The Drop: Tony Joe White

Covered by the likes of Ray Charles, Elvis, and Tina Turner, Tony Joe White has done it all. Growing up in Louisiana, White observed the sights, sounds, and details of his surroundings and turned them into songs which revolutionized and popularized Swamp Rock music. With multiple albums breaking the Top 10 on Billboard’s Top Blues Albums chart, he still believes that music is not about getting the next No. 1 hit, but about writing from your soul. “Writing and playing and doing music not for the benefit of having a No. 1 record, just to let it out of your soul, means that somebody has fed it down to you,” he says. Representing a dying breed of musicians, White keeps it old school and still builds a campfire to write any new song. Best known for hits including “Polk Salad Annie” and “Rainy Night in Georgia,” White released his 19th studio album, Rain Crow, on May 27. Recorded at his studio and produced by his son, Jody White, Rain Crow summons recollections of long ago, when animals foretold the weather; tongue-talking worshippers proved their faith by handling snakes; and a “bad wind” could drive a man to the edge of insanity. The album features songs co-written with his wife, Leann, and Billy Bob Thornton. The GRAMMY Museum is pleased to welcome Tony Joe White to the Clive Davis Theater for an intimate discussion on his new album and career, moderated by Scott Goldman, Vice President of the GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares. The conversation will be followed by a special performance.