Early Life
Joe Tex was born Joseph Arrington, Jr. in Rogers, Texas to Cherie Sue (née Jackson) and Joseph Arrington. After Tex's parents divorced, his mother moved him and his sister Mary to Baytown, Texas. In high school, Tex played baritone saxophone in his high school band and also sang for a local Pentecostal church choir. Tex entered a number of talent shows and after an important win in Houston, the 18-year-old won $300 and a trip to New York City. While in New York, Tex took part in the amateur portion of the Apollo Theater, winning first place four times, leading to his discovery by A&R man Henry Glover, who offered to give him a contract with King Records. Due to his mother's strong convictions that he should finish high school first, Glover waited a year before Tex signed with the label at the age of 19.
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