[1] His mother and her family were highly musical: She was a harpist, and six of his uncles played in symphony orchestras.

[1] He first studied organ with Charles Henry Galloway, who was considered the "dean of St. Louis organists.

[1] He began to play organ for various radio shows, which included The Cresta Blanca Hollywood Players, House party, The Life of Riley, Mayor of the Town, Michael Shayne, Private Detective and The Passing Parade.

[1] He formed a partnership with pianist Eugene LePique, creating a duo-piano show that also featured vocalists.

[1] With his mother, who had become a successful real-estate agent in California, he formed a property development company that built apartments in North Hollywood.

[1] He met his second wife Elaine while travelling by train from Chicago to Los Angeles on the Chief.

[1] Maffie retired as a musician in 1951 to operate a property management company for his family's real estate holdings.

[1][3] He moved to Palm Springs, California, when his mother died[1] and he was soon asked to be organist for his church there.