James Davis was born on 6 June 1916 in Greenville, South Carolina, USA. He was married to Hortense Eddings Davis. He died on 17 April 2007 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
He founded the gospel group the Dixie Hummingbirds when he was 12, and
was its leader until he retired in 1984. The group was often referred
to as "The 'Birds" and influenced singers from Jackie Wilson to Stevie
Wonder.