Editing Joe Tex (section)

==Early life==
Joe Tex was born Joseph Arrington, Jr. in [[Rogers, Texas]], in [[Bell County, Texas|Bell County]] to Joseph Arrington and Cherie Sue (Jackson) Arrington.<ref name="joetexworld"/> He and his sister Mary Sue were initially raised by their grandmother, Mary Richardson. After their parents divorced, Cheri Arrington moved to [[Baytown, Texas|Baytown]].<ref name="The Book of Golden Discs"/> Tex played [[baritone saxophone]] in the high-school band and sang in a local [[Pentecostal]] church choir. He entered several talent shows, and after an important win in [[Houston]], he won $300 and a trip to New York City.<ref name="joetexworld"/> Joe Tex took part in the amateur portion of the [[Apollo Theater]], winning first place four times, which led to his discovery by [[Henry Glover]], who offered him a contract with [[King Records (United States)|King Records]]. His mother's wish was that he graduate from high school first, and Glover agreed to wait a year before signing him at age 19.<ref name="joetexworld"/>