Grand Ole Opry Member Buck White Of The Whites Passes

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Buck White

Buck White, patriarch of country music group The Whites and Grand Ole Opry member, passed away today (Jan. 13). He was 94.

The news was shared by his family, daughters Sharon, Cheryl, Rosie and Melissa.

“The Lord answered our prayers and took our daddy home peacefully this morning at 8 a.m. We are so thankful for his 94 years on this earth,” they shared in a joint statement. “He was a great Dad who taught us by example to put Jesus first always. His great loves were the Lord, our mother, his family and music. Most people will remember him not only for being a great musician and entertainer, but also for being fun-loving and full of mischief. He lived a full life and finished well.”

Buck’s skills on the piano first opened the door for music, landing him gigs with Hank Snow, Ernest Tubb and others. In 1962, he relocated his family from Texas to Arkansas, where he and his wife, Pat Goza, began performing with another couple as The Down Home Folks. Their daughters, Sharon and Cheryl, were billed as The Down Home Kids.

The group quickly gained recognition in bluegrass circles, and by 1971, the family had moved to Nashville to solidify their careers as professional singers. Still performing as The Down Home Folks, they released several bluegrass albums before Pat retired from the group in 1973. Their first album as The Whites was 1983’s Old Familiar Feeling, according to Discogs.

In 1981, Sharon married country and bluegrass legend Ricky Skaggs, who produced some of their records. The Whites earned CMA Award nominations for The Horizon Award and Instrumental Group of the Year in 1983 as well as ACM Award nominations for Top Vocal Group in 1982 and 1983.

In 1984, the family was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.

Over their career, The Whites captivated audiences with hits like “You Put The Blue In Me,” “Hangin’ Around,” “Give Me Back That Old Familiar Feeling,” “Pins And Needles,” “If It Ain’t Love (Let’s Leave It Alone),” “Hometown Gossip” and more. Their signature blend of bluegrass, country, folk, gospel and Texas swing, paired with their musical mastery and family harmony, became their hallmark.

Their involvement in the movie and soundtrack O Brother, Where Art Thou? brought them significant industry recognition, earning a Grammy Award for Album of the Year along with ACM and CMA Award nominations. They can be heard on the film’s “Keep on the Sunny Side,” a beloved classic originally popularized by the Carter Family.

In 2007, The Whites won another Grammy for their collaboration with Skaggs on his Salt of the Earth album. The following year, they were inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

LB Cantrell
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