Singer, Songwriter. He is remembered as an American singer with the 1969 hits, which he wrote, "Polk Salad Annie" and "Rainy Night in Georgia," which was made even more popular in December of 1970 by singer, Brook Benton. White had a successful 50-year career with at least forty recordings released. Besides Benton, other artists recorded his songs such as Elvis Presley, Tina Turner, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Joe Cocker, Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Ray Charles, Hank Williams, Jr., John Anderson and others. It is difficult to place him in one genre of music as he was Country, Rock, and Blues all in one. His voice was deep with a Southern drawl and he was a master of the guitar playing simple chords. The youngest of seven children, he had a humble beginning as the son of a Louisiana cotton farmer. After playing for high school dances, he played in night clubs in Texas and Louisiana before signing with Monument Records. His "Polk Salad Annie" reached #8 on the United States Top Ten Record Hits in August of 1969. Through the years, he toured around the world with all the top groups as he cultivated a host of fans. In 1973 he composed seven songs and sang four in the rock-opera, "Catch My Soul," which was based on Shakespeare's "Othello." The Disco 1980s were a decline for his type of music but the 1990s were more successful. Besides a tour to Germany with Eric Clapton and Joe Cocker, Tina Turner released his song, "On Silent Wings" in 1996, which reached #24 on the charts. October 15, 2014 he made a television appearance on the "The Late Show with David Letterman." His last album, "Bad Mouth'" was released in September of 2018. He suddenly died of a heart attack at home.
Singer, Songwriter. He is remembered as an American singer with the 1969 hits, which he wrote, "Polk Salad Annie" and "Rainy Night in Georgia," which was made even more popular in December of 1970 by singer, Brook Benton. White had a successful 50-year career with at least forty recordings released. Besides Benton, other artists recorded his songs such as Elvis Presley, Tina Turner, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Joe Cocker, Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Ray Charles, Hank Williams, Jr., John Anderson and others. It is difficult to place him in one genre of music as he was Country, Rock, and Blues all in one. His voice was deep with a Southern drawl and he was a master of the guitar playing simple chords. The youngest of seven children, he had a humble beginning as the son of a Louisiana cotton farmer. After playing for high school dances, he played in night clubs in Texas and Louisiana before signing with Monument Records. His "Polk Salad Annie" reached #8 on the United States Top Ten Record Hits in August of 1969. Through the years, he toured around the world with all the top groups as he cultivated a host of fans. In 1973 he composed seven songs and sang four in the rock-opera, "Catch My Soul," which was based on Shakespeare's "Othello." The Disco 1980s were a decline for his type of music but the 1990s were more successful. Besides a tour to Germany with Eric Clapton and Joe Cocker, Tina Turner released his song, "On Silent Wings" in 1996, which reached #24 on the charts. October 15, 2014 he made a television appearance on the "The Late Show with David Letterman." His last album, "Bad Mouth'" was released in September of 2018. He suddenly died of a heart attack at home.
Bio by: Linda Davis
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