King of the Strings: The Joe Maphis Story

By Gregory H. Larry

This book tells the story of an original pioneer of country music, the virtuoso guitarist Joe Maphis. Maphis is considered the first flashy lead guitarist of country who combined blazing quick picking with a relaxed, cool demeanor on stage.
The book traces his life from his early days growing up in Cumberland, Maryland to performing live on WRVA Richmond, Virginia's "Old Dominion Barn Dance" as a musician, comedian and announcer during the golden age of radio. The book details Maphis' move to Los Angeles in 1951 where he appeared regularly on TV and became a studio musician playing on hundreds of records including TV and movie sound tracks.
As band leader on the weekly "Town Hall Party" show in Los Angeles in the 1950s, Maphis, a multi-instrumentalist, became known as "The King of the Strings." "If an instrument had a string on it ... then Joe Maphis could play it," Tex Ritter, the shows announcer, said.
Joe's career benefited greatly from the support of his beautiful wife, singer Rose Lee Maphis. After marrying in 1952, Rose performed by Joe's side for the rest of his life. During their rise to fame in the 1950s, the couple would become known as "Mr. & Mrs. Country Music."
The book offers an inside look at the development of country music through access to a collection of more than 300 letters and postcards shared between the Maphises and their friends and family from 1946 to Joe's death in 1986.
Learn the story behind "Dim Lights, Thick Smoke (And Loud, Loud Music)," the country and bluegrass classic written by Joe and Rose.
Read how Joe, in 1960, discovered an 11-year-old saxophonist and steel guitarist named Barbara Mandrell.
Follow the Maphises remarkable journey performing with the likes of Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Sunshine Sue Workman, Chet Atkins, Mother Maybelle and the Carter Family, Buck Owens, Merle Travis, Ray Price, Waylon Jennings, Conway Twitty, Connie Smith, Dolly Parton, Ernest Tubb, Ricky Nelson and many more.
The book features interviews and commentary from Barbara Mandrell, Tommy Emmanuel, Norm Hamlet, Marty Stuart, Deke Dickerson, John McFee of the Doobie Brothers, Brian Lonbeck, Jody Maphis, Zen Crook, Eddie Pennington and much more.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0F1C46Y2V
• ISBN13: 9798350988901
• Release Date: May 2025
• Publisher: Bookbaby
• Length: 292 Pages