Lavelle White

Texas-based vocalist and songwriter "Miss" Lavelle White built an extensive catalog of singles across the 1950s and 1960s, yet her debut full-length album, Miss Lavelle, appeared only in 1994 on Austin's Antone's imprint. That release marked the end of a lengthy wait, since her gifts as both performer and composer had already earned notice throughout 1950s Houston, where she cut numerous sides for the Duke/Peacock roster. During the latter half of that decade her labelmates encompassed Bobby "Blue" Bland, B.B. King, and Junior Parker. In truth, Miss Lavelle stood as her first session of any kind in three decades. Its striking sound nevertheless opened doors at major blues festivals throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe, even while White sustained her club work across Chicago, Texas, Louisiana, and Florida during stretches without a recording contract.

Her initial breakthrough arrived via the self-penned "If I Could Be with You," after which further singles such as "Just Look at You Fool," "Stop These Teardrops," and "The Tide of Love" appeared on Duke/Peacock. Unlike many contemporaries, White entered the studio only after turning 25, an opportunity made possible when fellow Houstonian Johnny "Clyde" Copeland brought her to the attention of label owner Don Robey.

She had already begun composing poems and songs at age twelve, remarking in a 1994 conversation that "Hardships in life made me start to write," and noting that her earliest recording was the gospel number "Precious Lord, Lead Me On" with a vocal group. At sixteen she relocated to Houston and immersed herself in the city's expanding blues-club circuit alongside Clarence Hollimon, who later records for the Rounder label with his wife Carol Fran.

Decades after those modest beginnings, White continues to deliver performances with undiminished power and has maintained an unbroken commitment to singing and songwriting, even during periods away from touring. Following the 1994 release of Miss Lavelle came the 1997 album It Haven't Been Easy.