[1] They first attracted attention as child performers, beginning in 1937, in an act called The Wilburn Children;[3] Roy Acuff discovered them and brought them to the Grand Ole Opry in 1940.

[4] Due to federal child labor laws, the Wilburns were forced to leave the Opry after six months.

[9] In addition to being successful artists, the Wilburns formed the Sure-Fire Music Publishing Company (with Don Helms) in 1957,[10] as well as the Wil-Helm Talent Agency in the early 1960s.

[6] They were instrumental in launching the careers of many country musicians, most notably Loretta Lynn,[11] whom they signed to their music publishing company.

[1] Teddy continued with the Opry as a solo artist,[1] until his death on November 24, 2003, of congestive heart failure, just six days before his 72nd birthday.