Karen, Jim and Susanna carry on the legacy which began with Maxine Humman and Arlen Boyd who, near the close of World War II in 1946, in rural South Carolina, formed The Humman-Boyd Band, and began taking their original brand of gospel-tinged country music to listeners throughout the eastern United States. A misunderstanding while appearing in Long Island, resulted in renaming the group The Hummingbirds and when Maxine and Arlen married in November 1947, they adopted Hummingbird as their joint surname. 

Ernest Rufus Otis James Hummingbird was born April 6, 1948. A precocious child, he picked up guitar at an early age and joined his parents on stage as "Little Jimmy" Hummingbird. Though a love for his parents music has remained over the years, his own musical path has taken some wide detours. At the tender age of thirteen, he formed the The Bumming Herd and scored a minor hit (#91 on the Billboard Hot 100) in 1961 with the instrumental track, "Don't Sit On My Hat".

The twins, Susanna Lawanda and Karen Willie Mae Hummingbird were a late life surprise for Maxine and Arlen. A predicted Swine Flu Epidemic in 1976 never materialized on a large scale, but tragically Maxine was one of the few unfortunate victims. Arlen passed away mere months later. People kindly said it was from a broken heart, but most suspected his copious drinking contributed significantly. The twins, already showing the family penchant for precocious talent, were taken in by older brother Jim Hummingbird who raised them on the road as if they were his own, featuring them in his own popular road show.

Today, The Hummingbirds continue in the tradition set by their parents. Each a talented vocalist and songwriter, The Hummingbirds render audiences speechless with their family style harmonies and wow even the most grizzled critic with tales of their unusual upbringing. As Mama Maxine used to say, "Keep it humble." Or as Papa Arlen would say, "I'll drink to that!"

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