Hailing from Maryville, Tennessee,
Greene got his start in the record business as a vocalist in
Ernest Tubb's band, but he hardly had the same almost-on-key "twang" as his boss. In fact,
Greene's smooth, pleasant sound contrasted a great deal with
Tubb's blue-collar intonation. Nicknamed "the Jolly Green Giant,"
Greene learned guitar and drums but mined his vocal chords for a solid string of hit records from 1966-1969, including one with
Jeannie Seely, who joined his road show and recorded duets with him for several years.
A bit of trivia: In 1967,
Greene became the first country artist ever to appear in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. ~ Tom Roland, All Music Guide