After high school, he joined the Army and became a member of the Army Band. After his Army service, he played mostly jazz at nightclubs for $60 a week. He landed a recording contract with RCA in 1958. He was also a session player for many stars, including Elvis Presley (on "Return to Sender"), Roy Orbison (on "Oh, Pretty Woman"), Brenda Lee ("I'm Sorry" and "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"), Al Hirt ("Java"), and REO Speedwagon ("Little Queenie").