The Whites have received a lot of honors and awards during their career, including two Grammy Awards. This last Saturday, they received another honor, they were inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame.

The ceremony took place at the Hall of Fame Theater in Carthage, TX. Ralph Emery served as the emcee for the event.

They weren’t alone as this year’s inductees also included country star Buck Owens, and singer-songwriter Mickey Newbury.

Here’s a bit of information about The Whites, from the press release.

Daddy Buck White began his musical journey in the Texas dance halls not long after the end of World War II. Retiring in the early 1960’s to raise a family with wife Pat, he moved his brood to Arkansas. In a matter of months, Buck and Pat were makin music again, forming a band called The Down Home Folks. Oldest daughters Sharon and Cheryl soon joined in and the family began performing at bluegrass festivals around the country. The 1970’s brought the White family’s move to Nashville and Pat White’s retirement to stay home with youngest daughters, Rosie and Melissa.

Changing the name of their band to reflect their family ties, The Whites turned their attention to country music in the 1980’s, enjoying a succession of Top 20 hits on Billboard’s country chart, culminating in their induction as members of the Grand Ole Opry in 1984. The Whites have continued to entertain and inspire audiences world-wide with their unique blend of bluegrass, country, and gospel music. In 2001, they were honored with ‘Album of the Year’ GRAMMY and CMA awards for their contribution to the soundtrack of the smash hit movie O Brother, Where Art Thou?, a film in which they also appeared. In 2008, The Whites earned GRAMMY and Dove awards for Salt of the Earth, a gospel collaboration with Ricky Skaggs. They may not use the name anymore, but Buck, Sharon, and Cheryl White are still creating music that’s as good and as real as everything conjured up by the phrase “down home folks.”

The Gospel Music Association has announced the nominees for the 2008 Dove Awards, and their bluegrass categories are chock full of familiar names.

The awards will be announced at the 39th Annual Dove Awards on April 23 in Nashville, TN.

The Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year nominees are:

• He’s In Control from Austins Bridge by Austins Bridge; Justin Rivers, Mike Kofahl, John Ramsey (writers); Daywind Records
• I Will Find You Again from Lifetimes by Little Roy Lewis, Earl Scruggs, Lizzy Long; Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey, Cindi Ballard (writers); Vine Records
• Love Will Be Enough from Salt of the Earth by Ricky Skaggs & The Whites; Janis Ian, Paul Overstreet (writers); Skaggs Family Records
• Salt of the Earth from Salt of the Earth by Ricky Skaggs & The Whites; Jim Rushing, Ronald Scaife (writers); Skaggs Family Records
• The Key To Heaven from Flyin’ High by The Lewis Family; Caleb Collins, Lyn Rowell (writers); Vine Records

In the Bluegrass Album of the Year category, we have:

• God’s Masterpiece - The Marksmen; Mark Wheeler (producer); Rural Rhythm Records
• Lifetimes - Little Roy Lewis, Earl Scruggs, Lizzy Long; Wayne Haun, Kevin Ward (producer); Vine Records
• Salt Of The Earth - Ricky Skaggs & The Whites; Ricky Skaggs & The Whites (producer); Skaggs Family Records
• Tell Someone - Kenny & Amanda Smith Band; Kenny & Amanda Smith Band (producer); Rebel Records
• Where No One Stands Alone - Paul Williams & The Victory Trio; Paul Williams (producer); Rebel Records

Congratulations and best of luck to them all!

When you watch televised awards shows, you always hear about “awards presented earlier in the day.” Well, that is when the niche music awards are presented, including ones of particular interest to readers of The Bluegrass Blog.

The 2008 Grammy Award for the Best Southern, Country, Or Bluegrass Gospel Album goes to Salt Of The Earth, from Ricky Skaggs & The Whites.

Congratulations, guys.

Here’s another CD that I’ve found the time to listen to. Ricky Skaggs recently released a CD with his wife Sharron and her family, The Whites. The CD is called Salt of the Earth, taking its name from the fourth track on the disc. The CD is released on the Skaggs Family label and distributed by Fontana. The CD was released in September of this year.

Salt of the Earth marks the first time that Ricky and The Whites have collaborated on an entire CD.

The Whites consist of sisters Sharron and Cheryl, along with their father Buck. Joining the Whites and Ricky on the CD are Mark Fain, Cody Kilby, and Andy Leftwich from Ricky’s band. Ricky’s daughter Molly, and a cast of Nashville session players accompany on various instruments.

The disc contains 13 tracks, most of them overtly gospel in nature. The first track is the only one that might not be considered an outright gospel song though it does speak of heaven and God’s love in the last verse.

Several old hymns, including Farther Along, Near The Cross, Blessed Assurance, and The Solid Rock, found their way onto this recording and they are perhaps some of my favorite tracks. These songs seem to be missing from many churches today, and it’s nice to have them here done in a straitforward manner, but with a bluegrass sensibility. Andy Leftwich’s tasteful fiddle really sweeten these old songs.

Lead vocals are shared more or less evenly between the four family members, with Ricky singing one or two more than each of the others. Tight family harmonies are heard throughout. The arrangements are all very appropriate and tastefull, even sparce at times, allowing the listener to connect with the lyrics and not get lost in fancy picking.

For fans of Skaggs, The Whites, and gospel music, this CD will be a welcome addition to the collection.

In a related note, we’ve learned that Skaggs and The Whites will be performing tomorrow, November 10, 2007 on A Prairie Home Companion. Their performance will center around songs from this CD with members of Kentucky Thunder providing accompaniment. Broadcast times vary depending on station so you’ll need to consult the station list for a broadcast in your area.

Alternately, you can tune in live netcast from 5-7PM CST.