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BORN
1925
DIED
2013
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Johnnie White Obituary
Johnnie White, 87, of Van Nuys, CA, passed away peacefully in Los Angeles on Friday, October 4, 2013.
Johnnie was the owner and featured performer at the Little Nashville Club in North Hollywood, CA from 1977 to 1989, when he retired finishing over 60 years in the music and entertainment business.
Johnnie owned businesses in Sioux Falls, SD (The Club Cabana, The Peppermint Stick, John's Bar and Steak House, and the Corral Bar) as well as in Minneapolis, MN (also, the Little Nashville Club). Johnnie and his band toured throughout the Midwest, Montana, and Canada.
Johnnie and his "Rhythm Riders" later to be known as the "Sons of the West" and then finally as "The Johnnie White Show" were also the featured performers on radio stations WNAX in Yankton and KSOO in Sioux Falls, SD and also on television stations KVTV in Sioux City, IA and KELO, KPLO, and KDLO in Sioux Falls, SD during the 1950's and 60's. In 2010, Johnnie became the first inductee in the South Dakota Country Music Hall of Fame.
Eternal Valley Cemetery, 23287 North Sierra Hwy 14, Newhall, CA will be performing a public viewing from 4 to 8pm on Friday, October 11; and a funeral, gravesite and reception on Saturday, October 12 at 10am. Correspondence can also be sent to [email protected]
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Johnnie White
'harvey'
August 12, 2014
Rest in eternal bliss Johnnie and Betty. Thank you for the music, your humor and hospitality. Learning of your passing has rekindled many fond memories of my misspent youth - playing cards in your Airstream trailer, you fixing your pretty keyboard player's hair while she sang, "Muskrat Susie, Muskrat Sam, do the jitterbug out in muskrat land..." It was time to go to work, and outdoors .... howling wind, 20º below and 12 inches of new snow.
The summer of 1977, I drove to LA to visit the band at the Little Nashville Club. At Johnnie's insistence and as a favor to a stranger, I took a group of penguins to the world famous San Diego Zoo. We had such a fun afternoon at the zoo, I then took them to the movies.
Johnnie and 100 patrons of the LNC thought this incredibly amusing. In retrospect, it was amusing. What happened next isn't quite as funny. Those penguins took a shine to me. They followed me home. Thirty-seven years later they're still in my backyard. They never leave except Saturdays when I take them water skiing on Lake Mead.
I wish someone from San Diego would call and tell me what to do with these darn penguins. (701) 240-0301
My tearful condolences to Johnnie and Betty's children. Your parents were wonderful people.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTaWayUE5XA
Sandy Crowe
October 13, 2013
I am so sorry! I'm here at work with tears streaming down my face. My mom was a good friend of your dad's. I have pictures of them together, along with their other friends. I was just down at Eternal Valley in June to lay mom's ashes next to dad. Johnny had invited my daughter and I to come see him but we had so little time that we had to miss doing that.
Well, at least now your dad and my mom are in Heaven dancing with their friends and loved ones. In fact, that's what I put on mom's marker, "I Hope You Dance."
Take care, and thanks for letting me know.
Sandy Roder
October 13, 2013
Thanks so much for sending the beautiful obituary for your dad. So many fond memories. Give our love and condolences to everyone. Tell Joann to get in touch!
Cyndi Gillis
October 13, 2013
I am so very sorry to her the sad news about the passing of your father! Please know that you all have my heartfelt sympathy for your loss! Johnny White, was always very special and dear friend to my parents, Harry and Maxine Buskohl and to my sister Connie and me! I have so many fond memories of our two families getting together, both at Brandt Lake, and at both of our parent
Wayne Wagner
October 13, 2013
You and your family have my deepest sympathy. Johnnie was my mentor and I will always be thankful for everything he has taught me. He showed me how to be a professional entertainer and to appreciate country and western music.
Sherwin Linton
October 13, 2013
Johnny White had helped Sherwin greatly when he hired him as a featured performer with his band at his "Club Cabana" in Sioux Falls in the summer of 1956. Johnny was a Country Music icon in the mid-west with his "Sons of the West Band." Sherwin was proud to induct Johnny into a "South Dakota Legends Hall of Fame" in 2011. Johnny had moved to California in the late 1970's and had a successful night club there and continued to perform until his death at the age of 88. We will surely miss Johnny.
Forrest Allen
October 12, 2013
He was a neat guy and his "joint LNW" was a great spot and a lot of fun. RIP Johnnie
October 9, 2013
Our family lived across from the Whites on 5th & Minnesota in SFSD. We played with Sharon White and sibs. We were proud to say we lived by Johnny White & family. Johnny White left a great legacy. Our condolences to your family. Sincerely, Mitzi Holmoe Sandberg
Bruce Laughrey
October 9, 2013
My condolences... Johnny was a great influence in my early life as a muscian.
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Eternal Valley Memorial Park & Mortuary23287 North Sierra Hwy, Newhall, CA 91321
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