Tucker established his first band in St. Louis in the early 1930's. The band's theme song was 'Drifting and dreaming". Tucker had recording contracts with Vocalion and Columbia. His key featured vocalist was Bonnie Baker, whose success with the band overshadowed Tucker's own. Following her departure, Tucker never again permitted another singer to attain a similarly high profile. By the same token, the band never achieved the same measure of popularity.