Mandolin Man: The Bluegrass Life of Roland White

Mandolin Man: The Bluegrass Life of Roland White by Bob Black. University of Illinois Press

54-year AFM Local 257 member Roland White’s life and career is meticulously documented in this new biography written by Bob Black, banjo player and fellow veteran of Bill Monroe’s band. Mandolin Man tells not only the story of the twists and turns of White’s long and winding career path, but also of the evolution of bluegrass music itself. His points of intersection with nearly every acoustic music icon are mind-boggling, and Black connects it all in fascinating detail with many first-person stories from and about dozens of iconic musicians.

Born in northern Maine into a musical family of French descent, Roland began playing mandolin at the age of six. The rest is history, and it is an incredible one. Playing with his younger siblings as The Country Kids, he began his career in southern California, performing on local radio shows shortly after moving there in 1954. The group made its first TV appearance as The Country Boys that same year. Bill Monroe’s early records were a big influence on the young mandolin player, and a visit to Nashville in 1959 cemented his desire for a life in music. In 1961 the Country Boys appeared on the The Andy Griffith Show, a major breakthrough. When he returned from a stint in the military in 1963, the band renamed themselves The Kentucky Colonels, one of many successful bands in which he played a part. He played with Monroe’s Bluegrass Boys, Lester Flatt’s Nashville Grass, Country Gazette, and the Nashville Bluegrass Band, and for many years now, his own group — the Roland White Band.

His younger brother Clarence became one of the most important guitarists in acoustic music, and went on to switch to electric guitar. He invented the B-Bender [Telecaster] with Gene Parsons. Clarence made several albums with The Byrds and other artists that influenced countless country guitarists, including Marty Stuart, who owns and plays that original B-Bender guitar today. Shortly after reuniting with Roland in the New Kentucky Colonels, Clarence was tragically killed by a drunk driver. Roland was also injured in this tragic incident, which is retold in terrifying detail. This book has many memorable stories and insights into the life of one of the most modest virtuosos you could ever meet. Kudos to Bob Black for shining a light on a great musician and even better person, and thanks to Roland White for all the great music. — Roy Montana