Roland White

Mandolin
Bluegrass Week 1

Springing from a large family of musicians, Roland, along with brothers Eric and Clarence, first formed a band in southern California, The Country Boys (later to become the Kentucky Colonels).

Moving from The Kentucky Colonels to a position as guitarist for Bill Monroe in the late ‘60s, Roland absorbed the traditional feel and repertoire from the Father Of Bluegrass that remains a strong element in his music today.

Roland spent many years with The Nashville Bluegrass Band, distinguished themselves as the premier bluegrass band of their generation, winning two Grammys and Grammy nominations on all of their albums.

After a career devoted to playing bluegrass in several of the most influential groups in the music’s history, Roland now fronts his own group, The Roland White Band. He is known as one of the few unique stylists on the mandolin, with his own unmistakable sound and touch.

Add to this his mastery of ensemble playing, harmonic sophistication, and warm voice guided by a subtle and swinging sense of phrasing, and you have the legend that Roland has become.

In addition to recording and performing, Roland and his wife Diane Bouska have produced a series of instructional books and CDs for mandolin. You can find them and more at his Web site, www.rolandwhite.com.