Dogtooth Violet collection

In 1973, Pam Grimes was playing at Sand Mountain Coffee House. Bob Oldreive approached her about joining a nascent band with his friend Bill Bertinot. Soon after the band became larger adding Joe Lindley, Richard "RJ" Jacob, and Marty Smith. The band christened themselves Dogtooth Violet and made a name for themselves playing a version of "country-rock" that was popular in the mid-1970s.

The band's lineup played a variety of instruments: Joe Lindley - fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar, vocals; Bob Oldreive - vocals, rhythm guitar; Bill Bertinot - lead guitar, steel guitar, dobro; Pam Grimes - vocals, washboard, guitar; Richard "RJ" Jacob - drums, vocals; Marty Smith - bass. Bob Oldreive, Pam Grimes, and Bill Bertinot wrote original music.

The band went their separate ways in 1976 with three of the members creating the band Paradise.

Since the 1980s, Dogtooth Violet has reunited to play shows in Houston at venues like Rockefeller's, Fitzgerald's, Anderson Fair Retail Restaurant, and most recently Warehouse Live. Marty Smith joined the band for most of the reunions, but passed in 2003.