DARLINGTON — As a lifelong auctioneer based in Darlington, Dick White has literally used his voice to make a living for decades.
So when the 75-year-old hung up his auctioneer’s mic eight years ago and sold his business, you’d think some silence would be golden — but not for White. Not only did he not stay silent, he flourished, marrying his strong voice with his beloved guitar to power a popular local band called “South 40.”
They play classic rock mostly, with some old-school country and rockabilly, the latter of which his black Gretsch “Rat Rock” style guitar is ideal. He has been playing guitar for at least 25 years, but through South 40, he’s been given the opportunity to play at charity outings, street festivals and everything in between.
Recently, audiences caught them at the July 4th celebration in Wiota. They provide the soundtrack for a lot of “Rat Rod” type car shows in the region, he says. And they’ll be playing for free at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 31 at McKellar Park in Blanchardville.
Most of it can be danced to, or two-stepped to, and as White says “if you can two-step to it, you can bop to it, and most people know how to do that.”
The members have varied over the years and people sometimes sit in, but the original band included Al Mell of Stoughton, on lead guitar, bass, fiddle and other instruments; Roger Kittle of Blanchardville, who handles bass and vocals; and Rick Davis of Dodgeville on drums. On occasion, White also plays a show solo-acoustic.
Favorite tunes include some of the hits from one of White’s favorite influences, Johnny Cash. But the music runs the spectrum and includes plenty of classic country — most of it easily recognizable but with White and South 40s twist on things.
“I’ve been very lucky,” White said, reflecting on his career not only as an auctioneer but as a musician. “I can still sing. I can do an auction for three or four hours and then play a gig if I have to.”
He doesn’t see himself stopping anytime soon, either. His wife, Sharon, fully supports his full schedule and attends a lot of gigs. They also go to a lot of gigs together, he said, because they share a deep love of music and dancing together.
“Sometimes I’ll put my guitar down and the guys will cover for me, and I’ll run out and dance with her,” he said. “I really enjoy that.”
Reflecting on his auctioning days, he said, the career allowed him to experience the world and travel around the Midwest, mostly.
“There were always different cultures, different people from different walks of life,” he said. “When you come to do an auction at someone’s farm, they really treated you like family, like a king, and I’m thankful I got to be a part of that.”
Now he’s grateful for the music and that Gretsch Guitar with the tremelo bar. He even had it custom painted.
“I had (an artist) paint flames on it,” he said. “It’s really cool.”
For more information, or to book the band, call 608-776-4185.
