A Rhythm & Blues Vocal Group From Odessa That Featured Virgil Johnson.  Other Members Included:  Will Soloman, Mark Prince, Bob Thursby And Clarence Rigby.  After Graduating From College, In 1958, Virgil Took A Teaching Job In Odessa, Texas And During The Next Few Years Formed A Doo-Wop Group That Would Become Known As The Velvets.  They Got The Attention Of Roy Orbison Who Then Introduced Them To Fred Foster Of Monument Records.  Their Second Release (1961) On Monument "Tonight (Could Be The Night)" Charted #26 In The Billboard Top 100 Qualifying Them For The West Texas Music HOF "Honor Roll Of Vocalists"  A Follow-Up Release "Laugh" B/W "Lana" (Written By Orbison) Eased Into the Top 100.

Jesse Granderson Turner, The Dean Of The Grande Ole Opry Announcers, Was Born In Abilene, Texas Attending Hardin Simmons College.  Grant Turner's Easygoing Style Helped Convey The Show's Warm, Folksy Atmosphere To Millions Of Fans Around The World.  His Colorful Commercials For Opry Sponsors Became As Famous As His Introductions Of The Stars.  Turner Became Known As The Voice Of The Grande Ole Opry.  He Was Inducted Into The Country Music Hall Of Fame (As A Non-Performer) In 1981.