Who's Who of the DHB
Jimmie Davis - Founder
Bass Guitar and Vocalist (occasional acoustic guitar)
Hello, my name is Jimmie Davis. I was born and raised on Classic Country music. As a young child I watched my Dad, aunts, and uncles play music at family gatherings, square dances, barn dances, and local special events. Music was a large part of my life. I started singing when I was 6, and learned basic cords on the guitar by the age of 12. Around that time, I would try to fill in for my Aunt Sarah on the bass when she had trouble due to arthritis. My father became my music teacher.
For some reason my interest in playing music started to slip away. It wasn't until the age of 17 that I wanted my dad to teach me more. I would fill in with my Dad's band when needed. When his band stopped playing, due to members being called home to the Lord, I decided to start my own band. The band included my father, Jim Davis, until he went home to the Lord on May 24th, 2019.
The greatest time of my life was playing music with my father and learning everything I possibly could from my Idol. Now the goal is to carry on his legacy. This is always a challenge, but I refuse to fail. I don't play music for money or to become famous, it is all about putting a smile on someone's face when they hear us play. To me that is what live music is all about.
Ron Sprowls Jr.-Co-Founder
Lead Guitar, Vocalist, and Songwriter
Hi Ya'll, my name is Ron Sprowls Jr. My inspiration to play music came from my Dad and Uncle. I grew up listening to them playing guitar, and I wanted to be just like them. My earliest memory of having a guitar is around the age of 4. I was sitting at their feet, beating on an old guitar. By the age of 6, I started picking up chords. I used to sit beside my dad in church, while we played gospel music for the congregation. Country and gospel music is what I grew up on.
We moved to Pleasant Grove when I was 8 years old, and that is when I met the Davis family. My Mom used to babysit Jimmie and Eddie Davis, who were as wild as the day is long. As a teenager, I used to go down to the Davis house and jam with Jimmie's Dad, Jim Davis. Jimmie and I started jamming together when we were really young and it eventually led up to the Drunken Hillbillies.
In 2019, tragedy hit, and it was not God's will to take me yet. My wife, my family, and my love of playing music are what helped get me through those dark times. Music is an inspiration to me. I love to see people having a good time. It feels good knowing that they are having fun listening to the Drunken Hillbillies.
Eddie Davis
Drums and Vocalist
Hi, my name is Eddie Davis. Like Jimmie, my inspiration for music came from my family. My Dad, Jim Davis, always played music, and we always joined in singing. The best times were when my Dad let me sing with his band.
Watching my Dad show Jimmie how to play guitar, made me want to learn. I started strumming on the guitar at around 10 years old, but I always had trouble with the chords. I would get frustrated and I started thinking that maybe the guitar wasn't the instrument for me.
Jimmie had a set of drums in the basement, but he never played them. He was always busy on the guitar. Around 15 years old, I decided to start pounding on the drums. My parents said that the drums were a good instrument for me. Since I could never sit still, playing the drums got rid of all of my extra energy.
Music is the best stress relieving medicine. When I play the drums and sing, I can feel all of my stress melting away. The best part about playing music is making people happy. When people are smiling and happy, they are not feeling any stress, and time without stress is healthy for everyone.
Tom Duranko
Rhythm Guitar, Mandolin, Vocalist
How you doin'? My name is Tom Duranko. I have been playing guitar since I was 12 years old. I started playing because of my Dad. My Dad wanted me to be able to play the guitar, so he made me go to lessons every Saturday.
I played in my first country band when I was 14 years old. The band played in bars with a guy named Stoney Reed, from Uniontown. At the age of 20, I moved to upstate New York. During that time, I played with different musical groups at small venues.
When I moved back to PA, I played in a band called Not Too Old to Rock. They were an old school rock band with some southern rock thrown in. For a time after that, I went solo and played in wineries and local small venues. I joined up with a Karaoke singer and guitar player named Larry Strawn. He told me about a group of guys looking for a rhythm guitar player. Those guys were the Drunken Hillbillies. They were a good group of guys, but they were still playing in the barn. Using my past experience, I helped get the guys going with live gigs. I brought my personal experience with electronic mixing, and the use of modern day equipment.
I play music because it is all about entertaining others. If you can get people up dancing and having a good time, that is what entertainment is all about.