By Scott Iwasaki
Deseret News

Brooke White, who placed fifth in the seventh season of “American Idol,” recently released her debut album, “High Hopes & Heartbreak,” and will perform at a Salt Lake concert this weekend.

“It’s finally out,” said White during a telephone interview from her Los Angeles home. “And we’re getting ready to go on tour.”

The last time White spoke with the Deseret News, she was on the “American Idols Live” tour in 2008.

During that interview, White said she was looking forward to making an album.

Now that it’s been released, White reflected on the planning and recording process with fondness.

“I didn’t overthink it,” she said about the songs she wrote for the album. “I really started to get ideas when I was off the tour.

“I had time to unlock what I wanted after that. I have a hard time just sitting down and writing. So, I thought I would do some collaborating.”

She hooked up with producer Dave Cobb who, initially, was only going to be a writing partner.

“Dave and I clicked musically,” White said. “And after we wrote a few songs, he called and told me that he’d really like to produce. He said he had a good idea of where I wanted to go musically and he could help.”

The two wrote the lead single, “Hold Up My Heart,” and recorded it in five hours.

“That’s the way it was with the whole record,” she reported, saying the process was “natural” and “ongoing.”

“I don’t like to use the word ‘easy,’ but that’s kind of what it was,” she said. “We played all the songs as a band together, and it was in real time. Everything happened simultaneously when it came to the recording.”

With Cobb on as a formal producer, it was “American Idol” judge Randy Jackson who gave White some tips in his role as executive producer.

“We took songs to Randy,” she said, “and he would give us suggestions outside the studio. He was on the outside looking in.”

White was in Salt Lake City in August to do radio spots and an in-store performance at a Barnes & Nobles store.

“That promo tour was crazy,” she said. “I was on a plane every day and was so tired when it was over.”

White is grateful to her husband, David Ray, for being her main support.

“My whole family is really supportive, but he is always there, even when I’m sure he gets tired of it, or when I get tired of it,” she said.

After looking at the tour schedule, White said she found herself abuzz with excitement about coming to Salt Lake City.

“It was like when I was there for the ‘Idols’ tour,” she said. “Utah audiences are so enthusiastic. I’m excited to come and do a real show, and I want to see everyone there.”

What: Brooke White, Michael Johns, Benton Paul

Where: Murray Theater, 4916 S. State

When: Sept. 26, 7:30 p.m.

How much: $20

Phone: 801-467-8499,800-888-8499

Web: www.smithstix.com