Last month, the Dixie Melody Boys announced that baritone Steven Cooper’s would be transitioning to the bass guitar position, after his doctor prescribed several years of vocal rest. Yesterday evening, they sent out a press release announcing his replacement: They have hired Aaron Dishman as their new baritone/pianist.

Dishman had filled in several years ago at the pianist position. “We fell in love with his spirit,” bass singer and manager Ed O’Neal stated. “When this came open, we knew he would be a great fit.”

Tenor and publicist Matt Felts added, “We are excited to have Aaron join us. When he came to audition and sat down at the piano to sing us a song, you could feel God’s spirit. He will add so much to our concerts and I know the fans will love him.”

The Dixie Melody Boys are currently accepting applications for the lead singer position vacated yesterday by Mike Rogers, who moved to Brian Free & Assurance

Last night, Brian Free & Assurance announced that Mike Rogers is their new baritone singer. Brian Free stated:

When I received the audition info for Mike I was very impressed with his vocal ability and the gift to deliver a song. After spending some time with him, his wife Bekki and daughter Coraline at my home, I knew he was the one God had sent to be a member of our family. I love his heart and the love he has for people. He will be a wonderful addition to BFA.

Having over 300 people apply for the job, it was a hard decision due to all the talent I heard. I want to thank each person who took their time and effort to apply for the position. I am truly honored that so many wanted to be a part of our ministry. I know God has a place and time for you to use your talent for him.

Mike Rogers added:

The warmth and humility from Brian and the guys when I auditioned made me feel this was truly a God-thing, and confirmed for me that I wanted to be a part of their ministry. BFA is very family-oriented, which means a lot to me. Ministry is important, but after God, family is top priority. Quartet music doesn’t get any better than BFA. They are top notch, and I am honored to join them.

Rogers is the latest graduate of Ed O’Neal University. He was introduced to Southern Gospel when he joined the Dixie Melody Boys, ten months ago. (The day his hire there was announced, we interviewed him, here.)

Dixie Melody Boys owner Ed O’Neal commented, “We wish Mike and his family the best.” Tenor/publicist Matt Felts added, “Change can be hard but also exciting. History has proven that every time a singer has left, God has brought us another great addition to the Dixie Melody Boys. We know God has someone coming that will be the right fit for years to come.” The Dixie Melody Boys are accepting auditions at dixiemelodyboys@yahoo.com.

The Dixie Melody Boys just announced that baritone singer Steven Cooper has been experiencing vocal issues so severe that doctors are advising several years of vocal rest. But he’s not leaving the group; he will move to bass guitar. They plan to hire a baritone singer who can also play piano and bring back a live band.

Cooper commented: “”I want to thank everyone for their concern and understanding over the last year. It has been difficult time having to go through this as a singer. I hope that someday my voice will return and I will be able to sing again. I ask that you will keep me in your prayers as I trust God for a healing. I also want to thank Ed, Matt and Mike for their support in this change and for allowing me to remain a member of the group.”

Worth Knowing

• We’re continuing to post the latest updates on Tracy Stuffle’s stroke recovery here.
• Former Skyline Boys lead singer Toby Siler has launched his own group with his wife and children, The Siler Family.
• Shannon Terrell, who toured with John Lanier in River Song (the group, not the record company), passed away this week after a battle with cancer.
• Worth Reading: The ClearBox blog, mentioned earlier this week here, has a new post  up: What is the Fair Market Value of a Song? It’s as if they read this comment. (Perhaps they did!)

Worth Watching

Ever thought you’d see legendary Dixie Melody Boys bass singer Ed O’Neal doing a little choreography? Well, make sure you watch this video to about the 1:47 point:

Also, don’t miss Kyla Rowland’s rendition of a song she wrote that has also been recorded by the Mark Trammell Trio/Quartet, “Loving the Lamb”:

Worth Discussing

It’s open thread Saturday—you decide!

Dixie Melody Boys: Matt Felts, Mike Rogers, Steven Cooper, Ed O’Neal

Past the Press Release is an interview series featuring a new member of a professional Southern Gospel group. It’s a chance to look past the standard “excited to be here” press release comment and learn a little more about them. Meet new Dixie Melody Boys lead singer Mike Rogers, whose hire will be officially announced today!

Later this morning, the Dixie Melody Boys will distribute an official press release announcing that their new lead singer is Mike Rogers. Rogers hails from Sandersville, Georgia. His wife is named Becky, and they have a three-year-old daughter, Coraline. He previously performed with Kindred Spirit. (Here’s a video of him featured on a solo with that group.)

Dixie Melody Boys tenor Matt Felts states that the group received over three hundred applications. He adds: “It was an overwhelming response. We didn’t expect so many men to apply. It proved to me that there is a lot of talent in Southern Gospel music. As we stated, our plan was to audition several men, take them on the road with us and then announce them in September. Sometimes plans change. As I was going through demo’s a voice begin to sing and I knew we had found our next lead singer. Ed listened to his demo and agreed. The moment we met Mike Rogers and heard him sing with us we knew God had brought us the right fit.” He added that they moved up the announcement after the strong response Rogers received at the Absolutely Gospel Fan Fest and at Frank Arnold’s Songfest; they knew it wouldn’t take long for word to get out online.

Daniel: What was your first exposure to Southern Gospel? If you didn’t grow up around it, what individuals or groups introduced you to this style?

Mike: I heard it around my grandparents’ house growing up but I never really connected to it. A few years back I was introduced to the music of Jason Crabb. I thought “If you can sing Gospel music like that, that’s what I want to do.” Michael English has also influenced me along with Jason.

Daniel: What / who inspired you to start singing?

Mike: I actually didn’t start singing until I was in my late teens. I got involved in a community theatre production that required me to sing.

Daniel: Did you have the opportunity to grow up in a Christian home? If not, where along the way did you hear the Gospel?

Mike: Luckily, I did. I started going to church around nine years old but I really committed my life when I was around 19.

Daniel: What group(s) have you sung with prior to joining the Dixie Melody Boys? (I’ve heard about your work with Kindred Spirit, but don’t know if there are any others.)

Mike: The first group I was with was called Saviors Touch. I was with them two years before joining Kindred Spirit this past January. They were dissapointed to see me go but fully supported me. They are thrilled for this opportunity that I have been blessed with.

Daniel: Do you play any musical instruments, or have other musical interests (e.g. songwriting, album production, live concert audio) other than singing?

Mike: I love anything to do with music. I began playing the guitar when I was 12. I also dabble a little with the piano, drums, mandolin and bass guitar. I also enjoy live concert audio and have written a few songs.

Daniel: How about non-musical hobbies?

Mike: I am an avid hunter and fisherman. I love the outdoors. From what I have been told by Ed and the guys, Golf will be my new hobby on the road. lol.

Daniel: Yes, I think that may be safe to assume!  Let’s suppose you had the opportunity to go back in time and hear any one Southern Gospel group you’ve never gotten to see in person live. What group would you pick, and what lineup or year?

Mike: I would have loved to hear the Hinsons back in the day. I’m sure that was an awesome show.

Daniel: If you could put together a dream team quartet of any vocalist currently in Southern Gospel, who would you pick?

Mike: Well, I’m pretty blessed to have a dream quartet where I’m at with Ed O’Neal, Matt Felts and Steven Cooper. These guys are great but if I had to pick other guys I would pick David Phelps, Jason Crabb, Joseph Habedank and Tim Duncan.

Daniel: I understand you’re married and have one child. Could you share a little about your family?

Mike: I have a beautiful and supportive wife Becky. We have been married 4 years. I am also blessed with a incredible 3 year old little girl named Coraline. We will be moving soon to Kinston.

Daniel: What are good ways to keep up with you and with the Dixie Melody Boys?

Mike: I have already been blessed to meet some incredible Dixie Melody Boys fans on the road and I am looking forward to meeting more. It’s an exciting time to join the guys. We have so many great things coming up. You can keep up with us at www.dixiemelodyboys.com and on our facebook page.

Worth Knowing

• The Dove Brothers have changed the branding and URL on their website from Dove Brothers Quartet to Dove Brothers Band. (Hat tip, Brandon.)
• The Dixie Melody Boys are issuing a limited-edition pressing of what may be Ed O’Neal’s first-ever recording, a 1961 album Introducing the Gospel Harmony Quartet.

Worth Reading

• Off-topic but worthwhile: By its very definition, “forgiveness” is giving up resentment or a claim to requital from someone who has done something wrong to you. Yet some preachers today claim a therapeutic value to “forgiving God” after something bad happens. This column tears that notion to shreds, calling anyone who has the audacity to tell someone to “forgive God” to repent for entertaining the notion that a holy and perfect God has done anything wrong!

Worth Watching

Here’s one of the first videos posted of the Blackwood Brothers with new bass singer Butch Owens:

Worth Discussing

It’s open thread Saturday—you decide!

The Dixie Melody Boys just announced that lead singer Donald Morris is leaving the group. Morris had been with the group for three years. Tenor and publicist Matt Felts commented: 

It is common to hear that a guy comes off the road to be with their family. In this case it is true, Donald has made the tough decision to come off the road to be with his family. He has a beautiful baby girl at home and I’m sure he is looking forward to seeing her more. He will also be focusing on his songwriting and his publishing company. We are proud of Donald. He is one of the finest lead singers we have ever had. We will miss him.

Ed O’Neal added:

The family of former members is very close. Donald will always have a special place in our family. We understand why he is coming off the road but we will miss him. He is a special talent. 

Audition plans for a replacement will be announced shortly.

Worth Knowing

• The Dixie Melody Boys have launched a Hall of Fame page on their website highlighting notable members. [EDIT, 2/26/13: Broken link removed.] Of particular interest to Southern Gospel LP collectors who digitize their old albums: It includes cover art for many old DMB albums.
• Remember the Jody Brown Indian Family? Here’s what Stephanie (Brown) Scragg is doing lately: A popcorn business with her husband, former Karen Peck and New River drummer Dale Scragg. (Hat tip, Dean A.)
• This year’s AbsolutelyGospel Music Awards will be next Tuesday, April 10. The awards ceremony will be played on Sirius/XM’s enLighten nightly from April 13-15. [EDIT, 2/21/13: Broken Link Removed.]
• Liberty Quartet has reissued God’s Been Faithful (reviewed here) with vocals from new lead singer Doug Wiley (interviewed here).

Worth Reading

Worth Discussing

It’s open thread Saturday—you decide!

3:1 Reviews offer three highlights of an album and one area that could have been improved.

1. “The Call is Still the Same”: The title cut is an autobiographical look at the challenges and blessing of a life spent following Christ. Tenor Matt Felts anchors the song, the best anthem the group has recorded in a decade. Dixie Melody Boys alumnus Rodney Griffin, who co-wrote the song with Wayne Haun, offers a guest vocal on the second verse.

2. Guest Vocalists: Song Garden lined up a number of Dixie Melody Boys alumni for guest appearances to commemorate the group’s fiftieth anniversary—Ernie Haase, Devin McGlamery, Allen O’Neal, Harold Reed, McCray Dove, and Kent Humphrey—and additional guest vocals from Jason Crabb and Ben Speer. It is a fitting salute to Ed O’Neal, who has made a career out of launching others’ careers.

3. “I’ve Got Family There”: Ed O’Neal’s solo on this mellow song about Heaven is an album highlight. Ben Speer’s guest harmony vocals are a pleasant bonus.

:1. One thing I would change: Nothing, really: A few more incredible songs would have made this a five-star project, but even as it is, it’s the best mainline project the Dixie Melody Boys have released in fifteen years.

Worth Knowing

• All things Gaither: INSP has dropped the Homecoming series.
• Dixie Melody Boys: Rayburn Lane, who drove the bus for the Dixie Melody Boys for years, left to drive for the Dove Brothers about ten years ago. The Dixie Melody Boys announced earlier this week that he has returned. McCray Dove, quoted in the press release, offered the most unique send-off in recent memory: “I am sad that my longtime friend Rayburn is leaving. He is leaving for a good reason. Ed O’Neal needs a driver and he taught Rayburn to drive. He is a Dixie Melody Boy again but if you real close you will still see some wings on his shoulders.”
• Cathedral Quartet: Van Payne’s daughter Darla Payne Hammons posted on Facebook yesterday that Van will be moved to an assisted living facility today; her Parkinsons has progressed to the point where she needs full-time care. Hammons added that her mother “is in great spirits and continues to trust in God, but it was a hard decision for her.” The family requests prayer. (Payne is the widow of late Cathedrals lead singer Glen Payne.)
• Industry: Eric Melton has left Homeland Entertainment to found Choice Promotions, a publicity company focusing on radio, television, and public relations.

Worth Watching

Think that “Glory Road” is so familiar that you know what to expect? Here’s an unusual and rather different take, featuring Daniel Childs of Blackwood Legacy?

Worth Discussing

It’s open thread Saturday—you decide!