Wake Forest, North Carolina native Phil Lee perfected his Ernest T. impersonation while passing the time during the drive to work (in the days before plug-in CD players). He's now become a Mayberry fan favorite for his dead-on impression of Howard Morris' legendary character.

Although shy growing up, Phil first performed as Ernest T. Bass around 1988 dressed in "full suit and tie" at a colleague's retirement dinner. Phil was "scared to death," but when the folks laughed, he started to enjoy it. He then began collecting "pieces of the outfit" from flea markets and thrift stores. In addition to various Mayberry Days and other events throughout the country, Phil routinely performs at "Mayberry Night with the Carolina Mudcats (a minor league baseball team.)

Phil's family includes wife Audrey and daughters Cameron and Meredith, ages 6 and 4 respectively.

Phil's favorite three episodes of The Andy Griffith Show are "The Pickle Story," "Convicts at Large," and "Mountain Wedding." For Phil, the highlight of performing as Ernest T. Bass is simply meeting the wonderful, down-to-earth folks who like the show. His favorite line from the show is (Barney Fife): "Some want it, can't get it. I've got it, can't get rid of it."