Ralph White

Ralph White
Ralph White performing in Bastrop, Texas on June 22, 2013.
Ralph White performing in Bastrop, Texas on June 22, 2013.
Background information
Born (1952-07-09) July 9, 1952 (age 72)
OriginAustin, Texas
GenresOld-time, Country, Folk, Blues, Cajun
OccupationMusician
Instrument(s)Fiddle, banjo, accordion, mbira
Years active1970s-present
LabelsAltco Recordings, Self Sabotage Records, Feeding Tube Records, Monofonus Press, Mystra Records
Websitewww.ralphewhite.com

Ralph E. White III (born July 9, 1952)[1] is a musician from Austin, Texas who has drawn inspiration from traditional blues, old-time country, rock, African and Cajun music, among other traditions. He principally plays banjo, fiddle, accordion, guitar, kalimba and mbira. He was a founding member of the innovative and influential[2][3][4] Austin trio the Bad Livers, formed in 1990 with banjoist and singer/songwriter Danny Barnes and bass and tuba player Mark Rubin. During the early 1990s, "White's sizzling dexterity on fiddle and accordion" was a "cornerstone of their buzz."[5]

White left the Bad Livers in late 1996,[6] and embarked on a solo career. White was later chosen by Kevin Curtin of the Austin Chronicle as the best strings player of 2015.[7] While the style of music he plays is difficult to categorize, No Depression concluded that "White has invented a type of music that sounds traditional while also being refreshingly new."[8]

  1. ^ Stevens, Darcie. [1] "Austin Music Database: Ralph White." Austin Chronicle Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  2. ^ Staff. "Phantom Power & Spiritual Benefits: The Return of the Bad Livers."Austin Chronicle February 14, 1997. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
  3. ^ Kale, Wendy. "Club Notes: Juno What?!, Danny Barnes and Edward Sharpe at Boulder Theater" The Colorado Daily November 25, 2009.
  4. ^ KUT Music Archive. "Folktronics with Danny Barnes: January 29, 2010" Archived April 15, 2013, at archive.today Retrieved December 23, 2012.
  5. ^ Ridley, Jim. "Ralph White From Bad Livers w/Joshua Burkett at Betty's Saturday." Nashville Scene July 6, 2012. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
  6. ^ Riemenschneider, Chris. "Bad Livers transplant: Austin band is doing nicely after music-saving procedure." The Austin American-Statesman. February 13, 1997.
  7. ^ Curtin, Kevin. [2]. "The return of Antone's, Free Week, and the Austin Music Poll Ballot." The Austin Chronicle January 8, 2016. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  8. ^ Caligiuri, Jim. "Ralph White: Trash Fish (Review)." No Depression 41 (September–October 2002). Retrieved December 20, 2012.