Roland White began playing professionally at the age of 16 after his family moved from their native Maine to Burbank, California. He led his brothers in their first band, The Country Boys, later known as The Kentucky Colonels, was a member of Lester Flatt's Nashville Grass, Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys, the progressive bluegrass band Country Gazette, The Nashville Bluegrass Band, which won two Grammies, and The Roland White Band, which earned a 2003 Grammy nomination for the CD Jelly on my Tofu. Roland is known as one of the few unique stylists on the mandolin, with his own unmistakable sound and touch. In his distinguished career in bluegrass music, Roland has played in some of the most influential and popular groups in the music's history. His soul and infectious rhythm enable him to seem to dance through his instrument. Roland is widely praised as a gentle and patient teacher. He has taught mandolin and guitar privately, and at workshops and camps, including the California Bluegrass Association's Summer Music Camp, Augusta Heritage Week, Camp Bluegrass, Rockygrass Academy, Bluegrass Masters Camp, Bluegrass at the Beach, Nashcamp, Roanoke Bluegrass Weekend, and Kaufman Camp, for many years. He loves to teach beginners, or beginner/intermediate players, and has boundless enthusiasm for the music, which rubs off on those around him. He has published two critically acclaimed mandolin methods instruction book/CD sets, Roland White's Approach to Bluegrass Mandolin and Roland White's Mandolin Christmas, and is in high demand at music camps and seminars. His students at camps always love him.
