Drummer and percussionist Chuck Blackwell began playing drums in Tulsa bars at the age of 13, carrying a permission note from his father since he was under-age. He played early shows with other Tulsa Sound musicians like Leon Russell and David Gates and eventually became the house drummer for the TV show Shindig. He played drums for the Everly Brothers, Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis, and recorded with Taj Mahal, Freddie King and Leon Russell.