As a teenager, he was sent to Pikeville Reformatory School, but was discovered by Nashville music promoter Ted Jarrett, who later claimed that he managed to secure Birdsong's release from probation by signing him to a recording contract for Excello Records.
Although Allison found some success, Birdsong's records for Vee-Jay failed to sell.
Several of his recording sessions took place at Cosimo Matassa's studio in New Orleans, with musicians including Lee Allen and Red Tyler.
He has been described as "a very versatile singer, who recorded blues, doowop, jazz, gospel, rock n roll, smooth crooning and soul.
However, commercial success still eluded him, and he did not record again until signing for the Sur-Sound label owned by Red Wortham in 1966.