Jesco White, affectionately referred to as 'Appalachian Royalty' by some, is widely known as 'The Dancing Outlaw'. This moniker stems from his unique style of dancing, which is a subtle blend of tap and clog dancing, passed down to him from his father, D Ray White, a renowned mountain tap dancer in the United States.
As the popularity of the mini documentary 'The Dancing Outlaw' grew, so did the demand for Jesco. Many became aware of him through third-generation VCR tapes that were copied and handed off in a series of unimaginable successions, making him the cult icon that he is today. From architects to mechanics, Jesco's mystique and charm have captivated people for over a decade, solidifying his position as one of the most notorious members of the 'hellbilly' movement.
Jesco has been linked to many popular artists through song. Big and Rich mention him by name in their single 'Comin to Your City'. Hank Williams III wrote the song 'Legend of D Ray White', which honors the cultural significance of Jesco's father. The song also mentions Jesco, as well as another legendary Boone County artist, Hasil Adkins, and Jesco's sister Mamie White. Jesco has been known to lend his taps to music beds of many country songs.
Following the release of the newly acclaimed feature documentary 'The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia', Jesco is poised to captivate audiences once again, hitting the road to promote the White family lifestyle of hillbilly hi-jinks and tales of drugs, guns, and fighting - all part of a day in the life for the martyr of mountain tap dancing.
