He backed other musicians such as Dee Clark, Little Willie John, Sam Cooke, James Brown, Jackie Wilson, and Joe Tex.

[5] He played on Big Walter Price's "Pack Fair and Square" and Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown's "Dirty Work at the Crossroads," before joining Little Richard's fledgling backing band, the Upsetters, as its leader in 1955.

They toured with Dee Clark, Little Willie John, James Brown, Jackie Wilson, and Joe Tex.

As of January 2013, he continued to perform with the Texas Upsetters for private parties and wedding receptions and for public events, such as the Big Easy Social & Pleasure Club in Houston's Rice Village neighborhood.

[8] Gaines' brother Roy went on to play guitar on Bobby Bland's 1955 hit single "It's My Life Baby".