Lester Wilburn was the oldest of five children--Lester (1924-1990), Leslie (1926-2005), Geraldine (1927-2011), Doyle (1930-1982), and Teddy (1931-2003)--born in Hardy, Arkansas, to Benjamin and Katie Wilburn. Taught to play musical instruments by their parents, the siblings first appeared in an act called The Wilburn Children in 1937. They began to perform at radio stations, school auditoriums, churches and small theaters throughout the South for six months a year. The other six months, they were back home in Hardy in school. Roy Acuff was so impressed when he heard them sing that he brought them to WSM's Grand Ole Opry in 1940. The five were Opry performers on a regular basis for about six months, but were forced to stop due to federal child labor laws. They returned to touring on their own, but sister Geraldine eventually retired from performing and the act became known as The Wilburn Brothers. Brother Leslie was drafted during World War II, but Lester, Doyle, and Teddy continued as a trio until Leslie's return. The Wilburn Brothers were regulars on Shreveport's "Louisiana Hayride" from 1948 until 1951. Then Doyle was drafted during the Korean Conflict, and just as his stint was ending Teddy, too, was drafted and spent time in Korea. Lester and Leslie took other jobs while their younger brothers were in the Army. Lester worked with Johnny and Jack, and later with Marty Robins. Doyle and Teddy returned to performing in 1953. They worked with both Webb Pierce and Faron Young before signing with Decca Records in 1954. Now permanently a duo, The Wilburn Brothers invited their older brothers Lester and Leslie to join them as sidemen, which they were until the late 1960s. The Wilburn Brothers went their separate ways professionally after that, but the four of them and their sister remained close as family.