Biography

Although they worked mainly as backup singers for Elvis Presley, they also worked on many recordings by Ricky Nelson, but Presley requested that they not be permitted credit on any of them.

At one time Elvis Presley's backup singers.

Elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001: Bill Matthews (b. LaFollette, TN; 1923), his brother Monty (b. Pulaski, KY; 1927), Culley Holt (b. McAlester, OK; 1925-80), Bob Hubbard (b. Chaffee, MO; 1928), Gordon Stoker (b. Gleason, TN, 1924), Neal Matthews Jr. (no relation to Bill and Monty; b. Nashville, TN; 1929-2000), Hoyt Hawkins (b. Paducah, KY; 1927-82), Hugh Jarrett (b. Nashville, TN; 1929), and Ray Walker (b. Centerville, MS; 1934).

Along with Floyd Cramer and guitarist Hank Garland recorded the two hit singles, "I've Got the Blues" and "Why Must You Leave Me," with rockabilly pioneer Vernon Taylor.

They were the in-demand backup singers in Nashville from 1956-75 and beyond--so much so that they were unable to back up Elvis Presley in his Las Vegas shows because their schedules for studio sessions were booked so far ahead. They were on many hit country, as well as pop and rock records throughout the late 1950s and 60s, averaging more than 300 recording sessions per year.