Nokie Edwards (born Nole Floyd Edwards), began playing a variety of string
instruments by the age of five including the steel guitar, banjo, mandolin, violin,
and the bass. His moved from Oklahoma to Puyallup, Washington. During his
late teen’s he began playing in numerous country bands in the area. In 1958
country singing artist Buck Owens relocated from California to Tacoma,
Washington as owner of radio station KAYE. Prior to the formation of The
Buckaroos with Don Rich, Nokie Edwards played guitar with Owens and the
new band he formed in the area and also in the house band on KTNT-TV in
the same building. This is where Edwards met Don Wilson and Bob Bogle,
founders of The Ventures. In 2008, Edwards was inducted into The Rock and
Roll Hall of Fame along with The Ventures.