Spontaneity and unpredictability have long been part of celebrated rocker Jack White’s DNA.

And because Michigan-bred bassist, music director and childhood buddy Dominic John Davis has long been part of the Detroit guitarist’s musical adventure, that mercurial tendency rules his nightly ritual, too.

"It's special because it's really different every night," Davis said in an interview just before White returned to his home state for sold-out shows in Detroit and Grand Rapids.

"So, he's playing songs we've never played or he's making up songs, or he's playing them so differently, you can't even tell what they are when they start. Really, it's just because he's learned that's a better show for him and that's how he has to do it.

"You've got to be really on your toes. I'm watching him just constantly. But that's kind of how I play. ... Music doesn't scare me. I kind of love it."

So even when White on the spur of the moment decided to dive into Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World" during the band's Toronto tour stop — a song the band hadn't discussed playing and a tune Davis and White hadn't played since high school — it came off without a hitch.

"It was great," Davis said. "The crowd went nuts, but they had no clue what a tightrope it is. But we did it and (Detroit organist) Bobby (Emmett) and I were singing backgrounds and everything."

For Detroit native Davis, who now makes his home in Nashville, the whirlwind global touring behind White's latest album, "No Name," began shortly after that collection was quickly recorded and released in July.

Davis — a producer who also performs with his wife, Rachael Davis, and the Michigan band Steppin' In It — said White was so excited about "No Name" that it led to booking "super last-minute" shows and touring that forced a hold on other projects. The tour has taken them across the world, including Japan, where Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder sat in with the band and Davis' family joined him for a working vacation of sorts.

Being back in Michigan, of course, always ignites special feelings for White and his bandmates — something exhibited in Detroit shows at Masonic Temple Theatre and at GLC Live at 20 Monroe in Grand Rapids.

"Just playing in Michigan — being around all this family and a lot of old friends and bandmates — (there's) stuff that just sort of comes out on stage," Davis said. "You kind of know who you're playing for."  

This leg of touring wraps up in late May, giving Davis "a little bit of time off this summer" and possibly allowing him to get back to some producing and session work. Davis produced the Michigan Rattlers' award-winning new album, "Waving From a Sea," has worked in the past with another Michigan favorite, Greensky Bluegrass (among others), and appears on The Rebel Eves' new record as well as superstar Pharrell Williams' surprise new release, "Virginia: Black Yacht Rock Vol. 1 City of Limitless Access."

It's all part of a robust career that's put Davis in the thick of landmark artists, recordings and performances. 

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"It's a long game," he conceded. "I try to let (young artists) know there's no magic bullet. Be a little realistic, I think, and know that it's a long game and it's such a weird business.  

"I've always tried to be very professional and keep things at sort of a national level no matter where I was. I think The Crane Wives (from Grand Rapids) are a really good example. Because their records were so good when there we on that level (early on), they kind of blew up now."

— Find more Michigan music news and concert listings at LocalSpins.com. Email John Sinkevics at john@localspins.com.