D. Ray White

Who was D. Ray White?

Donald Ray White, more commonly known as D. Ray White, was an American mountain dancer and entertainer, and the patriarch of the White family. He has been featured in several American documentary films that detail the White family, and the Hank Williams III song "The Legend of D. Ray White." His style was a subtle mix of tap and clog dancing that is native to the Appalachian Mountains and Appalachia. D. Ray rose to regional stardom before his murder in 1985 and became known as one of the greatest mountain dancers of his time. His son, Jesco White, or "The Dancing Outlaw," who has also been the subject of several documentaries, has carried on his style and continues to perform.