Article Contributed by IVPR
Published on October 30, 2025
Tony Joe White’s beautifully distilled brand of swampy, funky country music was just on the cusp of blossoming on his album The Real Thang when it was originally released in 1980. Eventually, the groovy outlaw country vibe became a staple of the rest of White’s career, both on stage and in the studio. With today’s re-release—of sorts—White’s son, Jody White, opens the curtain on his late father’s The Real Thang-era output, shining a light on an album and the extra tunes surrounding it that have never been heard before. “This is kind of his forgotten era,” says Jody of the time period during which The Real Thang was recorded. “He didn’t have a major record deal, and he was writing all of these great songs.”
White was also kicking around Nashville with his good friend Waylon Jennings at the time, writing songs and, in some cases, recording them, too. “You can hear the country part [of Tony Joe’s sound] in this particular record,” Jody says. “And Waylon was his best friend. We were at Waylon’s house all the time watching Dallas Cowboys games on Monday Night Football or celebrating Thanksgiving.” Jennings joins White for a number of songs on this new release of The Real Thang, bringing the Louisiana songwriter known as “The Swamp Fox” a little more into the country music fold. “Everything they ever sang about and wrote about was real,” Jody says. “Even if it’s a fictional tale of a cowboy out on the road, the emotion, feeling, and authenticity these guys put into their words and music is something that you can feel every time you listen.”
As Jody continues to unearth his father’s archival recordings, it’s clear that The Real Thang is just the tip of the iceberg of the legend and lore of Tony Joe White. The album title itself is becoming more and more a genuine description of the man himself—this elusive musician whose work shines as bright as it did the day it was first captured in the recording booth. “His music leaves a lasting legacy,” Jody says. “And he will continue to reach generation after generation.”
Fans can now stream The Real Thang in its entirety right here and for more information or to purchase a physical copy on vinyl or CD, please visit tonyjoewhite.com. To hear more stories about the project and Tony Joe White, be sure to check out Jody White’s recent interviews with Otis Gibbs.
Along with the release of this new music, the newly formed Tony Joe White Supply Co. has just brewed its first beer, aptly named Cowboy Singer. Brewed by Peaceful Side Brewery, the crisp and refreshing international lager is currently available in Nashville area Kroger grocery stores.
For those in or near Nashville, a celebration of the release of The Real Thang is taking place tonight (Friday, October 24th) at Turkey and the Wolf Icehouse in East Nashville. From 4-6 pm CT, they’ll be spinning the new album, giving out free Cowboy Singer beer, and even cooking up a signature Tony Joe White chicken-fried steak sandwich. Come on out and make an evening with The Real Thang.
The Real Thang Tracklist:
Goodbye LA
Mama’s Don’t Let Your Cowboys Grow Up to be Babies
Cowboy Singer
It Just Don’t Get It No More
Redneck Women
I Came Here to Party
That’s the Way a Cowboy Rocks n Rolls
Let’s Trade Heartaches
She Sits Close to the Driver
Pour Me Another Memory
Hangin’ On
Alligator Stomp
Swamp Rap
I Get Off On It
Grounded
Even Trolls Love Rock n Roll
Polk Salad Annie
Disco Blues
More About Tony Joe White: Across five decades as a performer and storyteller, Tony Joe White—a.k.a. “The Swamp Fox”—left an indelible mark on American music. His catalog offers indisputable classics such as “Polk Salad Annie” and “Rainy Night in Georgia,” and his songs have been recorded by Ray Charles, Kenny Chesney, Waylon Jennings, Tim McGraw, Willie Nelson, Elvis Presley, Dusty Springfield, and Tina Turner.
