Dillards Were Very Popular on 'The Andy Griffith Show' — Inside the Bandmates' Lives

The Dillards are a bluegrass band from Salem, Missouri. They are most popular for their appearance as "The Darlings" on "The Andy Griffith Show."

The band originally consisted of Douglas Dillard, Rodney Dillard, Dean Webb, and Mitchell Franklin "Mitch" Jayne. As reported by Wide Open Country, The Dillards made their first appearance on "The Andy Griffith Show" in 1963.

It was the best introduction a band could request and their roles weren't actually a stretch. Siblings Douglas and Rodney played members of a family band performing hillbilly music.

THEY WERE FAN FAVORITES

In spite of the fact that they were known as The Darlings, the harmonies were all The Dillards. During the eight-year run of "The Andy Griffith Show," The Darlings made just six appearances.

The band, in any case, established a long term connection with the viewers. The Darlings won the hearts of many fans.

They were joined by Briscoe Darling, their patriarch, and sister, Charlene. The Darling young men brought mountain music into homes where it wouldn't otherwise be heard.

ONE OF THE FIRST BLUEGRASS BANDS

In the mid-1960s, The Dillards are perceived as one of the primary bluegrass bands to electrify their instruments. They helped bring forth the California rock of The Eagles and the country rock of The Flying Burrito Brothers.

In May 2012, Douglas passed away after a long illness. He was 75. According to his obituary, his astonishing picking engaged and motivated ages of fans and individual performers across all genres.

He also acted as the emcee for the Dillard's band appearances all through Southern California during the late 1960's.

MUSIC LOVER

Doug began playing guitar at age five. He learned his own three-finger picking style by tuning in to the early recordings of several great musicians, including Earl Scruggs and Don Reno.

In June 2018, Webb died at the age of 81, according to Bluegrass Today. He grew up with a family who was a music lover.

Webb's love of bluegrass music was born when he heard Bill Monroe's version of "Blue Moon of Kentucky." That incited him to acquire an old mandolin and join his bluegrass-playing cousins.

In August 2010, Jayne passed away in Columbia, Boone County, Missouri, USA. He was 82, according to Find A Grave.

Jayne played the upright bass. He also acted as the emcee for the Dillard's band appearances all through Southern California during the late 1960's.

Meanwhile, Rodney keeps on performing as part of The Dillards, at times with TV Land Legend Award winner Maggie Peterson, as reported by Wide Open Country.