Originally from near Fayetteville, NC where they performed at churches and social functions in the early ‘50s. The brothers moved to Baltimore in 1953 in search of a career in music. Adopting the early sounds of rock and roll with their hillbilly roots they performed at many small local clubs. At a local Heart Fund benefit show they were heard by Carmel Quinn, a popular Irish vocalist, who arranged for the group to travel to New York for a two-week engagement. The Chavis Brothers established themselves at the famous Copa Cabana for two years.
With Baltimore as a home base brothers Danny, Earl, Frank, James, and Ernie performed locally as well as traveling throughout the U.S. and Canada. Their 1959 single “Love Me Baby” b/w “Hey Good Looking” was published by WITH radio personality Jack Gale and licensed to Big Top Records.
Through the early to mid-’60s they were frequently seen as the house band at the Spa Club and at Moe’s. When they returned from their road trips there would always be a welcome back shindig at one of the clubs. They were billed as the country’s greatest twist band by the Spa club in 1962. The group continued performing to a large local fan base firmly establishing themselves as one of Baltimore’s top country groups.
Danny Chavis, known for his Elvis tributes also performed as a solo act and did some recording on his own. The group also performed under the billing of Danny & the Chavis Brothers.
Other local clubs where they appeared included The Stardust, Embassy, Red Flame, Golden Horn, Park Lounge, Pumpkin Patch…
A 1978 Chavis Brothers “country nostalgia” lineup included Phil, Jim, Ernie, Earl, Hank.
James Chavis with The Straker Brothers in the 1960s.
Chavis Bros. Discography
1959 Big Top 3027 Love Me Baby / Hey Good Looking
1960 Clock 1025 So Tired / I love You
As The 5 Chavis Brothers:
1961 Coral 62270 Old Time Rock and Roll / Baby, Don’t Leave Me
1962 Headline 1015 Walk with Me Baby / The Ivory Twist
The Chavis Brothers:
1963(LP) How 410 Dedicated to You
1962 Parkway 851 Slippin’ An’ Slidin’ / Mountain Dew
1965 Ascot 2177 Torture Me / Humpty Dumpty
1975 Bay 968 Losin’ Man / I May Not Be Lovin’ You
As Danny Chavis & the Chavis Brothers:
197* Grape 711 Be Quite Mind / Breaking Point
197* Grape 712 Born to Love You / Til I Lose You All the Way
197* Grape 6522 Baby (I’m Still Loving You) / I’ll Never Know
