Virginian brothers Jim and Jesse McReynolds became one of the greatest bluegrass acts when they began working under the name Jim & Jesse. They started recording in the early '50s, inspired by great bluegrass brother duos such as the Stanley Brothers. Backed by their band, the Virginia Boys, Jim & Jesse scored a string of country hits in the '50s, but they continued performing long after their hitmaking era ended. Their career finally came to a close when Jim died in 2002, and Jesse continued on as a solo artist.