Frequently Asked Questions

Peter responds to frequently asked questions.
This page last updated March 19, 2003

In addition to this page, Peter has separate pages where he answers questions about his influences, and the technical aspects of how he achieves his sound in more detail.

Why do you play nylon string guitar?
I didn't choose the nylon string guitar - it chose me!   Soon after I started playing with Al Stewart, (I was 20) he put a Spanish guitar in my hand and told me to play on a song called "On the Border" which we later recorded on the "Year of the Cat" album (1976).

Up till that moment I had played very little nylon string guitar - mostly steel string acoustic or electric guitar.   We went on tour after the album came out, and for most of the show I would stay behind the keyboards (I was hired as a keyboard player) until that song (On The Border) and then I would set up my little bar-stool at the front of the stage and play my heart out on the nylon string.   (It was an Ovation- they had just come out with a model that could be plugged in like an electric guitar - great timing!)

So it came to pass that this brief moment of glory was the only thing that anyone ever remembered about me in the show.   Thus I became associated with the nylon string guitar, and I found that indeed I had a certain voice on the instrument that was very personal. So I didn't fight it, I eventually went with it, and left behind all my dreams of being a multi-instrumentalist ivory tickling electric guitar wailing long haired leather pants wearing rock star.   Glad I did, really!  I do feel that the nylon string guitar has more of a dynamic and tonal range than a steel string guitar.   It is more akin to a human voice, especially when played in octaves.    Over the years I have continually struggled to refine my technique as I never had a lesson on guitar and only ever learned by watching other players.   (I started out like many others in the 60s, playing 3 chord / 2 finger blues!)

What kind of guitar is that? (Onstage)
Since March 1999 I have used a 'Super Ace' nylon string acoustic/electric guitar designed and built by Paul McGill in Nashville TN.   I now have two of them - a red one (The Red Wonder), and a blue one (The Blue Beauty). Check out Paul's site at www.mcgillguitars.com.

When is your next album coming out?
"My latest CD Confidential was released (in the US) in March 2004"

What is the guitar on the cover of Glow?
It is an Asturias guitar handmade in Japan which I purchased at a guitar shop in Sherman Oaks, CA around 1999 that has since closed down.  I found this website http://www.casabenelly.nl/Site/HTML/ENG/Guitars/Classic/Asturias/body.htm but didn't find a mention of this particular model, which features a cutaway and a built-in pickup (which I never have used).   On the inside it says model PUF or PUE and serial# 23011.  I used this guitar on all of the Glow CD except for "Bueno Funk" which was recorded on an Ibanez Classical model with a pickup which we did use.   (No mic. sound, just pick-up)  So yes I like this guitar but I have no idea how I would find another like it!

What's Basia doing?
"Basia has taken some time off from touring but she has been working with my brother Danny on a new Matt Bianco CD- with a possible fall 2004 release. Matt Bianco was a band that Danny formed in London in the early 80s and that's where he met Basia. www.allmusic.com is a great guide for more info on Matt Bianco, Basia, me or any other musical artist. I refer to it all the time!".

Are you from Montreal (or Canada / France / Australia / New Zealand... )?
I was born in Luton, but grew up in Letchworth, both of which are in England, just north of London.
(See bio for more details).

How do you get your sound?"
See technical information.

Who influenced you?
See influences.

Do you ever get together with Al Stewart?
Although my own music takes up most of my time, I do play the occasional show with Al - It's fun to play those old songs!

Do you have any pets?
I have always liked cats and in my house we have had many over the years, including these two, Kensington and Eddie.   They both came from the "Cat Connection", which is an organisation that finds homes for abandoned cats.  My wife and I regularly take in foster kitties that stay for a while to get used to being around people and other cats.   The Cat Connection is located in Sherman Oaks, CA on Ventura Blvd. just East of Beverly Glen Blvd.

Do you have a fanclub/newsletter?
My fanclub, The Caravan, is alive and kicking, and puts out a terrific newsletter, called "Caravan Moments".  I usually write a column for the newsletter, and also for the PeterWhite411 web-page, under "News Update".

Is there any printed sheet music or songbooks available for your albums?
"Not at the moment, but I hope to have this available in the future, so keep checking back".

Frequently asked at concerts:
When are you coming back to Cleveland / El Paso / Portland ...........?
Refer to the concert hotline (818) 973 3171, Musi-Cal, PollStar and this web site for up-to-date tour information and dates.