in st. louis, he met and came under the influence of the singer willie mae ford smith, and adopted much of her phrasing and performing style. he began singing at thomas a. dorsey's national conventions of gospel choirs and choruses, directed by smith, and after a performance in los angeles in 1949 was signed by talent scout j. w. alexander to specialty records. his first record, "search me lord", became a gospel hit, and was estimated to have sold over one million copies though without reaching any of the published record charts of the day. his follow-up record, "do you know him?" in 1950, was equally successful, and may became a full-time musician, touring nationally with gospel groups such as the soul stirrers and the pilgrim travelers. he also sang duets with willie mae ford smith, and usually performed in a distinctive long white robe with a rope cross.