You may know Drake White from his 2016 album Spark, which hit No. 4 on the Country Music chart, or from his tours with the Zac Brown Band, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Tyler Bryant, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. You might even remember when he suffered a major stroke on stage while performing in 2019. There are many different routes one could take after a moment like that. White and his wife, Alex, chose one that continues to spread a message of hope and healing, now captured in a new short film, Ladder to the Sky: A Hunt's the Healing Story, which was released Oct. 12.
Accompanied by Riley Green, Zac Brown, Kid Rock, a few great sponsors, and many close friends and family, this message of hope and healing takes center stage in Ladder to the Sky.
The film follows White from boyhood, through his early love of music, to his diagnosis with an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), and the debilitating onstage stroke that changed his life. It highlights his ongoing recovery and the power of God, music, hunting, and fatherhood to help him restore his body and spirit.
Ladder to the Sky: H&B's Sneak Peek
Over Labor Day weekend, Hook & Barrel got an early sneak peek at the film when an intimate group joined White at Riley Green’s Duck Blind in Nashville, Tennessee, for a buffet of great food, amazing drinks and plenty of catching up.
Laughter, conversation and music overflowed into the street below. People from across the outdoor industry mingled with musicians, friends and family to support White and the story he has to tell about his journey through music, injury, recovery and miracles.
Realtree, Banded, Honey Brake, The Outdoor Channel, Bergara, Bushnell, Federal, Buckbusters, 1st Products, and Tecomate all came on board to help tell White’s story.
These partners — along with the support of Green, Tyler Jordan and Drew Keeth — gave him the push he needed to go from being paralyzed on one side of his body to getting back into the duck blind and up into a tree stand.
In one particularly moving moment of the film, White struggles through a hunting task many take for granted: putting on waders. He speaks about how his faith became a true support in his time of need.
His mission of glorifying God and helping others heal is at the forefront of the film. Alex, his wife, reflects on how “comparison is the thief of joy,” and shares that letting go of pride and allowing others to walk alongside you is how true healing and growth happen. White learns to let go of shame and embarrassment to let close friends help.
White introduced the film that evening with a raw, emotional speech.
“We are storytellers … and we have a story to tell,” he said.
He sincerely thanked everyone who supported the nearly three-year process, including Drew Keeth from Honey Brake, whom he now calls a great friend, and Tyler Jordan, for being there throughout. He also thanked Green for the tour they were embarking on together and for all the support along the way.
White brought some laughter when he admitted that inviting a group of hunters to a premiere on opening day of dove season “may have been a bit of a stretch.” The crowd gave space for his emotions that night.
“There are things people are facing that we do not see,” White said between pauses.
Ladder to the Sky is a moving, beautifully shot film that music lovers and outdoorsmen and -women alike will relate to. It’s well worth your time and will inspire you to push through challenges, show grit, and get outside.
Everyone has their “why” when it comes to how music and hunting have made a difference in their lives. This film just reinforces those reasons.
The film is a Rev White Pictures production, in association with Hatchee Productions. It was directed by Holt Ingalls and produced by Drake White, Holt Ingalls and Zack Knudsen.
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