At nineteen, Texas-born Ivory Joe Hunter made his first recording - on a 1933 Library of Congress cylinder. He honed his chops playing gigs around the Gulf Coast region, even hosting his own radio show for a time in Beaumont.

During the war years, Ivory Joe became a crowd-pleasing fixture on the California club circuit. His first commercial recording, "Blues at Sunrise" (with Johnny Moore's Three Blazers) was the first of several R&B chart-toppers between 1945 and 1949.

He churned out hits during the ‘50s: "Don't Fall in Love With Me," "What Did You Do to Me," "Waiting in Vain," “Guess Who,” "I Almost Lost My Mind," "I Need You So,” "It's a Sin,” “Since I Met You Baby,” "Empty Arms," "Love's a Hurting Game," and “City Lights.”

Ivory Joe’s lifelong love of Country Music manifested itself in the late 1960s and early ‘70s as he became a frequent guest on the Grand Old Opry. This album was recorded live at the Ryman Auditorium during his Opry performances in 1971 and 1972. The 14-track collection demonstrates Hunter’s mastery of his craft as a singer, songwriter, and musician. Fittingly, Ivory Joe is well served by the cream of Nashville musicians backing him, and it is obvious by the crowd reaction how much he had captured the hearts of Country Music fans.

Standout tracks include “Since I Met You Baby” “I Almost Lost My Mind,” and “I’ll Make It All Up To You.”