b. 30 March 1942, Charleston, West Virginia, USA. The son of Kitty Wells and Johnnie Wright, he appeared with his parents on The Louisiana Hayride at the age of eight, and three years later made his first recordings. After the family relocated to Nashville, he learned to play guitar but initially he had more interest in sports and drama. In 1962, he went to California and successfully auditioned for the role of a young guitar-playing southern boy in a proposed drama. The show did not materialize, but his performance won him the role of Willie the radio operator in a new comedy television series calledMcHale’s Navy. He stayed as a regular until the series ended in 1966. He recorded for Decca Records (the same label as his parent’s) and in 1967, he gained his first US country chart hit with ‘Lay Some Happiness On Me’. A few more minor hits followed and after further acting roles, his dislike of Hollywood saw him return to Nashville, where he began to appear with his parents. He had by this time also learned to play bass, trumpet and drums and he soon became an important part of the family show. In the early 70s, he appeared on their syndicated television series and toured extensively with them. Over the years, he has also been a popular artist on other syndicated television shows. In 1971, he had a Top 15 country hit with ‘Here I Go Again’. He recorded country cover versions of some pop hits and in 1974, he had Top 30 country success with his ABC recording of Terry Jacks’ pop number 1, ‘Seasons In The Sun’. He later recorded for United Artists, registering his last solo success, ‘I’m Turning You Loose’, on that label in 1979. He appeared in the UK with his parents at the 1974 Wembley Festival and received praise for his performance with the family at the 1988 Peterborough Festival. A talented all-round entertainer, he continues to be an important part of the family show and has not made any further attempts to pursue a solo career.