Background
Darbone was born in Evangeline Parish, Louisiana. He was the son of Edvard "Eddie" Darbone. He was born in Evangeline and raised in Orangefield, Texas.
Darbone was born in Evangeline Parish, Louisiana. He was the son of Edvard "Eddie" Darbone. He was born in Evangeline and raised in Orangefield, Texas.
In 1930 he met a guitarist called Edwin Duhon and together they formed the nucleus of a band they named the Hackberry Ramblers in honor of their hometown. By 1933 they were on the radio and signed with Radio Corporation of America Bluebird Records. In 1936, they recorded "Jolie Blonde", "Oh Josephine, Ma Josephine", "One Step De L"Amour" and "Faux Pas Tu Bray Cherie".
Darbone and Duhon were the first musicians to bring electronic amplification to area dance halls, running a public address system off the idling engine of Darbone"s Model-A Ford.
Their eclectic repertoire included Cajun music, country music and Western swing, jazz music, and blues music Due to a sponsorship deal with Montgomery Ward, the band adopted the name "The Riverside Ramblers".
In 2002, Darbone and Duhon received a prestigious National Heritage Fellowship from the Folk Arts Program of the National Endowment for the Arts.