The late 1950s and early 1960s Great Folk Revival produced more trios than perhaps any prior movement in American music. After the Kingston Trio scored with "Tom Dooley" in 1958, labels proved eager to sign similar acts, among them the Travelers Three. Singer-songwriter Pete Apo and twelve-string guitarist Charles Oyama asked collegiate friend Dick Shirley to join on bass, creating the unit. While studying at the University of Oregon the three quickly developed a loyal local following, which led Apo and Oyama to leave school and pursue music full-time. In 1962 the group cut its debut album for Elektra Records and appeared on the network folk program Hootenanny. By the mid-1960s changing tastes prompted the addition of drummer Michael Gene Botta, a move to Capital Records, and the release of their fourth album, New Sounds. Joe Lamanno replaced Shirley in 1964. Although Kingston Trio-style groups began to feel dated, the Travelers Three still enjoyed moderate success during their brief run, playing venues such as the Troubadour in L.A., the Gate of Horn in Chicago, and Harrah's in Reno.
