he moved to los angeles with an ensemble in the early 1960s, but his band failed and he returned to west virginia. later in the 1960s he moved to new york city. he played the uptown east side local bar's (malachy's ii) and eventually found success. he released his debut album on warner bros. records in 1970. he scored two minor hit singles in the early 1970s. further releases followed later in the decade, as did a third hit in 1980.