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The Ink Spots were an American vocal jazz group who gained international fame in the 1930s and 1940s. Since the Ink Spots disbanded in 1954, there have been well over 100 vocal groups calling themselves "The Ink Spots" without any right to the name, and without any original members of the group.

Charlie Fuqua's main contribution to the Ink Spots was his guitar playing including his simple but popular guitar introductions. Although he sang solo on a few early recordings, Charlie increasingly just hummed and played his guitar.

In 1952, Fuqua left the original Ink Spots led by Kenny to form his own Ink Spots group. Fuqua recorded dozens of singles with his group for King Records as well as releasing two LP (long play) albums for Verve Records.

Jimmy Holmes was born in Virginia on December 12th 1921. He had two brothers. Holmes attended West Philadelphia high school and at various times throughout his career studied opera at institutions such as LaScala in Milan, Oakland Conservatory, and Oberlin. From the late 40's until 1952 Holmes sang in nightclubs in the northeast. His first booking was at Ciro's in Philadelphia. In 1952 he cut an acetate record that was given to a friend of Holmes who was on his way to NY. In NY Holmes friend gave the acetate to Charlie Fuqua who was starting up a new Ink Spots group.

Fuqua liked what he heard and hired Holmes for the role of lead tenor with the quartet. Holmes stayed with "Charlie Fuqua's New Ink Spots" until 1957. He then began again singing in nightclubs and lounges in Miami Beach, Chicago, New York and many other cities up and down the east coast as "The Ink Spots featuring Jimmy Holmes". He soon dropped the name Ink Spots and toured as "Jimmy Holmes & His Quartet". Shortly after that Holmes began touring with a trio lead by Jazz Pianist Jimmy Jones.

In 1963 Fuqua's group also recorded one 45 RPM record for Ford Records. Fuqua led and was a member of various vocal groups calling themselves "The Ink Spots" until his death in 1971.