Conversation so far:
What were some of Joe Tex's early recordings?
Labelmate Little Willie John had a hit with Fever, which inspired Joe Tex to write the first of his answer songs, Pneumonia
Who was Joe Tex signed with at the time?
Joe Tex recorded for King Records between 1955 and 1957 with little success.

Question: Did he write his own music or did he sing other's songs?
Self-contained rewrite: Did Joe Tex write his own music or did he sing other's songs?