White & White, “In Every Room” 2010 White & White are veteran musicians and writers whose long experience in live venues and recording studios forms the basis of their partnership as a song writing team. What began as a casual set of meetings in a recording studio, meant to explore musical and mutual affinities, has turned into a prolific creative effort, culminating in the release of a two-disk set of twenty-one songs, “In Every Room,” the group’s debut album released October 2010. The principals are Michael W. White and Terry Paul White. The two are not related by blood, and had been personally acquainted only a few short years prior to the release of “In Every Room”. Michael had performed and toured most of his adult life, particularly in two popular mid-west groups, Truc of America and The Sky Harbor Band. Terry had been in a string of local Milwaukee area bands, playing to some extent around Wisconsin and neighboring states, stubbornly concentrating on writing and playing original music. Both men had begun playing in rock bands in junior high school, although Michael had been performing much earlier, appearing on a locally produced television show at the age of nine. By the time they met, through mutual friends, Michael had been just about everywhere as a touring musician, and Terry had written and produced three albums, all released on CD. They are “Game of Inches” and “What Planet Are You On?” with the Milwaukee group 2Boss Vega, and a solo album called “Rock, Bones, Swordfish”. All three releases are still available at various internet outlets. As a song writing team, White & White began by following a classical model characterized by the division of labor, with Michael as the composer and Terry as the lyric writer. (Think of the Gershwins, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Brooker and Reid, Elton John and Bernie Taupin, to name a few). Twenty of the twenty-one songs on “In Every Room” were composed by Michael, who plays most of the instruments on the record. The lyrics, vocal leads, and melodies on nineteen of the songs were written by Terry, who sings lead on twelve of them. An assortment of musicians and singers make important contributions and guest appearances on this record. Michelle Krueger contributed her own composition, “A Life Worth Living”, singing the lead on it and three other songs. Ron Ehli sings the lead on four songs in the set. There is also one short instrumental piece by Michael W. White, called “Dancing On Lake LeBlanc”. White & White, “In Every Room” is the first of what promises to be a series of offerings by this songwriting duo, with help from a very accomplished assortment of guest musicians. The songs are intelligent, funny, and wise, and this album offers a surprising range of musical styles, striking performances, and outstanding production values. White & White, “In Every Room” on the Twin Palms label. Don't miss it.