White will join Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame

White was elected in NaSHOF's Legacy category designed specifically to honor hall of fame-worthy candidates who are deceased. He will be inducted posthumously alongside the previously announced members of the Class of 2024 – David Bellamy (The Bellamy Brothers), Al Anderson, Liz Rose, Dan Penn and Victoria Shaw – during the 54th Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala on Nov. 6.

The six new electees will join the 241 existing members of the Hall, which was established in 1970.

"We're so proud to see Tony Joe White memorialized in this year's class," said Rich Hallworth, chair of the organization's board of directors. "As demonstrated by classics such as 'Polk Salad Annie' and 'Rainy Night In Georgia,' Tony Joe's enduring work as a songwriter/artist is outstanding, unforgettable and incredibly deserving of our ultimate recognition."

The Louisiana native initially gained popularity in France before 1969's "Polk Salad Annie" made him an American star. Throughout the early '70s, Whit was the songwriter/artist behind songs such as "Roosevelt And Ira Lee," "Willie And Laura Mae Jones," "Take Time To Love" and "Rainy Night In Georgia," which has been recorded by a multitude of artists from Brook Benton to Hank Williams Jr. Other artists who have hit with White's songs include Elvis Presley with "I've Got A Thing About You Baby" and "For Ol' Times Sake," Tina Turner with "Steamy Windows" and "On Silent Wings," Ray Charles with "3/4 Time" and John Anderson with "Mississippi Moon."

White was the subject of two 1998 documentary films in Europe, and his 2004 comeback CD was nominated for an Americana Music Association award.