Biography
Artie 'Blues Boy' White was born on April 16, 1937, in Vicksburg, Mississippi. He began his musical journey singing gospel with the Harps of David at age 11, later joining the Full Gospel Wonders after moving to Chicago in 1956[1][2][3][7]. In Chicago, White became immersed in the vibrant local music scene, initially focusing on gospel before transitioning to blues in the early 1960s—a shift famously attributed to a chance encounter with a well-dressed stranger who offered him $10,000 to record blues music[2].
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, White recorded singles for independent labels such as P&M, Gamma, and Al Tee, achieving modest chart success with 'You Are My Leanin' Tree' in 1977[1][2]. His breakthrough came with the 1984 album 'Blues Boy' for Ronn Records, which established his reputation as a soulful blues master. White adopted 'Blues Boy' as part of his stage name and went on to release a prolific series of albums on Ichiban and Waldoxy, blending Southern soul and blues with authentic instrumentation, a notable contrast to the synthesizer-driven trends of the era[1][2][6].
Artie White was celebrated for his rich, throaty vocals and commitment to traditional blues and soul, producing nearly a dozen albums over fifteen years and running a blues lounge in Chicago[2][1]. He continued recording and performing until his death on April 20, 2013, leaving a legacy as one of the most respected and influential figures in contemporary Southern soul and blues[1][3][6].
Fun Facts
- Artie White ran his own blues lounge in Chicago, supporting the local music community[2].
- He adopted the nickname 'Blues Boy' after the success of his debut album, echoing the famous B.B. King[1][2].
- White was known for refusing to use synthesizers, preferring real instruments and musicians even as electronic sounds dominated black music in the 1980s[1].
- A legendary story claims White switched from gospel to blues after being offered $10,000 by a mysterious stranger in a Cadillac on a Chicago street[2].
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Gospel tradition (Harps of David, Full Gospel Wonders) - Early musical training and spiritual influence through gospel groups (Performances with Harps of David and Full Gospel Wonders) [1948-early 1960s]
Key Collaborators
- Little Milton - Lead guitar on White's album 'Thangs Got To Change' (Thangs Got To Change (Ichiban, 1989)) [1989]
Artists Influenced
- Contemporary Southern Soul and Blues artists - White's dedication to authentic blues and soul inspired a new generation of musicians to maintain traditional instrumentation and vocal styles (General influence across Chicago blues scene and Southern Soul genre) [1980s-2010s]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Home Tonight | 1997-02-13 | Album |
| Can We Get Together | 1999-06-08 | Album |
| Different Shades of Blue | 1994-02-25 | Album |
| Can We Get Together | 1999 | Album |
| Home Tonight | 1997 | Album |
| Different Shades Of Blue | 1994-02-25 | Album |
Top Tracks
- The More You Lie to Me (Home Tonight)
- Your Man Is Home Tonight (Home Tonight)
- How Long (Can We Get Together)
- Man of the House (Home Tonight)
- Can We Get Together (Can We Get Together)
- My Dessert (Can We Get Together)
- Black Cat Scratchin' (Home Tonight)
- When You Leave Don't Take Nothin (Can We Get Together)
- Back At the Hotel (Can We Get Together)
- I'm Gonna Marry My Mother-In-Law (Different Shades of Blue)
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
ARTIE BLUES BOY WHITE has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 9, 2025 | 14:19 | I'VE BEEN SHACKIN' | Bluesw/ DJ Giant |