Becky Toth
Singer
Becky Toth is our founding member and lead vocalist. She has a Master’s degree in Community Psychology and has had a long career in Higher Education–first at her alma mater of Susquehanna University as the Associate VP for Advancement, and currently at the Bloomsburg University Foundation as the Director of the Zeigler College of Business.
When we asked Becky about when she started making music and who inspired her, she said, “I come from very musical parents, so music has been a big part of my life since I was born. My father played the piano by ear and was in a band when I was very little. My mother played the organ in church. Oddly enough, I didn't play an instrument until 7th grade, when I picked up the clarinet. I added the electric bass in ninth grade, because I wanted to learn to play like my idol and crush John Taylor from Duran Duran. I played clarinet and bass through my college years. I have always loved singing, and I sang in choirs throughout my school years, as well as singing in church.”
Becky has been involved in several musical acts. In 2017, she joined an oldies band and began taking voice lessons. After numerous open mics, she decided to start her own band, and in 2019 Strawbridge was founded. At that time, Becky was looking for a guitar player and started working on music with a friend’s husband. The street that ran between their homes in a small Central PA town, “Strawbridge Road”, inspired the name. Then, along came Jack DiBlasi, a keyboard player, with whom Becky had played in the oldies band. Both were looking for a new project, and even though the guitar player left the group, Jack and Becky carried on as a duo. They played numerous gigs throughout 2019, but stopped around the time Covid hit. Unfortunately, Jack passed away in 2021, but we continue on in his memory. Becky met her (now) husband, Emory–a drummer, and at the end of 2021, they decided to look for new band members–and Rick, Jody and Corey joined Emory and Becky as the current Strawbridge.
On occasion, you will see our awesome lead vocalist lending some extra flare with auxiliary percussion!
Emory North
Drummer
Emory, our drummer, has been “hitting the skins” since he was a kid, starting his journey by making music with members of his family. As you may have already read, his wife Becky pulled him into the Strawbridge project, and he’s been keeping the band’s beat ever since!
Beyond college and trade school, while self-employed, Emory has been a member of more than 5 bands over the years! One time, while performing, he suffered from heat exhaustion under the hot sun, but he's had some really enjoyable experiences, too. One of the most memorable was playing drums at the North of 80 Music Festival, an annual weekend of live music and vendors to raise awareness for Chromosome 18 disease.
Emory’s favorite, recent concert-going experience was a bucket-list evening seeing Bruce Springsteen, “The Boss”, live on stage. When not playing crowd-pleasers with Strawbridge, you might find Emory (and Becky) listening to Country music and traveling around to see various bands/artists. And, if you’re super lucky, you’ll see him rockin’ in the bed of a pickup as Strawbridge entertains during a local parade. Maybe he’ll even use his glowing light sticks! Emory also serves as a vocalist for Strawbridge, singing some of the favorites in our line-up while keeping us on-track.
Jody Love
Keyboard
Jody Love, keyboards and back-up vocals, joined the band in March of 2022. She answered a Facebook posting by former colleague, Becky, who was “looking for a unicorn”--someone who could play the keys and do back-up vocals. She never would’ve seen that ad had Facebook’s algorithm not shifted after Jody ran into Becky at a Wilkes-Barre restaurant after 10 years. It was fate!
Jody was inspired to make music in 4th grade, when Mrs. Harris convinced her to play flute and sing in choir. In high school, Mr. Piazza and Mrs. Gordner were so supportive that she wound up going to college for Music Ed., but spent the first decade after grad school in Higher Education/Student Affairs, not in a music classroom). She continued to be musically inspired through her work booking bands and making music on her own. Since 2017, however, she’s served as a music teacher and school administrator, encouraging budding musicians to appreciate all aspects of music!
Even though Jody appreciates almost every type of music, she is most often listening to the positive messaging on K-Love or scoping out fresh up-and-coming artists on YouTube. One of her current inspirations is Jon Batiste, a musical genius who covers many genres, has amazing charisma and can play just about anything! Since joining Strawbridge, Jody also has a new affinity for classics/oldies, and is reliving some great years through those songs!
If you ask Jody why she joined Strawbridge, she’ll probably say: “Music is my escape. Regardless of what's happening in my life, it grounds and relaxes me. My goal will always be to make music whenever possible--with Strawbridge, jamming at a picnic with family, singing with the Williamsport Civic Chorus or the Mansfield University Alumni Concert Choir, or harmonizing in the car to whatever’s playing (my kids just LOVE this!). This is only my 2nd cover-band-type experience, and it's SO much fun! Maybe it's a mid-life crisis thing...some people buy a sports car or go sky-diving, I joined a cover band!"
After performing in ancient cathedrals in Europe, in underground caves, on the stage at Carnegie Hall, and anywhere in between, Jody says her favorite performance is based on audience reaction: “If they’re having a great time, so am I!"
Corey Davis
Lead Guitar
We’d like to introduce you to our kick-a$$ guitarist, Corey Davis. He started playing guitar around age 13, and was inspired by 2 things: 1. Seeing Keith Urban in concert, and 2. that unforgettable video game, “Guitar Hero”. His idol for many years has been Synyster Gates, lead guitarist of Avenged Sevenfold, saying “His play-style and guitar solos just resonate with me.” Corey holds an Associates Degree in Music Recording Technology, and Strawbridge is Corey’s first experience in a gigging band. He got roped into the band by Strawbridge keyboardist, Jody, who he’s known since before he started playing guitar.
When Corey’s not shredding on his favorite guitar, he can be found working at a local greenhouse/produce farm, as he has done for the last 11 years. Some of his earnings have taken him to great live performances, including his most memorable show–”Metallica–an iconic band that put on an amazing show!”.
When we asked Corey about his musical aspirations, he said: “I'm not really sure what my goals are for my future in music. I do hope to keep playing in bands and maybe make it a career eventually.” We may be biased, but we’re all pretty sure he could do it!
Even though Corey listens mostly to hard rock & metal, he has done a great job of infusing his style on classics from the past 6 decades. He says his favorite Strawbridge performance to date was the 2023 Millville Carnival, a stage he’s been watching since he was little.