Tony Joe White sat just inside the corral, looking.
Behind him a bit, but quiet and following Tony's gaze,
were his wife Leann and children.
They, too, were relaxed but still intent.
"Man, it sure is a pleasure to just relax and watch 'em. Real relaxin'," Tony said and a smile erupted from somewhere deep inside him.
Tony, Leann and their two youngsters, Michelle and Jim Bob, were watching two of their fine Appaloosas, Sanstorm and Minidoka Lil. Sanstorm was purchased from television star and Appaloosa breeder Jim Brolin, and Minidoka Lil from L. W. "Bill" Moore, Hansen, Idaho.
Tony knew he wanted top-quality horses and traveled 3,500 miles around the country to find them. Once he made up his mind, he was in the business but good. Appaloosas became the star attraction of White's 1,200-acre ranch in Mountain View, Ark.
Minidoka Lil, who spent the spring in training at San Luis Rey Downs, was promptly put on the show circuit in Tennessee and proved Tony's eye for horseflesh. She was grand champion mare the first two times out.
"That was really an exciting show for us as Michelle placed first in the leadline class and we also had two fillies that placed," said Leann White.
The Whites have built a new barn at the ranch with stall provision for at least 20 horses. If Sanstorm does well at the track, they hope the stalls are full of mares for the 1973 breeding season.
Tony Joe and Leann look on horses as a business. That is the reason for the many hours spent in the selection of quality horses. And, that is the reason Sanstorm is headed for the track. They know what they want - success in the horse business - and they know it can take time and a lot of energy.
Sanstorm, whose sire is the swift Navajo Breeze, may see some action on the track next year. He is highly colored and has the credentials needed to run. He was turned over to Lewis Wartchow last month to begin training for the 1972 campaign. What leads a very busy fellow to turn to horses? "We like 'em, like to watch 'em ... it's just relaxin'."
are great buddies.
A tall cat, Tony is 6'2" and has black hair. He has plenty of appeal on stage and with a microphone in hand. The rangy singer has had several hit records.
Tony Joe spent seven years working in southern clubs before he felt it necessary to part from his band to write his own kind of "earth soul" music. The songs had a true ring to them, a type of nostalgia that turns back time. And there's a reason. Tony drew on his experiences for the material.
Within one year, Tony Joe established himself and his music as a new and successful trend. His records, "Polk Salad Annie," "Soul Francisco," and "High Sheriff" have all gained high chart placings as have his albums, "Black and White," "Tony Joe White" and "Tony Joe White, Continued."
His compositions have been recorded by some of the biggest names in the industry. Brook Benton had a million seller with "A Rainy Night in Georgia," Dusty Springfield cut "Willie and Laura Mae Jones," and both Elvis Presley and Tom Jones have recorded Tony Joe's own hit, "Polk Salad Annie."
Tony came from a musical family. He was born 27 years ago in Oak Grove, La., the youngest of seven children. He's come a long way from the swamps and has appeared on most of the television talk and talent shows. On the Mike Douglas Show, the usually jaded studio audience applauds only when the sign tells them to do so. When Tony appeared not long ago, however, the effect was electric and the audience responded to his guitar and harmonica.
Just recently he starred with Kenny Rodgers and the First Edition on television. One of Rodgers' boys said, "Tony's was the best show we've done so far. " And, Tony just returned from a European tour with Creedence Clearwater Revival where they played to standing-room-only crowds.
All of the songs he writes are from memories he has had and arc drawn from deep impressions.
Like, "They Caught the Devil and Put Him in jail in Eudora, Arkansas. This came from a bit of excitement about the ole devil being captured when Tony was just a little guy. The impression remained and finally the song.
Tony has been impressed with his Appaloosas, and not only for their winnings at shows. He simply likes their company. Maybe it's just a prelude to a Tony Joe White original about the spotted horse.
Don Walker
January 1972
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