Jimmy Hughes singing career started when he was a preteen singing in his hometown church choir. He remained singing gospel music until 27 where he started singing secular music. Hughes signed with Fame Records but had no luck with Fame's songs. He wrote what would be a mega hit, "Steal Away" in 1964 that made him a household name. Hughes had other hits and also recorded for other recording companies but by the mid 1970s, Hughes retire from recording and preforming.