Born in Jasper, Texas,[3] he was raised in Baytown near Houston, and began his career by singing gospel in a group that included Joe Tex.
[4] He joined up with other blues singers, Bobby "Blue" Bland and Junior Parker, before signing to Duke/Peacock Records in 1955 and agreeing to be credited as "Buddy Ace", a name previously used by the late Johnny Ace's brother, St. Clair Alexander.
[6] His other well-known tracks included "Root Doctor" and "Pouring Water on a Drowning Man".
[5] He billed himself "The Silver Fox of the Blues" after his hair turned white in his forties.
[4] Buddy Ace died of a heart attack aged 58, while performing in Waco, Texas, early on Christmas Day, 1994.