Born near Grundy, Virginia, he got his start performing on radio and TV at WHIS in Bluefield. His first big hit, "Borrowed Angel," came out in 1972. After moving to Nashville, he had 22 more hits, including "Lovin' On Back Streets," "Smokey Mountain Memories," and "If I Had a Cheating Heart."

The pressure of his career affected him deeply. He sadly died by suicide on his 43rd birthday.