The Dixie Melody Boys are an American Southern Gospel quartet from Kinston, North Carolina. They have been active for over 50 years.
History:
The group was founded in 1961 by Avis Adkins with Eugene Payne, Ralph Walker and Tony Brown on piano; Ed O'Neal, their bass singer, joined in 1963, and subsequently became the group's leader and manager. Under O'Neal, the group became something of a training ground for singers who would go on to have significant careers in the field of Southern gospel, including McCray Dove with the Dove Brothers, Rodney Griffin with Greater Vision, Harold Reed with The Kingsmen, Derrick Selph of Brian Free and Assurance, Dustin Sweatman of Mark Trammell Quartet, Bryan Walker, who went on to become a contestant on Season 9 of American Idol and then later joined The Perrys, and Devin McGlamery with Signature Sound. The group was nicknamed the "Ed O'Neal University" because of the impact they have had on Gospel music.
The group has had more than twenty hits in the Southern gospel field, including "Antioch Church Choir", "Double Dose", "Don't Point a Finger", and "When the Son of My Life Goes Down". The group has released a large number of albums and numerous VHS videos and DVD's. They have also won countless awards and even received a Grammy nomination.
Ed O'Neal has received the Marvin Norcross Award and was inducted into the Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame in 2004.
The current group has re-established themselves as one of Gospel musics top groups. With the release of their 50th anniversary project "The Call Is Still The Same" and historic events such as the Anniversary Reunion celebration held at the National Quartet Convention, the Dixie Melody Boys have entered a new era. Tenor Matt Felts has played a crucial role in their rise, using his marketing company to assist in their promotions. He was responsible for the marketing strategy behind the groups 50th Anniversary celebration, the Anniversary album and the Reunion at NQC. The lineup with Ed O'Neal, Matt Felts and Mike Rogers has been considered as including some of the best talent in the group's rich history.
In January 2013, the Dixie Melody Boys received 11 Top Ten nominations in the Southern Gospel Music Fan awards.
Favorite Quartet: The Dixie Melody Boys,
Favorite Album: The Call Is Still The Same,
Favorite Song: The Call Is Still The Same,
Favorite Tenor: Matt Felts,
Favorite Bass: Ed O'Neal,
Favorite Lead: Mike Rogers,
Living Legend: Ed O'Neal,
Favorite Video: Reunion: 50 Years Of Influence,
Young Excelling Artist: Mike Rogers,
Favorite Baritone: Steven Cooper,
Favorite TV Show: Great American Gospel hosted by Ed O'Neal,
The group won the Favorite Male Quartet and Favorite Bass Singer awards in 2012.
Personnel:
Current members:
Ed O'Neal - Bass (1961-present),
Steven Cooper - Baritone (2007-present),
Matt Felts - Tenor (2010-present),
Mike Rogers - Lead (2012-present),
Past members:
Bass
Don Henderson,
Buddy Hawley,
Marvin Harris,
Baritone
Gene Payne 1961,
Henry Daniels,
Delmar Tillman,
Tom Jones,
Allen O'Neal,
David DeLawder 1986-1987,
Nathan Widenor 1987-1991,
Bill Bass 1991-1992,
Rodney Griffin 1992-1993,
Jamie Bramlett 1994-1995,
Dave Needham 1995-1997,
Craig Singletary 1997-1998,
Kenny Cook 1998-1999,
Derrick Selph 1999-2003,
Dustin Sweatman 2003-2004,
Andrew King 2004-2007,
Bryan Walker 2007,
Steven Cooper 2007-2013,
Lead
Avis Adkins 1961,
David Kimbrel,
John Jarmen,
Dewey Williams,
Gary Wadell,
Kent Humphries,
McCray Dove 1986-1998,
Jamie Caldwell 1998-2000,
Devin McGlamery 2000-2004,
Dustin Sweatman 2004-2006,
Donald Moris 2006, 2009- 2012,
Bryan Walker 2006-2007,
Rob Shelton 2007-2008,
Joe Kitson 2008-2009,
Mike Rogers 2012-present,
Tenor
Ralph Walker 1961,
Charles Forehand,
Bobby Kraft,
Frank Sutton,
Jimmy Jones,
Phil Barker,
Jamey Ragle,
David Walker 1986-1988,
Ernie Haase 1988,
Derrick Boyd 1988-1993,
Harold Reed 1993-2004,
Dan Keeton 2004-2007,
Jonathan Price 2007-2010,
Matt Felts 2010-present,
Piano
Tony Brown -1962-1965,
Greg Simpkins,
Jerry Kelso 1978-1985,
Bobby Ledford 1986-1989,
Dwight Young 1989,
Steve Wood 1989-1992,
Eric Ollis 1992-2004,
Dustin Sweatman 2004-2006 (played and sang),
Instrumentalist
Blake Jarmin,
George Shambaugh,
DJ Johns,
Larry DeLawder 1986-1995,
Jeff Knight 1985-1986,
George Shambaugh - guitar 1986,
Darren Humphrey - drummer 1986-1988,
Craig Hamm - lead guitar 1983-1986,
Olan Witt - drummer 1983-1985
