Editing The Ink Spots (section)

===Early background of founding members===
Daniels and Fuqua formed a vocal duo called "Jerry and Charlie", and performed in the Indianapolis area around 1931. About the same time, Jones and Watson were part of a quartet, "The Four Riff Brothers", who appeared regularly on radio station [[WLW]] in [[Cincinnati]], [[Ohio]]. In 1933, that group disbanded, and Watson, Daniels and Fuqua got together to form a new vocal, instrumental and comedy group, initially called "King, Jack, and Jester". They continued to appear regularly on radio in Ohio, and became a quartet when Jones joined the following year.

In July 1934, they accepted a booking at the [[Apollo Theater]], New York, supporting jazz bandleader [[Tiny Bradshaw]]. At this point they had changed their name to "The 4 Ink Spots". Later that year, the Ink Spots achieved international success touring the UK with [[Jack Hylton]]'s Orchestra, one review in the ''[[Melody Maker]]'' stating:
{{cquote|The sensation of the programme is the coloured quartette, the Four Ink Spots. They sing in a style something between the [[Mills Brothers]] and the Three Keys and accompany themselves on three tenor guitars and a cello&nbsp;— which is not bowed, but picked and slapped like a double bass. Their natural instinct for hot rhythm is exemplified in their terrific single-string solo work and their beautifully balanced and exquisitely phrased vocalisms. They exploit all kinds of rhythmic vocalisms&nbsp;— straight solos, concerted, [[Scat singing|scat]], and instrumental imitations. They even throw in a bit of dancing to conclude their act, and the leading guitarist simultaneously plays and juggles with his instrument.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://inkspots.ca/ACTIVITIES-34-40.htm |title=Original Ink Spots Activities By Date – Vol |publisher=Inkspots.ca |date=1936-11-06 |access-date=2012-04-13}}</ref>}}

They first recorded for [[Victor Records]] in 1935. Their early recordings included such songs as "Swingin' on the Strings", "Your Feet's Too Big", "Don't 'Low No Swingin' in Here" and "Swing, Gate, Swing". Despite their rising popularity as performers, their early records were not commercially successful.