OUR STORY
We All Make Music.
The Duron Family Band's story begins with Antonio Duron Sr., a musician who played guitar, piano, and violin, and who led his children into music from the very start. In the vibrant Hispanic community of Grand Rapids, Michigan, the Duron household was always filled with music — Spanish ballads, polkas, and the sounds of a family making music together.
Antonio's sons carried the torch, each bringing their own gifts to the family legacy. Danny, Tony Jr., Jerry, and Mario all grew up surrounded by music, learning from their father at the kitchen table and on stage. Cousin Pablo Cruz Duron — known as "Mr. Las Vegas" — was a standout talent with lead vocals and an electrifying front-man presence. The family band also featured beautiful guest vocals from sisters Irma (Duron) Pleog and Shirley (Duron), whose voices added grace and warmth to every performance.
As the brothers grew, they each forged their own musical paths. Danny found his voice in rock and polka, playing with the Hi-Notes, the T.M.G's, and later forming Warsaw, a beloved Polka band that played halls throughout the Grand Rapids area. Jerry's journey took him through The Blue Kingdom, the Hi-Notes, Warsaw, and finally the Eastside Sound band, where he enjoyed many years as a bassist and vocalist. Mario pursued his passion across genres, performing with the Metros and launching a solo career that spanned decades, from recording his first record in Pittsburgh as a teenager to playing gospel and sacred music for the glory of God.
The musical flame continued into the next generation with Mario's children, Tami and Frank. Frank formed the Space Brothers, an all-original rock band, and later the Highwater Boys, while also earning a BA in Music Composition and multiple master's degrees. Tami's powerful voice shone through her work with Azz-Izz and Gold Company, and she went on to become a vocal music educator at Northview Public Schools, sharing her gift with students for over three decades.
But the Duron Family Band is more than just family. MyKey K and Beto Molina are special additions who have become honorary members of the Duron family. MyKey K first performed with the band in 1973 as a drummer, and went on to become a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and recording artist whose harmonica, button box, and keys became an essential part of the band's sound. Beto brought his Latin percussion passion to the band in the 1980s, infusing every performance with irresistible rhythm and energy.
Today, the Duron family continues to make music together. Danny and Frank Duron produced "Especially For You," a 66-song collection spanning country, rock-n-roll, Latin, polka, and jazz — a tribute to their father Antonio and over 60 years of musical heritage. The band continues to perform, including a showcase at the Frederik Meijer Gardens, keeping the music alive for new generations. The universe is God's orchestra, and the Duron family is just playing their part.
Duron Family Crest
A Father's Dream Fulfilled
The idea of recording the family band was forged in the early 2000's at the family kitchen table in the wee hours of the morning. My father and I had just finished playing a dance at one of our local clubs. We sat down and started to talk about our younger years in music. These counseling discussions in the early morning are referred to as a “Consejero” in Spanish. During these talks, my mother would wake up to make us breakfast, as was customary in Spanish culture. My father began to reminisce about us boys being young and in the family band with him as the leader.
It's been over 60 years since we, as a family band, recorded together. My father did not live long enough to see his dream fulfilled. We dedicate this album to our family who have passed on, as they would have been in these recordings if they were still with us. The universe is God's orchestra, and we are just instruments.
Daniel Duron
Explore the AlbumDuron Family Timeline
