artist info

Born Denise White in Chester, Pennsylvania, Avery*Sunshine is a singer, pianist, songwriter, and producer whose roots are firmly grounded in the church. A proud alumna of Spelman College, where she studied classical piano performance alongside choral conducting, orchestration, voice, and philosophy, she went on to serve as choral director for the Atlanta revival of Dreamgirls alongside Tony Award-winning Jennifer Holliday before establishing herself as one of soul music's most compelling independent voices.

Most recognized for her #1 Billboard chart hit "Call My Name" from her critically acclaimed sophomore album The Sunroom, Avery and her husband and creative partner Dana "BigDane" Johnson were honored with ASCAP's Rhythm and Soul Song of the Year Award. Her catalog of charting singles includes "Come Do Nothing," "Sweet Afternoon," "Ugly Part of Me," "Lucky," and a celebrated collaboration with Boney James on "Honestly." Her achievements include nominations for the Soul Train Award and the BET Centric Award, both in 2016.

The pinnacle of her career came on February 2, 2025, when she won the GRAMMY Award for Best Progressive R&B; Album at the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards for So Glad to Know You. The win was historic - the first-ever tie in the category's history, shared with NxWorries' Why Lawd?. The album was produced by Jamison Ross and released on her own imprint, BigShine Recordings. Avery was a first-time GRAMMY nominee and winner.

Career highlights include a UK tour opening for the late B.B. King, a performance on The Jools Holland Show, and an NPR Tiny Desk Concert. She was personally invited to perform for the late Aretha Franklin on two occasions. Her song "I Got Sunshine" was featured in Hulu's UnPrisoned, starring Kerry Washington and Delroy Lindo, and she appeared as herself in the MGM+ series Godfather of Harlem in 2025. A Yamaha Entertainment-endorsed artist, she has served on the Artists' Advisory Board for the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) and currently serves as a Trustee of the Recording Academy Atlanta Chapter (2025 to 2029).

Beyond performance, Avery co-founded BigShine Recordings with Dana Johnson, launched the cosmetics line Lou*Mack Beauty, and created The HEY SUNSHINE SHOW podcast. She has performed across 6 continents and more than 35 countries, with her music reaching listeners in over 180 countries. Avery*Sunshine is proof that independence and artistry are not just compatible - they are, in her hands, unstoppable.