Howard began his career with his sisters Gussie Mae and Stella performing Southern gospel in the 1940s.
Bass singer Bill Huie was with the group for awhile in the 1950s as was drummer Jake Hand and accordionist Harold Patrick.
Howard’s niece LaBreeska, daughter of Gussie Mae, sang with the group prior to her marriage to Joel Hemphill.
By the early 60s Sam, Rusty, and Bobby and their families had settled in Madisonville and the group began to sing more regularly eventually gaining notoriety.
Howard was hospitalized for seven months as a result of various complications following a knee surgery, He was undergoing therapy and rehabilitation when he developed pneumonia a week prior to his death.