Country music legend dead at 94 as daughters share heartbreaking tribute

Country legend Buck White has died aged 94 as his heartbroken daughters paid tribute.

The Whites artist died around 8 a.m. on Monday, according to a statement released by his daughters Sharon, Cheryl, Rosie and Melissa via their frequent collaborator and Sharon’s husband, Rick Skaggs’ Facebook.

“He was a great father who taught us by example to always put Jesus first. His great loves were the Lord, our mother, his family and music,” the family wrote.

“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 ended it well,” the statement continued. “We are so grateful for his 94 years on this earth.”

His family has not released any further details about his death.

He is best known for his work with The Whites, which included him and his daughters Cheryl and Sharon.

The three performed together after coming to Nashville in 1971 to pursue a music career The country standard time.

The group earned a CMA nomination for Vocal Group of the Year and the Horizon/New Artist awards.

Prior to the family act, which debuted in 1983, White had a solo career in the 1970s under the name Buck White & the Down Home Folks. Legacy.com.

“He was a great father who taught us by example to always put Jesus first. His great loves were the Lord, our mother, his family and music,” the family wrote. “We are so grateful for his 94 years on this earth.” (photo L-R: Cheryl, Buck, Ricky Skaggs and Sharon)

The Whites joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1984 after their second album, Forever You, was released.

Until his death, White was the Opry’s oldest member with 40 years of membership.

He had previously said that he always “dreamed” of joining the Opry and that his mother “always played it on the radio.”

The musical institution honored the musician, writing on X: ‘Thank you for all the music, memories, laughter and for “Doing It By The Book”, Buck White. We will miss you.’

The Whites’ last album was released in 2000, and according to Legacy.com, only Sharon went on to pursue a solo career.

The group was best known for their songs Hangin’ Around, Give Me Back That Old Familiar Feeling and You Put The Blue In Me.

They also collaborated with Skaggs on Salt of the Earth, which won the 2008 Grammy for Best Southern/Country Bluegrass Album.

White and his daughter also won the Album of the Year award in 2001 for the album O Brother, Where Art Thou?, a collection of various artists including The Whites.

The Whites joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1984 after their second album, Forever You, was released. Until his death, White was the Opry’s oldest member with 40 years of membership

The music institution honored the musician, writing on X: ‘Thank you for all the music, memories, laughter and for “Doing It By The Book”, Buck White. We will miss you’

White was born on December 13, 1930 in Oklahoma and grew up around music.

In his early days as a musician, he worked as a plumber during the day while playing piano and mandolin at night, according to The Standard Time.

He moved to Arkansas in 1961, where he would eventually meet his wife, Pat, and they would form Buck White & the Down Home Folks.

Many paid tribute to the artist, including WSM Radio, which plays the Opry.

It wrote on X: “All of us at WSM were saddened today to hear of the passing of Opry member Buck White, and we send our condolences to Sharon, Cheryl and the entire White family. Thanks for all the music and the memories, Buck. We will miss you.’

Entertainer Randall Franks reminisced on X how White “had been a part of my life for so many years.”

“I am saddened by the passing of my longtime friend and Encourager – Grand Ole @opry star Buck White, but comforted by the knowledge that he is with the Lord he loved, along with his wife Pat.

“I was so honored that he invested some of his starshine in me and played a role in rededicating my life to Christ many years ago.”