Born: November 12, 1909

Died: February 26, 1977

Bukka White, named after Booker T. Washington, played Delta and country blues guitar from the 1920s through 1977. He learned guitar when he was 9. White was influenced by Charlie Patton and Blind Willie Johnson. He recorded four studio albums, one live album and 15 compilation albums. A traveling musician, White lived in St. Louis, Cleveland, Chicago and Memphis.

What is Blues Music According to Bukka White:
“You’ve got to sit down and sing the blues where people understand it. Everybody knows the blues is just a feeling.”

How to Gear up like Bukka White:
If you want to play like Bukka White, use National resonator steel guitars. Add a slide with open tuning. Use occasional crossnote tuning in E minor, which few except for Bukka White and Skip James could do.

Essential Blues Music Tracks from Bukka White:
Shake ‘Em on Down

Poor Boy

Fixin’ to Die Blues

Parchman Farm Blues

Aberdeen, Mississippi

Well Known Covers:
Fixin to Die Blues – Bob Dylan

Aberdeen, Mississippi – by Kenny Wayne Shepherd

Famous for Playing With: Memphis Minnie, Washington White