On the surface of things, it's hard to see why Bryan White is taken more seriously than some contemporary country-pop singers, since it sounds as slick and polished as some artists that are frequently derided by critics.
Upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the difference is material.
Along with producers Derek George and Dann Huff, he knows how to select good material, even if that means sacrificing the number of original tunes on the record.
Then, they give the solid songs clean crisp production.
True, that production is more suited for adult contemporary stations than contemporary country -- if it wasn't marketed as country, most listeners wouldn't label this as such -- but it's not bad on those terms.
White's voice can be a little thin and uncharismatic, which is a bit of a problem over the long haul, but taken in small doses (such as on singles), How Lucky I Am works.