What was Tony Joe White's unique guitar playing style?

Tony Joe White was known for his unorthodox guitar playing technique, where he would carry the bass with his thumb on the low E-string while simultaneously playing the other strings, a style that left other guitarists in awe.

How is Tony Joe White's son Jody preserving his father's legacy?

Jody White is overseeing the rerelease of his father's 1980 album "The Real Thang" and plans to continue sharing more of Tony Joe White's unreleased music, as he discovered boxes of tapes spanning from 1965 to 2018 after his father's passing in 2018.

What was the significance of Tony Joe White's song "Polk Salad Annie"?

Tony Joe White's song "Polk Salad Annie" became a staple of Elvis Presley's live shows during his jumpsuit era in the 1970s, which Jody White describes as one of the most surreal moments of his father's life, as Presley was his hero.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Swamp Fox Tony Joe White's Unorthodox Guitar Style Celebrated in Reissue

Swamp Fox Tony Joe White's Unorthodox Guitar Style Celebrated in Reissue

28 Oct, 2025

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Summary

Tony Joe White's final album "Bad Mouthin'" released shortly before his death in 2018
Son Jody White overseeing rerelease of his father's 1980 album "The Real Thang"
White known for his unique guitar playing, carrying bass with thumb while playing other strings

Swamp Fox Tony Joe White's Unorthodox Guitar Style Celebrated in Reissue

Two years ago, in October 2018, legendary country-funk singer and guitarist Tony Joe White, known as the "Swamp Fox," passed away at the age of 75. However, his musical legacy lives on through the efforts of his son, Jody White, who is determined to introduce White's unique sound to a new generation of listeners.

This month, Jody oversaw the rerelease of his father's 1980 album "The Real Thang," which features songs like "Good-bye L.A." and "Cowboy Singer." Jody explains that he is committed to sharing more of his father's music, as there are boxes and boxes of unreleased tapes spanning from 1965 to 2018 that he discovered after White's passing.