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Derek "D-Rail" Spring began drumming at the tender age of two. Pounding out rhythms on the rails of his crib, his mother soon realized that her boy was a natural born drummer. D-Rail began his formal study at the Windy City Conservatory of Whumpity Whumpity, where he received his B.A.M.F. in Boomwhacking Arts and Sciences. At his graduation ceremony he was awarded the prestigious "Sleeveless Shirt Award" for his work in bringing the percusso-boomwhacking arts to underprivileged children at the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. D-rail has played with acts in all genres of music: from rock to blues, bluegrass to polka, even doing a stint with the Hokum Brothers Goodtime Gospel Comedy hour. It was here with the Hokum brothers he developed his mastery of both the “train” and the “flat tire” beat that are so prevalent in the music of The Hillbilly Jones. After nearly 10 years on the road with The Hokum Brothers, D-Rail decided it was time to move on. Hokum brother Slaid begged D-Rail not to leave the show and even offered him his prized black hat if he would stay. D-Rail kindly refused, but punched Slaid in the jaw and took the hat anyway.

As fate would have it, The Hillbilly Jones were seeking a drummer at that point in history. Their former drummer had been killed in a freak accident at the Steak and Shake and they had a big show lined up at the VFW hall in Mousebreath, Iowa. D-Rail signed on for the gig and has been a member ever since. He currently resides in Bloomington, IL where he enjoys nude motorcycling, water polo, and ignoring his GPS.