Lexington country singer snags Josie Music Awards nomination

(Story also published on Lexington County Chronicle website here)

Country artist Catoe White of Lexington has earned a nomination at the 2026 Josie Music Awards for his single “90 Something Country,” which has been named a nominee for Song of the Year – Traditional/Classic Country (Male). 

The recognition marks a milestone for White, whose music “has remained firmly rooted in the storytelling, instrumentation and unmistakable character of traditional country music while continuing to build an audience throughout the Southeast,” according to a news release from his management company, Mandalyn Music Group.

Released in October 2025, “90 Something Country” was written by White alongside acclaimed Nashville songwriter Pete Sallis. Built around the sounds that helped define one of country music’s most celebrated eras, the song combines steel, fiddle and Telecaster-driven country with an energetic, dancehall-ready feel and a healthy dose of nostalgia.

For White, however, the song is more than an exercise in nostalgia. It reflects the music that shaped him as an artist.

“Influenced by artists including Merle Haggard, George Strait, Toby Keith and Alan Jackson, White has built his sound around the kind of honest lyrics, memorable melodies and unmistakably country production that first made him fall in love with the genre,” the release says. “‘90 Something Country’ captures that influence while giving White an opportunity to put his own stamp on the tradition.”

The song was born from a Nashville writing session with Sallis, whose résumé includes several recognizable names within country music. A Grammy-nominated songwriter who has spent more than two decades in Nashville, Sallis has had songs recorded by Maddie & Tae, Ronnie Dunn, Shenandoah and Bucky Covington, among others. His credits include Maddie & Tae’s “Shut Up and Fish” and Ronnie Dunn’s “Once.” His work also extends beyond country, with cuts by artists including Phillip Phillips and Keb’ Mo’. 

That pedigree made Sallis a natural collaborator for a song designed to capture what White loves most about country music without simply recreating the past.

“I grew up on Haggard, Strait and the kind of songs that feel like home,” White said when the single was originally announced. “Writing this one with Pete Sallis helped me bottle that ’90s feeling while keeping it fresh for today’s fans.” 

The Josie Music Awards recognize independent artists, songwriters and music industry professionals across a wide range of genres. White joins the 2026 field of nominees in the Traditional/Classic Country category with “90 Something Country.”

The Josie Music Awards will be presented on Sept. 20.