One of Grand's Own to be inducted into Oklahoma's Music Hall of Fame

Certainly, one of the things separating our great lake from many others are the amenities Grand Lake has to offer. Lakeside restaurants, clubs and other gathering places which feature live music may well be leading the way along with easy lake access, real estate developments and the largest concentration of boat dealerships in the southwest. Tunes are what makes many places prosper and perhaps the most recognizable musician on Grand Lake is none other than Don White, who has dominated the music scene since the early nineties.

The "Hall" recently announced their 2022 inductees, which includes Don Byas, Randy Crouch, Mike McClure and Don White. Tickets to the 25th Anniversary Concert and Induction Ceremony are available at www.cainsballroom.com. The event is scheduled for February 27th. And we're just proud to know ya' Don White!!

In 2018, when contacted about being a subject of our Legends of the Lake series, he relied, “Yeah, legends come about by living the longest.”

Perhaps, but playing and associating with some of the biggest stars in the business and spending over a decade in Nashville rubbing elbows with performers like J.J. Cale, Leon Russell, Mark Knopfler, John Mayer, Willie Nelson, Tom Petty, Johnny Rodriguez, Freddie Fender and more doesn’t hurt either. Don likes to say, “A lot of cuts that sold under a million copies.”

He’s come a long way from when his dad bought him that first toy guitar in Tulsa, Oklahoma. There were many bands and gigs before settling in to what has become his signature brand of music on Grand Lake…some rock from days gone by with country lyrics mixed in for good measure.

But for many years his roots were in Tulsa, Oklahoma where he attended and graduated from Central High School and later attended Northeaster State University in Tahlequah. Though he landed an accountant’s position with Sinclair Oil after three years of college, he says, “I wasn’t much of an accountant, but thanks to the girls in the steno pool helping out with my work, I lasted three years.”

Soon music was the centerpiece of his life and he played in some of Tulsa’s best-known establishments, including Toby’s Club, which in the end helped show Don the way to Grand Lake. He recalls, “Yeah, Estell Mooney would come in the club and listen to us play from time to time. This was prior to establishing Mooney’s where it is today, but he kept telling me I should be playing on Grand Lake. My first lake gig was in the early nineties for Sue and Junior Bailey at their Lakeview Supper Club and there have been many more since then.”

Grand Lake has become a big part of his and his wife, Debi Holcomb White’s life. Debi is one of the more successful realtors on Grand Lake with Butler Real Estate. They own property near Disney Point and Don admits he once thought Grand Lake was just for the rich and famous.

He says, “When I was a boy I thought you had to be rich to live on Grand Lake. Now that I do live here, I have confirmed that I was right. I feel I am rich, not in money, but in friendships, atmosphere and the relaxed feeling the lake life provides.”

As Don said, “One of the downsides of living long enough to be a legend, is losing some friends along the way. J.J. Cale, who played in our first band is one of those. Eric Clapton planned to do a tribute album for Cale and asked me to be part of the project. I sang three songs on the album and played the guitar on three tracks. The album is titled “The Breeze,” an appreciation of J.J. Cale with Eric Clapton and friends with special guests. I felt very special to be invited to participate in the project.”

Don is a mainstay on Grand Lake, but still plays in Tulsa at various places and really enjoys playing with his son Stephen. Father and son have been playing together since Stephen was in the fourth grade at Eliot Elementary. One of Don’s favorite memories is attending a talent show at the grade school and watching Stephen perform Rocky-Top. Don says, “When he was finished I blurted out that kids really talented.  Who does he belong to?”

A career well done, which started out on the road traveling throughout the Midwest and even up in to Canada. Over the years there have been friendships and heartaches, like playing with Gus Hardin during her first and last performances. Helping get a new nightspots like Sharky’s Club off the ground and becoming one of Grand Lake’s most popular gathering spots.  And finally learning there’s riches as measured in dollars and then there’s riches measured in quality of life.

Congratulations Don for an honor well earned. 

See Ya’ Around the Pond