Early life Maphis was born in
Suffolk, Virginia, United States. 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. He played on
Ricky Nelson's first
Imperial Records hits "
Stood Up (song)", "Waitin In School", and "
Be-Bop Baby before
James Burton assumed lead guitar duties. Maphis was a band member and featured soloist on the
Town Hall Party radio (and later television) program broadcast throughout the 1950s. Emanating from the Los Angeles area, Maphis was a regular on the program which included many recording stars of the day including
Tex Ritter,
Johnny Cash,
Gene Autry,
Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys and many others. "Town Hall Party," was later syndicated under the name "Ranch Party," and seen in most parts of the country. He was also a regular guest on the
Jimmy Dean television show in the 1960s. The duo performed on the PBS television broadcast "Austin City Limits," in 1984 as part of the programs, "Legends Series." Fellow music industry insiders and fans had begun calling them "Mr. and Mrs. Country Music."
Death Maphis was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1985. He died in Nashville, Tennessee, on June 27, 1986. His guitar hero was
Mother Maybelle Carter, matriarch of the Carter Family. Maybelle's daughter
June Carter Cash and June's husband
Johnny Cash so admired Maphis that he was laid to rest in the Cash and Carter family
Hendersonville, Tennessee, burial plot next to Maybelle, her husband, Ezra Carter, and her daughter,
Anita Carter. ==Maphis family==