2025 Wshof Performers, presenters & hosts

Lari White was an award-winning artist and producer known for her soulful voice and versatile talents. A native of Florida, she developed a passion for music early on, studying vocal performance and music production at the University of Miami. After winning a TV talent competition in 1988, she moved to Nashville, where her song was recorded by Tammy Wynette, and she eventually signed with RCA Records. Her 1993 debut album Lead Me Not and the 1994 Wishes earned national attention, with Wishes achieving gold certification and producing several top-ten hits.

By the end of the 1990s, Lari grew disillusioned with Nashville’s country music format, leading her to create genre-defying music at her independent studio, The Holler. Her 2004 album Green Eyed Soul received critical acclaim. Lari also worked as a producer for artists like Billy Dean and Toby Keith and collaborated with BeBe Winans in 2017. She pursued acting, appearing on Broadway and in Cast Away.

Beyond her career, Lari was dedicated to family, philanthropy, and mentoring aspiring artists through the Johnny Mercer Foundation. She passed away in 2018 from peritoneal cancer, leaving a lasting legacy as a pioneering artist, producer, and humanitarian.

Janiva Magness, on her 17th album Back for Me, brings a deeply personal and authentic touch to every song. Produced by her longtime collaborator Dave Darling, the album showcases a mix of lesser-known gems by artists like Bill Withers, Ray LaMontagne, and Allen Toussaint. Magness, known for her ability to connect with the heart of a song, has always gravitated toward B-sides, appreciating their fresh energy.

The album features a powerhouse band, including special guests Joe Bonamassa, Sue Foley, and Jesse Dayton, and blends diverse styles, from the bluesy "Masterpiece" to the gospel-soul-funk of Withers' "The Same Love That Made Me Laugh." Magness credits the band's chemistry and live tracking for the album’s solid sound, which captures the emotional depth she sought in her song selections. Back for Me reflects her ongoing evolution as an artist, following her Grammy nomination and Blues Music Awards wins, and is influenced by her raw, transformative life experiences.