Vance Terry earned most of his reputation as Billy Jack Wills' steel guitarist in the 1950s. A disciple of Herb Remington, Noel Boggs, and Speedy West, the teenaged Terry was hired after Wills' original steel guitarist, Tommy Varner, was drafted in 1951. Terry quickly established himself as a formidable talent, adding the final kick to the band's audacious, RB-inflected sound. He remained with the group, broadcasting over Sacramento's KFBK radio until 1954 when he was hired by Bob Wills. After a few sessions for MGM, however, Terry left for college. He never again pursued a serious music career, although he gained a sizeable second half of his reputation playing with Jimmie Rivers the Cherokees from 1961-1964. His recorded legacy may be a minor one, but Terry continues to enjoy cult status among rockabilly and Western swing enthusiasts as one of the finest steel guitarists ever. ~ Jim Smith, Rovi