Joe Maphis

by David VinopalJoe and Rose Maphis were a popular husband-and-wife act in the late 40s and early 50s, singing traditional material backed by the amazing instrumental talent of Joe, who played everything with strings on it, especially the twin-neck guitar. The honky-tonk anthem Dim Lights, Thick Smoke (And Loud, Loud Music) was their big hit. Until his death in 1986, Joe was a sessions instrumentalist, backing such stars as Rick Nelson, Tex Ritter, and Wanda Jackson.