Country music singer / guitarist. In the ‘50s Johnson formed the Kentucky Playboys. An early 1956 lineup featured Whitey with Don Henry (piano), and Bert Munroe. The group could be seen performing at Auggie’s.
Whitey Johnson & the Silvertones (1962-63) included Whitey, and Harold Lowry (a rockabilly singer/guitarist who had a previous single on Rebel Records ). The Silvertones played on weekends at the Jazz City club on Pratt Street.
Johnson later formed the Kentucky Colonels who played as house band at Zebelean’s (a club owned by Johnson) throughout the ‘60s-70s. An early lineup included Whitey, Lee Lester, Deacon Willie Adams, and Johnny Anthony.
Don Henry also played for Freddie Rick’s Pennsylvania Nite Hawks, and was a member of the Wedge Records studio band. He has also performed with Paul Seipp as a duo at various gigs throughout the ‘70s-00s.
Courtesy of Bob Anderson
Records by Whitey Johnson & the Kentucky Colonels (c1967-69):
196* Rebel 272 Don’t Roll Those Bloodshot Eyes at Me / Angry
196* Rebel 276 That’s My Desire / I Won’t Go Hunting with You Jake
196* Rebel 283 No Tear Drops Tonight / One Life Two Loves
