|
| |
The Doctors Of Honky
Tonk
-
- Jamie
French -
Steel Guitarist /
Lead & Harmony Vocals
-
 Jamie was
born in Amarillo, Texas and raised in the Ft. Worth area, where he still
makes his home. At a young age, as many musicians do he started developing
his musical talents in the church his family attended. Jamie’s parents were
musicians and singers and as a youngster his home was full of music.
Jamie began
playing six string guitars in his early teens and started publicly
performing, playing bass guitar in the church his family attended. During a
recording session Jamie met Gary Carpenter, a pro-steel guitarist from the
Ft. Worth / Dallas area. From the day Jamie worked that recording session he
wanted to play the pedal steel guitar.
Several years
after meeting Gary, Jamie contacted him and started taking steel guitar
lessons. Within about three months of his first steel guitar lesson Jamie
was playing steel guitar for a local band. For the next year or so he worked
all the hot country nightspots in the Fort Worth / Dallas area. At one time
or another he’s worked all the clubs in the Ft. Worth Stockyards and many
others like West End and Deep Elm in Dallas.
After about two
years into playing the steel guitar Jamie was able to go full time in the
music business. He went on the road with the band Stampede, playing the A
market club circuit from Tucson to Omaha and everywhere in between. Within
the first three years of learning and developing his steel playing ability
and style Jamie had the opportunity to work major shows, opening for label
artist such as Toby Keith, David Ball, Brooks & Dunn, The Bellamy Brothers
and David Allen Coe.
Now with many
years of playing experience behind him, Jamie enjoys scratching the musical
itch by booking out with other bands and working local venues in the North
and Central Texas areas. Jamie is the bands steel guitarist and also plays
rhythm guitar and provides the lead and harmony vocals on many of the songs
the band performs.
Jamie is a
founding member of Dr. Honky Tonk and as do the other members
of the band, there’s no doubt that Jamie’s style and ability contribute to
the distinct Honky Tonk sound of Dr. Honky Tonk.
- Gene Ruffin -
Bass
Guitarist / Lead & Harmony Vocals
-
Gene was born in Hugo,
Oklahoma and raised in Fort Worth Texas. Gene began developing his musical
talent at the age of eight years old. Like many youngsters noise is the desired
effect so Gene began playing the drums. Within about 4 years started playing the
guitar.
At the age of
seventeen Gene began playing publicly. Gene relates the story that he was the
least accomplished guitar player so the band moved him to playing the bass
guitar. He hasn’t changed instruments since.
Although Gene’s
influences were artist such as Merle Haggard, George Jones, Buck Owens, Bob
Wills, Bill Monroe and Ricky Skaggs he did spend a short time right out of high
school working with a Rock & Roll band playing songs of artist like Ted Nugent,
The Eagles and ZZ Top.
Gene’s bass playing
and vocal harmony abilities became outstanding and it wasn’t long before Gene
caught the eye of local Country Music celebrity Sammy Vaughn. Gene began playing
music full time, working with Sammy from 1977 to 1980. As many people recall
Sammy was the former rhythm guitar player for Earnest Tubb and also wrote songs
that were made hits by Ferlin Husky, Keith Whitley and Mel Street. Gene’s time
with Sammy brought many opportunities to open shows for label artists of that
era such as George Jones, Eddie Rabbit and Tammy Wynette. From 1980 to 1983 Gene
worked with artist Dusty James and an Oklahoma band called "Walnut Ridge". These
artists worked primarily in the Upper Midwest, Mountain States and Oklahoma. It
was during this time that Gene had the opportunity to attend a couple of
semesters at the Hank Thompson School of Country Music. From 1983 to 1985 Gene
relocated to the North Eastern United States and worked with a regional artist
named Bob Handley. During Gene’s tenure with the band they won the North Eastern
regional battle of the bands competition. In 1985 Gene was back in the Fort
Worth area working in Steve Stewart’s original band, "Brazos". It was during
this time Gene had the opportunity through Steve’s band to open shows for label
artists such as Sylvia, Gary Morris, Janie Frickie, Eddie Raven and Dan Seals.
Between 1987 and 1991 Gene worked in Bodie Powell’s band "Borderline" and Steve
Stewart’s re-formed band "Spirit Of The West" both of these artist had large
local followings in the Fort Worth / Dallas area and they worked many of the A
market clubs such as Billy Bobs, Rodeo Exchange and The Top Rail.
After 1991 Gene
slowed his musical career, earned a business degree and changed the way he makes
his primary living. As all the other members of "DHT" Gene works a
day job to support his desire to be a weekend warrior playing Country Music.
Gene is a founding
member of Dr. Honky Tonk and as do the other members of the band,
there’s no doubt that Gene’s style and ability contribute to the distinct Honky
Tonk sound of Dr. Honky Tonk.
Doug Norman -
Lead Guitarist / Lead
& Harmony Vocals
-
 Doug began playing guitar in his late teenage
years. Primarily self taught, Doug began playing the guitar because of his
guitar influences like Billy Gibbons, Stevie Ray Vaughan, B.B. King and numerous
other blues & rock greats. His first public appearances were sitting in with
various blues bands in the Dallas area. In 1993, Doug won his first blues
competition, a twelve week series that tested his grit but paid off.
Doug is also a lifelong fan of country music,
being influenced by Gene Watson, Buck Owens, George Strait, Dwight Yoakum and
newer artists such as Cross Canadian Ragweed and Aaron Watson. He began playing
in the country music scene with a two year stint for Les Davidson and One Drink
Away. Later he worked with current Dr. Honky Tonk drummer, Johnny
McDaniel playing with Les Alexander & WBB. This was a great experience opening
for acts such as Gene Watson, Billy Joe Royal and playing the Ft. Worth Arts
Festival with the Fabulous Thunderbirds.
He earned a Geosciences degree from Texas Tech
University and later his Teaching Certification from the University of Texas at
Dallas. During the work week he is a Science Teacher and Coach. Playing music
is a lifelong fascination for Doug and he is very honored to be a part of the
Dr. Honky Tonk experience.
Doug is the newest member of Dr. Honky
Tonk, joining in January 2008, playing lead guitar, harmonica and
vocals. There is no doubt that Doug's style and ability contribute largely to
the distinct Honky Tonk sound of Dr. Honky Tonk.
Johnny McDaniel -
Drums
 Johnny
was born in Bowie, TX and raised in the Crafton / Chico area where he lives now
with his wife & two sons.
Johnny began
playing the drums in High School primarily with friends & family. Most of
Johnny's playing took place at family gatherings and venues such as friends
parties. He started playing seriously about four years ago when he began playing
with Les Alexander & the WBB band. Johnny says working with Les really exposed
him to what a good country music drummer should be. Johnny's grateful for the
opportunity & the invaluable experience he gained on his instrument during the
time he worked with Les Alexander.
Prior to joining
Dr. Honky Tonk,
Johnny has most
recently been performing with Les Davidson & One Drink Away, Les Davidson is a
long time friend of Johnny's and Johnny certainly enjoyed working with Les
& his band. While working with Les, Johnny was exposed to new experiences and
opportunities such as opening shows and concerts for great performers like Moe
Bandy, Gene Watson, Eddy Raven, & Johnny Rodriquez.
Johnny joined Dr. Honky Tonk
in May of 2007. Johnny brings a lot
of drum horse power to the band and it goes without
saying, the other band members are pleased to have Johnny cutting the groove for
the band to follow.
-
|
