Clarence White - The Kentucky Colonels

The Kentucky Colonels

Clarence Joseph LeBlanc was born on June 7, 1944 in Lewiston, Maine. In 1954 the family followed relatives to Burbank, California from Madawaska, Maine. That year, the White brothers (Roland, Clarence, and Eric Jr.) formed a band called the Three Little Country Boys. They soon secured a regular spot on a local radio program, and attracted the interest of country star Joe Maphis. In 1958 the band cut their first single, and had become well enough known to land several appearances on the Andy Griffith Show. In late 1962, the Country Boys became the Kentucky Colonels.

Despite their successes, the Colonels were having a harder time making a living playing bluegrass. The folk boom had been staggered by the British Invasion in 1964, but the death blow, ironically, was dealt in mid-1965 with the release of "Mr. Tambourine Man" by The Byrds and "Subterranean Homesick Blues" by Bob Dylan. While they did attempt to experiment with electric instrumentation, this was only met with indifference from rock audiences and consternation from their folk and country fan base. By October 1965, the Colonels dissolved as an ongoing unit after playing their final show on Halloween night.