Musician. He grew up in Memphis playing jazz and dance band music before joining Sun Records in 1957 as musical director. That same year he hit the charts with a tune that was co-written with Sid Manker called "Backwoods." After reading a teen magazine and picking up on some of the new slang Justis renamed the song "Raunchy." The tune became a million selling record and is considered one of the first instrumental hits of the rock and roll era. His later years were spent between Los Angeles and Nashville arranging songs for artists such as "The Dixiebelles" and "Kenny Rogers."
Musician. He grew up in Memphis playing jazz and dance band music before joining Sun Records in 1957 as musical director. That same year he hit the charts with a tune that was co-written with Sid Manker called "Backwoods." After reading a teen magazine and picking up on some of the new slang Justis renamed the song "Raunchy." The tune became a million selling record and is considered one of the first instrumental hits of the rock and roll era. His later years were spent between Los Angeles and Nashville arranging songs for artists such as "The Dixiebelles" and "Kenny Rogers."
Bio by: Kim Inboden
Family Members
Advertisement
