Carol Kaye was not only a pioneer in the male-dominated world of pop recording sessions, but she also broke down musical barriers, playing on a multitude of records and TV and movie scoring dates of almost every kind. The West Coast-based freelance musician reportedly played on over 10,000 recording sessions, and her mind-boggling long discography would seem to bare that out. Born in Everett, WA, Kaye's parents, Clyde and Dot Smith, were professional musicians. In 1949, she began playing bebop jazz guitar in bands in dozens of nightclubs around Los Angeles while giving guitar lessons. She shared the bandstand with Jack Sheldon, Teddy Edwards, Billy Higgins, and Bob Neal. By chance in 1957, Kaye got into studio work, playing guitar on Sam Cooke's "Summertime" and "What a Wonderful World," among others.