Like most singers, Vernon Garretts roots began in the church singing Gospel music. He later became lead vocalist for the gospel quartet, the renowned "Swan Silvertones". After serving in the United States Navy, Vernon relocated to the entertainment capital of the world, Los Angeles, California where he began his entertainment career as a very talented singer and percussionist.

In the 1960s, Vernon and his wife Jewel Whitaker enjoyed a successful singing career as a duet known as "Vernon and Jewel" , After the untimely death of Jewel, Vernon continued his singing career, solo, and recorded several 45s and even two 33 1/3 albums between the late 1960s and late 1970s.