2006

Meet The Dotsons

Tell us some history of the Dotsons. How did you get involved in Southern Gospel Music?

We are a family southern gospel group based out of Silver Lake, IN.  John, Yavonna, Christopher, Seth and Emily make up The Dotsons.  We (John & Yavonna) started singing together in our home church in 1986.  We have sang at funerals, weddings, and revivals.  When other groups would come to our church to sing, they would always tell us what a talent we had to sing for the Lord and that we should be out on the road.  It wasn’t until years later that we felt God calling us to go.  We did our very first recording titled “GENESIS – IN THE BEGINNING”  in Oct. 1998 just as a favor to friends and family who kept asking us to do a recording.  John only wrote 2 of the 10 songs on our first recording, but soon realized that God had given him the gift to write songs.  We had no intentions on that recording taking us down the path that it has thus far.  God started opening doors and the phone started ringing, so we went and here we are 7+ years and 5 recordings later doing an interview with you fine people.  God is so good and He will direct our paths if we will only step out of the way and let Him be in control!

What is the most difficult problem traveling as a family? What's the biggest blessing?

The difficult problem would be working around school schedules and our (John & Yavonna) 40 hour work week schedules.

The biggest blessing is we get to travel together as a family and see our children develop in their singing and playing……………nothing makes a parent more proud than to see their child sing and play for the Lord AND love doing it !!!!      

Who are the songwriters in the group? If you could be remembered for only one song that you have written, what song would you want to be remembered for?

We both have the ability to write, but John writes most of our material.  He is becoming very well-known for his song-writing abilites.

John’s song titled, “GARDENS OF STONE” (song about the resurrection) is a song some SGM fans might know; Heirline recorded and singled this song a few years back and it is on their Heirline Hits CD.  Another song I wrote called “THE MAN I USE TO BE” is the song that we are most known for, especially in our area (and it has just recently been recorded by Heirline on their new CD to be out soon).  It talks about a changed life, changed by the Lord Jesus Christ; what I was, what I am now.  We never tire of singing it.  Two powerful messages in these songs so it’s hard to pick between them.
           
I see that you do a big benefit concert each year for the Diabetes Association. Tell us why you started doing them and about their success.

Yes, we do host an annual concert; THE AGGIE DOTSON MEMORIAL BENEFIT CONCERT FOR THE AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOC.  John’s mom, Aggie, suffered through most of the effects of having diabetes for some 30+ years.  Even before she died we decided that one day we would do our part, in her memory, to help others who suffer from this disease.  With the help of John’s dad, Ralph Dotson, and many friends and family we host this event on the 1st Saturday in November each year at The Ramada Wagon Wheel Theater in Warsaw, IN.  This year will be out 7th year for this event and over the past 6 years we have raised right at $50,000.00 that we have donated to ADA in memory of Aggie Dotson.  This has been a very successful event for us, each year the house has been packed !!  This year’s event will be on November 4th at 6:00 p.m. at The Ramada Wagon Wheel Theater and we are very excited about the group selection for this year; we are having THE GABBARDS, THE MIKE BOWLING GROUP and WESTON HINSON (son of the late Kenny Hinson) And of course the host group, THE DOTSONS !!!!  For more information about this event please log onto our website at  http://www.dotsons.com

What is the Southern Gospel climate like in Indiana? Do you promote SG in your area?

Indiana is a mixed bag.  We don’t have a lot of radio up here.  The closest station to us is over an hour away in South Bend, IN and it’s only  part-time (10 hrs a week).  So it’s hard to promote concerts.  We only promote our annual benefit concert and from time to time we have a national group come into our home church. 

There are less groups up here in Indiana but I would trade that for the coverage y’all have in the south because down in the southern gospel market they know the music, it’s part of their life.

When you're not performing, what does each group member listen to? What's in the CD player right now?

We all listen to a variety of southern gospel, but our oldest son, Christopher, is a fan of The Original Hinsons and a HUGE fan of Kenny Hinson (when you walk into his room he has an entire wall of Kenny Hinson pictures).  Our youngest son, Seth, likes The Paynes.  As for our little daughter, Emily, she likes anything with a good, fast beat that she can dance to.  We all like these groups and you can hear their influence in our music.  Instead of being a fan of a certain group, we have become more of a fan of good songs no matter who sings them. 

Currently in our player is Heirline, but Mike Bowling’s new CD “Tribute to Kenny Hinson” has been in our player a lot lately.

If you could change one thing in SGM, what would it be?

Less showmanship and more sincere ministry.

If you could have any artist be a guest on your next CD, who would you ask? What song would you have them sing with the Dotsons?

If Kenny Hinson were still alive, I’d ask him and we would sing “Call Me Gone” or any hit song of his.  But that not being the case, I would ask Mike Payne of The Paynes.  We would sing “He broke the chains”.  We love that song and we love Mike; he is as good a person (and writer) as they get !!!

Where's the oddest place the Dotsons have performed?

The only thing that comes to mind is last summer in Bristol, Indiana.  We were singing outdoors in the pouring-down-rain with the speakers covered over with a tarp !  Hard to be heard when the speakers are covered with a tarp!

Is there anything that we haven't asked that your heart is burning to say?

We truly feel that God has called us to this ministry of singing.  We are very ministry oriented, but like to have fun as well.  We take this calling that God has put upon us very seriously and we know that one day we will  stand before an almighty, awesome God and give account for the things that we have done in this life so we want to be able to say that we have done our very best for the Lord when that day comes.

When we first started The Dotsons ministry, we had no idea what to expect or how hard it would be to get our music played on some of the bigger stations.  We just want a chance to be heard by the masses and we are just trusting in God to take care of this for us.  For we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God has His hand upon us and has called us to do this and He can overcome any obstacles that stand in our way. PRAISE THE LORD !!!!

If you would like to book The Dotsons, please call our office at 260-982-7714.  If you would like to hear a sample of our music, please visit us on the web at http://www.dotsons.com
We would love to hear from you !

The Lesters

I remember the Lesters from way back when I lived in the St Louis area. You transformed from the Lester Family, to the Lester Family with the Gateway Boys and Donna, then the Gateway Boys with Donna and Ginger, and now on to just the Lesters. Tell us a little about the history of the Lesters from the early days to now. Are there any future Lesters waiting in the wings?

Deon, since 1925 there has been a Lester Family. St. Louis has been home to this music ministry from the beginning. The name, Gateway Boys came about in the 60's when the Gateway Arch was built on the riverfront along the Mississippi River. St.Louis became known as the Gateway To The West. My Grandfather, Harvey (Pop Lester) decided to name the younger generation of the Lesters the Gateway Boys. Then after Curt Reed was drafted into the Army, Pop decided that my sister, Donna, could step in. Thus, began the Gateway Boys and Donna. Then Ginger, my younger sister, came onto the scene. Guess what? The Gateway Boys with Donna and Ginger came into existence. Different names, yet we were all the Lester Family. I loved it! You asked about other Lesters in the wings? My son, Jonathan travels as much as he can at this time. He represents the fourth generation of the Lesters. Deon, only God knows, but, yes there is hope for the Lesters to continue on.

How has the ministry of the Lesters changed since it was Mom and Pop Lester and Herschel and Alene? (Correct my spelling if you need to.)

The ministry never changes. It is the gospel message in song. As it was back then, it is still our desire to see people saved, to see lives changed, Christians encouraged, and to see God glorified in everything we do. The big difference is that we have a greater opportunity nowadays to reach more people because of the many different means of communication.

You traveled so long with mostly family, how is it different now?

Naturally. I miss the days of it being mostly family that traveled. It will always be a family ministry. By that, I mean that anyone who comes to be a part of the Lesters will always be made to feel as if they are a part of the Lester Family. Even though Trecia Cisneros, Liz McMillan, and David Parrett may not be blood relatives, they are who God has placed here. I believe they are here on purpose.

I know that you are an Ordained Baptist Minister. Does that work directly with the Lesters ministry?

Many years ago I knew that I had been called to sing the gospel. I surrendered my life to that calling. I am very grateful that the Lord uses the Lesters through the ministry of Gospel Music to share the word.

Many people may not know that you are an excellent drummer. Do you often get the opportunity to use that talent?

Deon, it has been a long time, hasn't it! Thank you for your kindness, but it has been a very long time since the days of drumming for me. At best, I hope I could still keep a decent rhythm.

The Lesters were the promoters extraordinaire of St. Louis in the 60s, 70, and 80s. What are you doing in the promoting arena now?

Actually, the main promotion the Lesters do is at Meramec Caverns. This October will mark the 39th Annual Fall Festival of Gospel Music. This is now a four day gospel music event and is a huge undertaking! And quite honestly, with our travels is all we can handle. the other promotion we do is also held at Meramec Caverns. (Get the picture? The Lesters LIVE in a cave!) The Lesters host an Easter Weekend Celebration. This event features the Lesters doing the singing and a cast of fifty friends that portray the crucifixion and the resurrection. This production is presented in pageantry and song the Saturday evening before Easter and Easter Sunday morning. The Easter weekend celebration has become an important outreach of the Lesters ministry.

Tell us a little about the lovely scene that you have on the side of your bus, or is it a picture that you carry to all of your concerts? (Help me out of this hole I've dug myself into)

Deon, I'm always digging a hole for myself. Actually, you are right on both counts. At one time, we did drive a tour bus that did have a picture of Meramec Caverns painted on the side. We were the only group in gospel music or in any music, I guess, whose bus was a rolling billboard. Needless to say, we got alot of looks and alot of questions. Now, We simply display a picture on our product table. Who knows. one of these days we may be traveling in another cave bus!

What one place would you love to sing at that the Lesters haven't made it to yet?

We've had the privilege to sing in so many wonderful places. Honestly, I really can't think of one certain location or building in particular. When you've sung in a cave like Meramec Caverns (God's Creation) what else is left except Heaven? That's the ultimate!

What's the funniest thing that you can remember happening on stage in all your years of traveling with the Lesters?

Probably, it was on a television set back when my Grandmother, Mom Lester, was living. I had made a big introduction about how the entire family was about to sing a great old Albert E. Brumley song, "I'll Fly Away." Well, the music started and needless to say it was not "I'll Fly Away"! It was a song entitled "Let Me Travel Along." For some unknown reason, we all just decided to play along and started singing the words to "I'll Fly Away" to the melody of "Let Me Travel Along"! It was a train wreck! One thing led to another and before you knew it, my sainted Grandmother started doing a little jig and flapping her arms like she was flying! I have never laughed so hard in my entire life! Not one of us could gain composure, so we had call off the rest of the filming for that day. This is actually on a video we released that included bloopers.

Is there anything that you would like to address that I haven't asked?

I'll just say that it is our desire to continue doing our best to share the gospel.

Be sure to visit The Lesters website at http://www.thelesters.com. And don't forget to see The Lesters ib concert, Wednesday, July 26, 2006 at the 7th Annual Gospel Music Fan Festival in Smyrna, TN