28. The Wilburn Brothers

Doyle and Teddy Wilburn were brothers who started with music early and had a big impact on the genre. In 1937 at the ages of 6 & 7, Doyle and Teddy were out on a street corner with their 3 siblings, playing instruments and singing. Their father had gotten all five children instruments, hoping their sibling act could get more money for their struggling family. It worked, allowing them various radio spots, tv shows, and a six-month contract with the Grand Ole Opry. By 1951, both Teddy and Doyle were drafted to the Korean conflict. Upon returning they realized their three siblings had all retired from touring, so the two of them continued as a duo called the Wilburn Brothers. From there they got a recording contract with Decca. This led to 30 charting hits for them, their own tv series for 11 years and their own music publishing house. Between the series and the publishing house, they helped launch careers for Sonny James (inducted 2006), Jean Shepard (inducted 2011) and Loretta Lynn (inducted 1988), and gave early exposure to the Oak Ridge Boys (inducted 2015), Tammy Wynette (inducted 1998) and Barbara Mandrell (inducted 2009). With all six of these acts already in the Hall Of Fame, will the Wilburns time come soon?