John " Johnnie" Thomas White

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.Johnnie worked with a number of talented musicians, but his favorites were with his daughter JoAnn Marie and his wife Betty (featured center in this very rare photo).Johnnie graduated from Humes High School in Memphis, TN in 1946 following his service in the United States Marine Corps from 1944 to 1946. Johnnie was Humes High second most celebrated celebrity graduate. The first was fellow Memphis native Elvis Presley. As a Marine in the 2nd Marine Division, Johnnie served with distinction obtaining the rank of field music corporal and receiving a Purple Heart in the battle of Saipan.

Johnnie became a 32nd Degree Mason in the Scottish Rights while living in White Bear Lake, MN. His rapid advancement to this level has been matched by only one other person - former senator and vice president Hubert H. Humphrey.

Johnnie was extremely proud of his six children – Sharon Sievers of Dresser, WI, Judy Zeidell of Prescott Valley, AZ, JoAnn Frost of San Diego, CA, Jonnie Simon of Del Mar, CA, John White of San Jose, CA and Tab White of Poway, CA. Johnnie is preceded in death by his wife Betty of 50 years, and his brother, Gene Harold (Rocky) White of West Memphis, AR. Johnnie is survived by his sister Patsy Dunston also of West Memphis and his nine grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and two great, great grandchildren.

Funeral Services

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.