Whitey and Hogan grew up in
Rutherfordton and in
Andrews, North Carolina, respectively. They met for the first time in 1935 when they were both employed at the Firestone Cotton Mill in
Gastonia, North Carolina. They began performing together as a duo, Whitey played the guitar and Hogan played the mandolin. Sponsored by the Efird's Department Store, Whitey and Hogan received a radio spot at WGNC radio in Gastonia in 1939. They also appeared on the Rustin Radio Show in Gastonia, the show was sponsored by Rustin Furniture. In 1939, they recorded sixteen sides at their first session for
Decca Records, before moving to the Sonora and Deluxe labels. When Whitey and Hogan was asked to join the
Grand Ole Opry they declined since the Opry required them to work on Saturdays and they didn't want to stay away from their families. Whitey and Hogan existed as a duo between 1935 and 2001. In 2003, Whitey and Hogan, along with Don White, as the only surviving former members of the Briarhoppers received the North Carolina Arts Council Folk Heritage Award. ==Discography==