An American bluegrass music artist, performing principally on the mandolin.

Born in Maine to French-Canadian parents, Roland and his brothers Clarence and Eric took up music at an early age.

In 1954, the family moved to Burbank, California, and the White children eventually formed a band called the Three Little Country Boys. They soon secured a regular spot on a local radio programme and attracted the interest of country star, Joe Maphis.

In 1958, Billy Ray Latham joined the White brothers and they abbreviated their name to Country Boys. With Clarence on guitar, Roland on mandolin, Eric on acoustic bass, Latham on banjo and Leroy Mack on dobro, they could now play real bluegrass music.

Roland had to leave the band for military service in 1961, during which time the others began calling themselves the Kentucky Colonels. Roland rejoined in September 1962. The Kentucky Colonels were very productive between 1962 and 1965, releasing several albums and experimenting with electric bluegrass music.

The Kentucky Colonels disbanded at the end of 1965. Clarence was offered the job to play guitar in Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Boys, but he declined and recommended Roland instead.

Roland stayed with that group until 1969, when he joined the Nashville Grass, the backup band of Lester Flatt. He stayed there until 1973, when he and Clarence decided to reform the Kentucky Colonels. But this only lasted a few months; he and Clarence were struck by a drunken driver while loading their equipment into their group van after a performance. Roland was slightly injured, but Clarence died in the accident.

White then joined another bluegrass group, Country Gazette, remaining there for 13 years. In 1987 he joined the Nashville Bluegrass Band, staying with that group until 2000. After that he formed the Roland White Band, which is still active today. White is a noted mandolin teacher, having written and published several teaching manuals.