The Happiness Boys

Vaudeville singing duo in Ann Arbor, Michigan

performing popular songs from the first half of the 20th Century

[The Happiness Boys, Don Devine & David Owens]                  [The Happiness Boys, Billy Jones & Ernest Hare]

            Don Devine & David Owens                               Billy Jones & Ernest Hare    

Devine and Owens are proud to be following in the footsteps of the original Happiness Boys, Billy Jones & Ernest Hare, the famous Vaudeville duo of the 1920's and 30's. Presenting wonderful songs from the glory days of Tin Pan Alley. They have fun! You will too!

From the 1870's to the 1920's, Vaudeville was The popular entertainment. There was no TV, no talking movies. People flocked to theaters to catch the latest acts, hear the latest songs. Many famous songs started out in Vaudeville, as well as many people who went on to long and illustrious careers in radio, TV, films, and music, including: Bob Hope, Al Jolson, George Burns, Jimmy Durante, Kate Smith, Jack Benny. There were also other well-known singing duos, such as Van & Schenck and Gallagher & Shean.

When the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor celebrated its 70th Anniversary, showing the 1928 Chaplin film "The Circus", The Happiness Boys provided the Vaudeville prologue, entertaining a packed house of over 1500.

See the Events Page to check for public performances of The Happiness Boys.

["Theatre du vaudeville" by Jean Beraud]

("Theatre du vaudeville"  by  Jean Beraud)