whether one gets more attention than the other is an excellent question that I regretfully am unqualified to answer.

How did you get into becoming a performance coach?

Because I came from a stand up comedy background people very early on in my folk career began asking me to help them to project confidence on stage and to be stronger with what they said and did between songs. I found that I really enjoyed teaching people all the things I had learned about performing, storytelling, comedy and stage presence. And I have done it now for 15 years.

Do you have any interesting success stories of those who you have coached?

Yes. However, I am reluctant to talk about my students in a public forum like this.

Are you excited to be working with Roy Zimmerman?

Yes, very excited! This is going to be a very special night with a ton of laughs. These are very difficult times for a lot of folks and I am thrilled to be part of a show where people can just set their problems aside for a couple of hours and have a ball.