[2][5] He began recording in 1946, and in 1948 achieved two number one R&B chart hits on the Miracle label – "Long Gone (Parts I and II)" and "Late Freight", both featuring saxophonist Eddie Chamblee.
[2] By 1952 he had moved on to King Records, where he worked in A&R and as a session musician and arranger.
[7] At King, he had further R&B Top 10 successes with the singer Lula Reed, the biggest hit being "I'll Drown in My Tears".
He continued to work as a session musician, and to perform with Reed into the early 1960s.
He also had success as a songwriter, often co-writing with blues guitarist, Freddie King.