Born in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, Wright first performed with Anglin in 1936. In 1937, he married Kitty Wells. The two, along with Wright’s sister Louise, performed as Johnnie Wright & the Harmony Girls. In 1939, Wright and Anglin formed the duo Johnnie & Jack. They teamed up full-time in the 1940s and, except for the time Anglin spent overseas during World War II, remained together for more than two decades. In 1952, Johnnie & Jack’s "Poison Love" took them to the Grand Ole Opry, where the duo, along with Wells, were invited to join and where they remained for 15 years. Following Anglin's death in an automobile accident in 1963, Wright continued performing and releasing records. After his name was misspelled on a record label, Wright changed his name from Johnnie to Johnny. Johnnie Wright was a founding member of the Country Music Association and turned down the offer to be its first president. He was also involved in the effort to build the Country Music Hall of Fame. Although, Wright has not yet been inducted into the Hall of Fame. In 1964, he and his Tennessee Mountain Boys had a Top 25 hit with "Walkin', Talkin', Cryin', Barely Beatin' Broken Heart." The following year, he had success with "Hello Vietnam", a No. 1 hit. In 1968, he and Wells recorded an autobiographical duet, "We'll Stick Together", and continued playing live shows together through 2007.
and Johnnie Wright were married on October 30, 1937. Together they had three children, Ruby, Bobby., and Carol Sue. Each of their children enjoyed minor success individually as recording artists— Ruby, with a hit called "Dern 'Ya," an "answer song" to Roger Miller's "Dang Me"; and Bobby, with a series of country-pop hits in the early to mid-1970s, including "Seasons in the Sun". Carol Sue, on a mid-1950s duet with Wells titled "How Far is Heaven". Carol Sue and Ruby also had success with a pop hit as The Wright Sisters with "That's Ok" in the early 1960's. All three children performed as part of their parents' road show, while growing up. Johnnie Wright died at his home of natural causes in Madison, Tennessee on September 27, 2011, exactly two years after older daughter Ruby's death; and 33 days short of his 74th wedding anniversary with Wells. Wright had been in failing health for some time. He was survived by his wife of 73 years and their 2 surviving children Bobby and Carol Sue, plus 8 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. Wright's widow Kitty Wells followed him in death less than ten months later on July 16, 2012.
