I was very curious as we started this interview. McCray Dove is a young man who owns a fairly new group that sings with an older sound. A sound that includes performing many of the old classics. Was this young man going to blend in with the older traditional ideas or would he have fresh new ideas?
Having started with a very traditional group, the Dixie Melody Boys, McCray wentstraight into forming his own group, the Dove Brothers. By his description, McCray considers the Dove Brothers a traditional Southern Gospel quartet. Loving the 50s and 60s Gospel music, he wanted to promote and preserve that style of music. His dream is to keep that style alive.
McCray states that many have accused him of trying to be the old Statesmen Quartet, and while he considers that a compliment he admits that there is only one Statesmen Quartet, and there will never be another one. However, according to McCray, if they can institute the work ethics of practicing and practicing, and performing with the professionalism of the old Statesmen, he thinks that he can improve the quality of SGM and hopefully instill that into up and coming groups.
In the days when the Blackwoods and Statesmen were recording for RCA, the record company unsuccessfully tried to persuade those two groups not to carry their new projects on their tables, but to instead let the record company stir some excitement about the new albums by putting them in the stores first, causing the public to request their music to be played on the radio. In his opinion this is one mistake that the older generation made. While giving in to the temptation for immediate income from table sales, they missed the corporate advantage that other genres have had by being available for purchase in better venues such as Bookstores, Wal-Mart and the such.
While always being a 'go-getter" on stage, he is concerned about the heritage of this great music. Trying to see the writing on the walls, the Dove Brothers are going to do what others have failed to do. In January, they will be releasing a Mosie Lister tribute album, and they will be the first Southern Gospel Quartet to release a project and not carry it on their table for 90 to 120 days. Will this work? Maybe, then again, maybe not, but the Dove Brothers are taking the initiative to be creative in their marketing approach, in hopes of bringing Southern Gospel into the 21st century of good business and marketing stategies. In turn, this will hopefully bring the genre of SGM to the attention of a vast audience that we are not reaching.
Now, if this works, it brings us to another area that McCray sees missing from Southern Gospel Music today. McCray says that if we can get the numbers from product sales up, to show to corporate businesses, then large corporations may be willing to get behind our music. Look out Dove Candy Bars, here comes McCray.
McCray also realizes the need to have diversity of styles in SGM. McCray says, �We don�t need another Dove Brothers, we need other good groups out there like the Crabb Family, singing that country style, and the Gaither Vocal Band singing that progressive style. There is a place for all these styles in Southern Gospel Music. We need to have a big umbrella in Southern Gospel Music.� McCray�s dream is to put together a big enough program and diverse enough program to attract the doctors and the lawyers, who may not come to the church building, but would come to an event that was entertaining enough that they would come to see and spend their money the same as they would a country program. McCray says, "don�t worry about the ministry, because as long as we are singing the message of SGM, there will always be ministry."
McCray would like to see something in Southern Gospel Music comparable to Fan Fair in Country Music. Something that shows the fans that they are appreciated. He feels that this would really instill some excitement in Southern Gospel Music. This idea is something that he is working hard on.
McCray is excited to be a part of the NQCs new Advisory Board, and after talking to McCray, I�m excited to see that some new and exciting ideas will at least be presented for discussion.
I was pleasantly surprised to see that there is some young blood in our industry that recognizes the need to change some of the things and the ways that Southern Gospel Music is headed. Hopefully some of the leaders of this industry will listen closely to the ideas that some of our younger artists, like McCray, have to offer. If they do, SGM will be alive and well for years to come.
Author: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Written: 10/31/2003
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Category: Feature Articles
Comments: 12
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If McCray can implement these ideas and convince others of the potential, it could mean great things for the SG industry. I'm afraid he will be mis-understood or ignored by those too stuck in the way "we've always done it," but at least he's putting the ideas on the table.
Thank you for a great interview, Deon. McCray has some wonderful ideas to consider.
I trust that his respect for the past and his insight for the future will help gospel music reach new heights in the coming years.
Not only has McCray accomplished things other folks said he would not be able to do, he is still on the right track. With McCray SGM is on the right track.
McCray started at a young age with one of the veterans and he listened and learned. A good man who has a firm grasp of where he's going but more importantly, who is leading.
Dean
I just got one thing to say...McCray is the man!
:thumbsup: I didn't think anyone else could market SGM other that Gaither but McCray, I'm behind you all the way and pray God's blessings on your ministry. Thank you for not leaving out the ministry. That's what it is all about, not just singing.
:cool:Alright McCray! I believe it will work. God Bless!
Eddie Reynolds
Leviticus Trio
I have known McCray Dove for many years. I remember the "kid" that would rather sing gospel music than do anything else. He is a fine man now.. and feels the same about the music as he did back then. I am very proud of McCray's accomplishments so far,..and excited about his future. Thanks for the interview Deon.. great job!
:whistle: Hang in there and keep producing those old convention style songs. They have conviction about them. I praise God for the Dove Brothers. I believe this music can lead more to Christ than any other. Keep up the good work.
And yes I want the first copy of the Tribute to Mosie Lister. What a great songwriter!!! And he is still going strong.
Margaret Allison
Go get'em McCray..... more power to you and God's blessings for sure.
We like the songs and the quartets that sung them during the 50's and 60's. Blackwoods, Statesmen, Blue Ridge, Oak Ridge....oh there were so many many more. Just don't overload your singing with too much background noise though.
Glenn Camp
"improve the quality of SGM"?
I can't even make out the words to Get Away Jordan or Didn't It Rain.
I am not fond of the antics performed by McCray onstage; I don't think it's professional at all. I don't remember other groups jumping around the stage and getting silly.
Are you kidding? That's what I love about a quartet! I can't stand watching unhumorous, bor-r-r-ing, stuck-up artists who look like they need to get over themselves. Just my 2 cents.
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