Interview with Buck White, February 19, 2010

Interview Summary

Buck White, a notable country musician, begins the interview by discussing some of his early musical influences. He remembers learning to play the piano and the mandolin as a child. He also lists some of the basic fundamentals of music. White describes how he developed his own unique music style. He highlights his early career performing at clubs in the Dallas-Forth Worth Area with fiddler Arnold Johnson. White explains why he dropped out of college to pursue a career in country music. He recalls traveling to play in gigs throughout Texas. He illustrates gaining experience as a professional musician by appearing on television and radio shows. White discusses his role as a sideman and what it was like to play with Grand Ole Opry musicians visiting Texas. He articulates the influence of the Grand Ole Opry radio show on country music as a whole. White discusses his move to Arkansas and working as a plumber to support his family. White's music career during this time is also explored. He describes his friendship with Bill Monroe and how they first met. He details his experiences of playing at Mardi Gras in New Orleans. White briefly talks of home improvement projects he undertook while living in Arkansas. He also lists some of the challenges of moving his family to Nashville and building a career in country music with his daughters. He discusses his global music tour with his daughters. White concludes the interview with some final thoughts about his music career.

Interview Keyword

Bluegrass music Country music Banjos Banjo players Arnold Johnson (Artist) Fiddles Fiddle players Family Wife Buck White & The Down Home Folks (Artist) Bill Monroe (Artist) Hester Hoot (Artist) Global tour Family bands

Interview LC Subject

Influences Bluegrass festivals Wichita Falls (Tex.) Fort Worth (Tex.) Texas Texans Live television shows Radio shows Grand ole opry (Radio program) Daughters Musical families Fort Smith (Ark.) Nashville (Tenn.) Friendship Mardi Gras New Orleans (La.) International travel Albums Success Record labels National Council for the Traditional Arts Bluegrass music. Bluegrass musicians Musical performance Music--Performance.

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Interview Usage

Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.