Happy provided vocals, songwriting and various instruments to Afghan Whigs releases Gentlemen (1993) and Black Love (1996).
On Greg Dulli's 2005 solo album Amber Headlights, Happy provided drums to the song "So Tight."
Happy met bassist Jim Rico at Ohio University; they started Howlin' Maggie in January 1994.
Chichester recruited guitarist Lance Ellison, former Royal Crescent Mob drummer Carlton Smith, and bassist Christian Hurd.
Proceeds for the show was to benefit a children's charities and memorial fund established after the passing of a local DJ, CD101's Andy "Andyman" Davis.
In 2002 Shawn Smith invited Happy to support his band Brad on their national tour and open all the shows.
A performance at the Aladdin Theater in Portland, Oregon, on March 28, 2003 (which was recorded for the price of a pint of beer) became an underground hit.