The eldest son of country music legend Ernest Tubb, Justin toured with his father and made his Grand Ole Opry debut at the age of nine. In 1953 he wrote a tribute song to Hank Williams that was recorded by the senior Tubbs. He signed with Decca Records the following year and gained his first U.S. country chart hit with "Looking Back to See." As Ernest’s health worsened, Justin balanced a music career with assisting his father with business ventures, later becoming manager of the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree radio show. Many of his songs became hits for others, including "Keeping up with the Joneses" and "Lonesome 7-7203." He continued making Opry appearances until his death in 1998.