Bluegrass Mandolin Master

Member of the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame

More about Roland White


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Roland White onstage at MerleFest Bluegrass Boys Reunion
Roland White playing mandolin, photo by Mickey Dobo
Roland White at Music City Roots
Roland White being inducted into IBMA Hall of Fame

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Mandolin Man: The Bluegrass Life of Roland White by Bob Black

Paperback, 275 pages
New Roland White Biography
From the publisher: "Roland White's long career has taken him from membership in Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys and Lester Flatt's Nashville Grass to success with his own Roland White Band. A master of the mandolin and acclaimed multi-instrumentalist, White has mentored a host of bluegrass musicians and inspired countless others.

Bob Black draws on extensive interviews with White and his peers and friends to provide the first in-depth biography of the pioneering bluegrass figure. Born into a musical family, White found early success with the Kentucky Colonels during the 1960's folk revival. The many stops and collaborations that marked White's subsequent musical journey trace the history of modern bluegrass. But Black also delves into the seldom-told tale of White's life as a working musician, one who endured professional and music industry ups-and-downs to become a legendary artist and beloved teacher." The book can be purchased here.  

 

Roland White and Friends Bring New Life To An Honored Legacy

Roland White and Friends Tribute to the Kentucky Colonels CD CoverArden, NC -- A living legend recently inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, master mandolin player and singer Roland White is celebrating a trailblazing period of his storied career with new recordings of songs he helped make classic a half century ago. Roland White and Friends: A Tribute to the Kentucky Colonels is a collection of hand-picked favorites that comprise an ultimate tribute to a groundbreaking era in the genre. The album was officially released October 26, 2018, and can be purchased here.  

Mandolin and Guitar Instruction

Bluegrass Mandolin Method Book and 2 CD set
$29.95 + shipping
Roland White’s Approach to Bluegrass Mandolin
60 page spiral-bound book with 2 CDs.
30 songs and tunes, each song played slow and medium tempo, complete instruction in playing bluegrass mandolin for beginner to advanced.
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Clarence White Bluegrass Guitar Book/2 CD set
$39.95 + shipping
The Essential Clarence White Bluegrass Guitar Leads
102 page spiral-bound book with 2 CDs.  
14 songs and tunes with variations, in notation and tablature, crosspicking, bio, photos, instruction and analysis. 
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Mandolin Christmas Tab and Notation Book with CD
$19.95 + shipping
Roland White’s Mandolin Christmas
44 page book with CD.
10 Christmas classics in notation and tablature, lyrics & chord diagrams for mandolin and guitar, great for beginners
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Christmas Chordbook with Lyrics for Mandolin and Guitar
$7.50 download
Roland White’s Christmas Chord Book
Two 24-page pdf books.
Diagrams for easy mandolin chords placed over the lyrics to 10 traditional Christmas songs, plus guitar chords!  Each song is shown in two keys, to back up singers with higher or lower voices. No "stretch" chords. Appendices with larger diagrams of all chords, around 50 for mandolin, 25 for guitar. Immediate delivery as two 24-page pdf files. This is not a melody or tab book--see Roland White's Mandolin Christmas for melodies.
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Questions about our books, cds,  private lessons, or availability for shows and workshops? Please contact us here.

News

New release

Roland White & Friends Tribute to the Kentucky Colonels, featuring bluegrass's hottest young players!

Jim Lauderdale Roland White CD

Jim Lauderdale & Roland White

Recorded in 1979, released in 2018. Buy it here.

How to Play Mandolin Backup DVD - coming soon

Mandolin Backup DVD

 In the works: Roland teaches bluegrass mandolin backup as only he can play it. Yes, there's more to backup than chopping chords.

What People Say About Our Bluegrass Instruction

“I can't tell you how much I am appreciating Roland White's Approach to Bluegrass Mandolin book and CD's.  It is well written, answers many of my questions [and] has given me plenty of quality material to work with.  I enjoy the layout and find the ‘asides’ wonderful.”

Mandolin student, player Patsy Kline
Patsy Kline
Lawn PA

“Your materials are totally worth the 30 bucks.  If I had paid double or more I would feel the same way.  Thank you for all of the time and effort you have both put into this series. 

Mandolin student, player Rebecca Pitre
Rebecca Pitre
Galena, MD

The Essential Clarence White is a masterpiece.” 

Guitar student, player Paul Sikorski
Paul Sikorski
Franklin, TN
IN THE PRESS
Mandolin Cafe logo
Interview & photos, video
Mel Bay logo
Video Interview
Bluegrass Unlimited review of Clarence White guitar book
Book Review