Jackie King

Jazz guitarist Jackie King was born in Texas; the son of a musician, he learned to play the mandolin at age eight, switching to six-string a year later. Initially inspired by country music, he later absorbed the jazz influences of guitar greats like Django Reinhardt and Charlie Christian, and at age 12, began performing professionally. Befriended by the likes of Willie Nelson and Doug Sahm, King also backed visiting acts including Big Joe Turner, George Jones, and Roger Miller before touring the nation as a member of the Billy Gray Band. During the late '60s, he relocated to S...