Jerry Fuller was born in Texas to a musical family. He and his brother Bill performed as a duo in their home state, recording for the local Lin label, before he branched out on his own and began writing his own material. In 1959, he moved to Los Angeles and secured a performing contract with Challenge Records. His rockabilly version of "Tennessee Waltz" made No. 63 on the Billboard Hot 100, and earned him an invitation to appear on American Bandstand.