“Rainy Night In Georgia” songwriter Tony Joe White has died suddenly late Wednesday afternoon at his home in Leiper’s Fork, according to his family. White was 75 years of age. He was known for his signature “swamp rock” sound. His songs have been recorded by some of the greats including Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, Tina Turner, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton and more.
In 1967, White was signed to Monument Records. He released his first album, Black And White, in 1969. The album was recorded at RCA Victor Studios in Nashville and featured his the hit, “Polk Salad Annie,” a tune that reflected his hardscrabble childhood growing up in the cotton country and swamplands of northeastern Louisiana. Elvis would go on to perform the song regularly in his sets throughout the ’70s.
In the following decades the artist affectionately known as The Swamp Fox continued to write, record and tour. In September 2018, White released a new album called Bad Mouthin,’ which was billed as his first proper blues release. The record featured several traditional blues numbers, along with five White originals.
White is survived by his wife, Leann, children Michelle, Jim Bob and Jody, and several grandchildren. Funeral arrangements have not yet been finalized.
