maphis' recording career took off in 1951 when he was invited to los angeles by merle travis and country music entertainer johnny bond. he made two lps with travis, recorded for countless country and pop stars and worked on many themes for television programs and movie soundtracks. maphis recorded for columbia records and other labels. later based in bakersfield, california, he rose to prominence with his own hits such as "dim lights, thick smoke (and loud, loud music)" as well as playing with acts like johnny burnette, doyle holly, the collins kids, wanda jackson, rose maddox and ricky nelson. "dim lights" has become a honky-tonk standard with numerous artists recording versions of the tune including flatt and scruggs, vern gosdin, daryle singletary and dwight yoakam.