Grand Ole Opry Legend Buck White Dies At Age 94
Ricky Skaggs / Facebook
Buck White, Who Was The Oldest Living Member Of The Grand Ole Opry, Dies At Age 94
Today is a day of mourning in the country music community as the legendary Buck White of The Whites has died.
Buck’s son-in-law and fellow performer Ricky Skaggs shared the sad news on social media. Ricky posted a statement from his wife (Buck’s daughter, Sharon White) and her sisters Cheryl, Rosie, and Melissa.
“The Lord answered our prayers and took our daddy, Buck White, home peacefully this morning [January 13] at 8:00 a.m. We are so thankful for his 94 years on this earth,” the statement read. “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.”
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Buck just celebrated his 94th birthday on December 13, 2024. Before his passing, he had been the oldest living member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Following Buck’s death, Stu Phillips is now the oldest living Opry member (at age 91, almost 92).
Buck White’s History And Path To Country Music Stardom
Buck and his two daughters, Sharon and Cheryl, formed the singing group The Whites in 1972. They rose to fame during the 1980s, becoming known for hit songs such as “Hangin’ Around,” “Give Me Back That Old Familiar Feeling,” “Pins And Needles,” and “Hometown Gossip.”
The group’s fame reached a new high when they recorded “Keep on the Sunny Side” for the O Brother, Where Art Thou? movie soundtrack. They also appeared in the Down from the Mountain concert documentary that featured the soundtrack’s performers.
The Whites became members of the Grand Ole Opry in 1984. They celebrated their 40th Opry anniversary just last year (2024). Rosie, another of the White sisters, has often joined her family onstage to perform with them at the Opry.
In addition to being Opry members, The Whites were inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in 2008. They were also nominated for several awards, including five CMA Awards.
The group also won two Grammy Awards. In 2002, they won Album of the Year for contributing to the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack. Their 2007 album Salt of the Earth, a collaboration with Ricky Skaggs, won the Grammy for Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album.
Everyone would agree that The Whites’ success is all owed to Buck, whose passion for music inspired his daughters to follow in his footsteps.
Our prayers go out to Buck White’s daughters and all of his loved ones during this difficult time. May he rest in peace…
