[4] White relocated to Houston, Texas, at the age of 15, and started to perform in that city's blues clubs with the guitarist Clarence Hollimon.

[1][5] Her break came when Johnny Copeland recommended her to Don Robey, the owner of the Duke and Peacock record labels.

[1] White co-wrote Bobby Bland's "Lead Me On", which was a hit in 1960, though her contribution was credited to Deadric Malone, a pseudonym used by Robey.

[1] In the 1960s she shared stages with many musicians, including Bland, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Junior Parker, Aretha Franklin and Jerry Butler.

[5] She moved to Chicago in 1978, where she performed in various clubs and worked with Junior Wells, Lonnie Brooks and Buddy Guy.

[6] The same year, White appeared with Delbert McClinton on the television program Austin City Limits.