Tracing the origins of the Four Ink Spots, one of the most distinctive of all vocal groups, is rather like compiling a family tree. It goes back to the early 1920s when dancer Orville 'Hoppy' Jones teamed up with 'Miff' Campbell to play in small time vaudeville. Joined in 1928 by Leonard Reed, they became The Peanut Boys. Elsewhere, Ivory 'Deacon' ( better known as 'Deek') Watson was playing in a 'coffee pot' band known as the Percolating Puppies whose members, in addition to playing stringed instruments, would also use various sized tea and coffee pots as echo chambers for kazoos, thus emulating the sound of a larger band. When Reed left Jones and Campbell, Watson was recruited to take his place and with the addition of a fourth member, 'Slim' Green, became the Four Riff Brothers who performed together well into 1931 when Watson and Green left to pursue solo careers. In the meantime Charlie Fuqua, originally with the Patent Leather Kids, teamed with Jerry Daniels and Bernie Mackey to play in an un-named coffee pot band. Also available: JASMCD2546 - We Four - The Best Of The Ink Spots JASMCD2562 - More Memories From We Four

1939 proved to be a good year for Bill Kenny, 'Hoppy' Jones, Charlie Fuqua and 'Deek' Watson. It was the year in which they finally had a hit record with the song "If I Didn't Care". Had this record not brought them the success they so desperately sought, we might never had heard any more of The Ink Spots. They were on the verge of disbanding. See Also: JASBOX6-4 - The Golden Age Of The Ink Spots: The Best Of Everything - 101 Classic Original Recordings JASMCD2562 - More Memories From We Four