Dave and Sugar were one of the most popular vocal groups in country music from the mid-'70s through the early '80s. Lead singer Dave Rowland was the son of a minister whose career included singing with J D Sumner and the Stamps Quartet and others. In 1975 Dave and Sugar released their first single, "Queen of the Silver Dollar," and had a Top 25 hit. In 1976 Dave & Sugar had their first number one hit, "The Door Is Always Open," followed by "I'm Gonna Love You", "Knee Deep In Love With You", "Tear Time," and "Golden Tears". Dave and Sugar's last bit of chart success came in 1981 with two Top 40 hits, including "It's a Heartache," and the Top Ten hit "Fool By Your Side."
SGN was fortunate to catch up with Dave and reminisce about his illustrious career.
Deon: More years ago than either of us care to remember, you and I were at the Stamps School of Music in Waxahatchie, TX. I believe you were singing with a group out of California back then. Was that your first group experience?
Dave: The first Group I was in was the Revivalairs Quartet. Ralph Dean was the founder of the group and I joined as the piano player. After a while the lead singer left the group and I started playing and singing lead. It went OK doing both but I asked Ralph if I could just sing lead, and for him to look for another piano player and he said sure. I thought I could sing better than play piano.
Deon: Had you been singing with anyone else before that?
Dave: This was the first group I was in.
Deon: What other training did you have in your singing career besides that Stamps School?
Dave: I started singing on my Dad's knee in church when I was 4 years old. I sang in church choirs, solos, youth rallies and church summer camps. The only training I had was when I went to Fullerton Jr. College. I took a voice class one semester. I didn't like it so I didn't take it anymore. I really enjoyed the Stamps School of Music because of the variety of classes you could take that was all about being in a quartet. The Stamps School of Music had a major effect on me with what I wanted to do with my life, and that was sing. There are great memories from the Stamps School of Music!
Deon: Tell us a little of your history in Gospel Music. What groups did you sing with.
Dave: The Revivalairs Quartet, The Weatherford Quartet, Don Smith and the Gospelairs Quatet, Orginal member of Coy Cook and the Senators Quartet, Jerry and the Singing Goffs, J. D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet.
Deon: What was it like to sing with the Stamps backing Elvis?
Dave: THE MOST ELECTRIFYING, AWESOME, EXCITING, WONDERFUL, FULFILLING, FANTASTIC, UNIMAGINABLE, FEELING A SINGER COULD HAVE, BAR NONE. It is hard to put into words. Elvis would feature the Stamps at each show and have us sing "How Great Thou Art." Elvis would come over and stand by us while we sang and would smile and sing along with us (off mike) and tell us, "Great Job Guys." Elvis loved gospel music and J. D. Sumner. We would go up to his suite every night after a show and gather around the piano and sing gospel music. Elvis would try and sing the bass part and we had lots of fun listening to him try. Elvis would end up saying, "Oh you sing it J. D."
I also did karate with Elvis. I wasn't allowed to strike but just defend as Elvis would show me a new move he had just learned. Elvis always said to me "If I break it I will replace it." Elvis had his karate instructors come to Las Vegas to work out with him. Elvis was always very polite and pleasant to be around in his suite. We had a lot of laughs and fun. I still miss being on stage with him, doing karate, singing in his suite after the shows, but the memories are "priceless."
Deon: What was it like singing with J. D. Sumner?
Dave: I first met J. D. Sumner at a gospel singing concert at the Long Beach Municipal Auditorium. I was still in high school and singing with my first quartet, The Revivalaires. The Blackwood Brothers Quartet, (J. D. Sumner-bass, Cecil Blackwood-baritone, James Blackwood-lead, Bill Shaw- tenor, and Jackie Marshall-piano, The Statesmen Quartet with Hovie Listor on piano, Big Chief Wellinton-bass, Doyle Ott-baritone, Jake Hess-lead, Rosie Rozell-tenor, The Speer Family, Ben and Brock Speer, Jeannie, and others, and The Florida Boys, Les Beasley lead, Darrel Stewart piano, (canít remember rest of their names) were on the concert. Hey, this was a long time ago. I forget my cell number all the time because I never call it!
Anyway I met J. D. that evening at the autograph table where they sold their albums. He was very tall, very fit, nice head of hair, nice black suit and tie, and he talked as low as he sang. No, he actually sang a lot lower! I have never heard a bass singer like J. D. Sumner, and never will! I bought every Blackwood Quartet album they had from J. D. and told him I sang lead in a local quartet, The Revivalaires, with Ralph Dean, the founder. Ralph and J.D. became great friends as Ralph brought the Stamps to California many times for concerts. J. D. wished me the best, took my money with his big smile and I went on to the other tables to buy their records. They took my money with a smile also, but not as big as J. D. I went home and played the Blackwoodsí records and played the piano and tried to sing bass like J. D. Kept Mom and Dad up all night. It was unbelievable how J. D. could sing bass. Never tried that again! Man that was the most expensive concert I ever went to . Working at the car wash during the summer didn't pay much.
A year or two later the concert came back to Long Beach Municipal Auditorium with Poly Grimes as the promoter and a dream came true. The Revivalaires Quartet was going to be the opening act. This time J. D. Sumner had left the Blackwoods and had bought the rights to The Stamps Quartet, and it was now, J. D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet. J. D.- bass, Billy Blackwood-baritone, Donnie Sumner-lead, Jim Hill-tenor, and Tony Brown (Tarzan) piano. The Revivalaires Quartet opened the concert and J. D. Sumner was backstage and heard our songs. We were very well received by the audience as they knew us from singing around Southern California, San Diego, and north to San Francisco. I came off the stage and J. D. was there so I said hello. I told him I met him when he was with the Blackwoods and bought all their records. His big smile came on his face and he said he remembered and he hoped I enjoyed them.
I'm not sure if he remembered or not, but it didn't matter because it sure made me feel good. J. D. was that kind of man. He was always positive and someone who you loved to hear talk because his bass voice, even in speech, made you want to listen. J. D. then said something to me that took my breath away and gave me goose bomps. He said to me, "If I ever have an opening in the Stamps I would like to call you for an audition."
Man, I about fainted. After several deep breaths I got a pen and gave him my home phone number. I knew that night I had to get to Nashville to live. If there was an opening to sing in the Stamps I knew I wanted to be in Nashville so I could audition and not be so far away in California. When you need a singer you might need one the next weekend. I finally made it to Nashville and went to J. D's office and gave Don Butler my phone number. After three years and singing in the Senators and the Singing Goffís, which we did shows with the Stamps, I got the call to audition to sing baritone in the Stamps. What a wonderful phone call! I auditioned and got the job and joined J. D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet. J. D. kept his word and gave me the audition. J. D. was wonderful to work for and sing with. What a singer and entertainer he was. I love you J. D. and will always remember the memories that again were "priceless."
Deon: Did you go straight into Country Music after leaving the Stamps?
Dave: Yes. This was the hardest music decision I ever had to make.
Deon: How did you get a break into Country Music?
Dave: I got a call from Gary Buck who had been in gospel music and was now in a group called, The Four Guys, and asked me if I would consider joining the group. They were touring with Charley Pride. I had a meeting with them and sang a few songs and they offered me part ownership in the group, so I made the decision to join them. I was with them a year and they decided to bring back the guy that I replaced because I was getting "too much attention on stage." All I wanted to do was get a record deal with a major label and have our own records like the Statler Brothers. We were signed with RCA records and recorded one single, but when they let me go, the record label, RCA, released them. I guess I got fired!
Deon: Were you ever a part of the Grand Ole Opry?
Dave: Yes. The Four Guys were regular members of the Opry at that time. We were always there on the weekends when we weren't on tour with Charley Pride.
Deon: What influence did Charley Pride have on your Country Music Career.
Dave: Charley Pride and Jerry Bradley at RCA records had a big influence on me. After the Four Guys I decided to start my own group. I saw Charley Pride at Papa Leonies, an Italian restaurant that I was working at as a singing waiter. I was auditioning people at home for my own group. Charley said come audition when you get it together. Jerry Bradley also encouraged me to start my own group. I got my group together and auditioned for Charley and he liked the sound and hired my group for one show, April 19, 1975. We opened his show and got a standing ovation. After the show Charley asked me what are you doing the rest of the year. I said, "I donít have any other dates." Charley asked if I would open his show the rest of the year. I said, "absolutely, that would be great" ( thinking to myself I have no other dates). Being on the Charley Pride show lead to getting experience with my group and getting an RCA recording contract. I will always be thankful to Charley Pride and Jerry Bradley for the opportunity they gave me to become a recording artist. I will also be thankful for all the fans that liked Dave and Sugar and bought our records. They were the ones that kept Dave and Sugar on the road for 25 years. Thank you fans! You are also "priceless."
Deon: What influence did your Gospel Music experience have on the sound you produced with Dave and Sugar?
Dave: A big influence. I always loved harmonies in songs. Gospel Quartets always had harmonies with a bass, baritone, lead, and tenor singer. Marty Robbins' song, "El Paso" with all the harmonies, got me listening to Country Music. I was fortunate enough to do shows with Marty and tell him that personally.
Dave: Yes. After I got the group together I started thinking about a name for it. Hey, it isn't easy to just come up with a group name. Going into town one morning it just came to me. Dave and Sugar, sugar and spice everything nice, two girls could be the sugar. I told RCA about the name and they liked it so there you have it--Dave and Sugar became our recording name and stage name.
Deon: What was your greatest accomplishment with Dave and Sugar?
Dave: It's hard to say I have a greatest accomplishment. There were so many great things that happened to me and my group over the 25 years I was touring. I don't know if this is an accomplishment but getting fired from the Four Guys was a blessing in disguise. I guess I had to sing and work hard to have that happen. That's why I started my own group so that couldn't happen again. Things weren't always easy. There were times I thought I'd made some wrong decisions. After I got my group together here are some of the things I was BLESSED with. Touring with Charley Pride, what a good guy. Getting signed with a major record label, RCA records. Thank you Jerry Bradley and Chet Atkins. Having 5 number one records. Thanks to all the RCA promotional departments. Hearing our first record "Queen of the Silver Dollar" on the radio the first time. I stopped in the driveway and just sat there and listened with goose bumps on goose bumps. Man what a rush that was! Being voted Billboard Magazineís "Group of the Year," 1977 and "Singles Group of the Year" in 1979. Being a Finalist four years in a row for "Group of the Year," from the Country Music Association. "Most Promising International New Talent Award," from the Wembly Festival in London. All the television appearances,
"The Today Show," "Dinah Shore," "Pop Goes Country," "Nashville On The Road," "Hee Haw," "Dance Fever," "Solid Gold," "Nashville Now," "Special Delivery" HBO/ With Dottie West, "Dave and Sugar Special on BBC in Christ Church, New Zealand," Presenters on the "Country Music Association Awards Show," and the "Academy of Country Music Awards Show."
Dave and Sugar traveled to many other countries to do concerts. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Tazmania, Japan, Scotland, Ireland, Europe, Greece, Turkey, Spain, West Germany, Italy, where we did a command performance for the Mayor of Rome. These are some of the things that I have been blessed with as I can't really list them all as this would become a book. There were a lot of people that helped Dave and Sugar accomplish so many things. I will always be greatful to everyone who helped us accomplish these things, and to our fans who supported us. They are all "PRICELESS."
Deon: Were you involved in the record producing industry for a while?
Dave: The only producing I did was with Dave and Sugar. Jerry Bradley and I worked together on all our songs. I did a lot of the mixing of our songs as I knew where the melody was and where the harmony parts were. I did work with Jimmy Bowen on one album and with James Stroud on my solo album.
Deon: What did you do after Dave and Sugar?
Dave: After 25 years on the road with Dave and Sugar and not to mention the years in gospel music, I just relaxed awhile and chilled. Took some trips to Hawaii, Destin, Florida, Myrtle Beach and to see my family in Palm Desert, California. I took my wife, Terri, to Zurich, Switzerland and to Lake Lagono in northern Italy and a train ride to Paris for our 20th wedding anniversary. Also have been doing "honey do's" and remodeling every room in our house, for the second time. Man I wish I was on the road again, like the song. This remodeling is hard work. Doing music is fun! I'm playing tennis at least two times a week and playing golf in between all the other stuffî.
Deon: Do you ever get the itch to call three other guys and just do some good ole Gospel singing?
Dave: Gospel Quartets have always been a big part of my music life. I started my singing career listening to quartets and going to concerts watching them and then Ralph Dean gave me the opportunity to be a part of the Revivalaires Quartet. I was still in high school. I even had to go sing with a cast on my ankle, that was broken from playing football in high school.
I had a wonderful thing happen to me before I retired from the road. J. D. Sumner called me one day and asked me what I was doing. I told him I was in between dates and was just chillin. J. D. said, "My bus is broke down and I need a bus to do some dates that are coming up, can the Stamps use your bus?" I told J. D. sure you can. J. D. then said that the only way he would use my bus would be if I would go with them on their trip. I looked at my schedule and it was at a time I could go. Man was I excited and couldnít wait to go on the road with J. D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet and they were using my bus. Well we left to go on their tour dates and J. D. said, "Dave I want you to sing a song on each one of our shows." I said Huh, as I was catching my breath. I really didn't think I was hearing him correctly. J. D. said I want you to sing the song that you always sang when you were with the Stamps, the song, "I Know." I told J. D. I'd be honored to sing with you and the Stamps again. Well, I sang the song each night on the concerts they had and what a wonderful feeling it was. I felt like I was a member of J. D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet again! Yes I do miss singing the good ole gospel quartet songs. It would be nice to sing some good ole gospel songs in a quartet again.
Deon: Are you doing any singing these days?
Dave: The only singing I do now is when I'm at a celebrity golf or tennis tournament and at the awards ceremony at the end when they have a band and ask me to sit in and sing a song. That's always fun to do. Oh by the way, I do sing in the shower! Good sound in there!
Note: Dave's father recently passed away. Dave had this to say about him. "He was a man that I could never fill his shoes. Dad was an ordained minister and was a man that the world needs more of. Dad was so loved by all of his natural family and his church family. He always had a kind word, a smile on his face, love in his heart for everyone, and wisdom that everyone would seek. My Dad supported me throughout my music career and he was my Hero. I miss him dearly."
Author: SGN
| Author's Website: http://sogospelnews.com/
Written: 08/01/2007
| 
Category: Feature Articles
Comments: 6
RSS Feed
| (What's an RSS feed?)
Ads Sponsored by Southern Spin
If I'm not mistaken, the first recording Dave ever did was with The Revivalairs at my Dad's, (Wayne Walters, see the article about him), studio in Lakewood, California. Dave and I talk about that every time I see him. Great to hear about Dave. I think about him often.
Wonderful interview. Thank you Deon and Dave.
Tony Partigianoni
http://www.ksgm.com/images/gospel.gif
Pure SGM & Quartet-Style Singing
http://www.ksgm.com
Deon, this is the kind of info we absolutely cherish - hearing about greats from the past. Think Dave was on J. D.'s album produced by Gaither, wasn't he?
Enjoyed hearing about your life Dave.
tiger61
The album the Stamps recorded with Dave, JD, Ed Enoch, Bill Baize and Ronnie Mabe with "I'll never pass this way again" is a classic. I always enjoyed Dave and Sugar. Their harmonies were excellent and their sound was innovative. I still have their LP with "Knee Deep" on it.
I always thought Dave and Sugar were one of the greatest -- and most unique -- groups in Country music. They were part of the soundtrack of my teenage dating years. Fond memories indeed.("Tear Time" was their best album bar none).
I wonder what they coulda done had they went Gospel. They ceratinly had the sound..
Thanks Dave Rowland. You're one of my heroes.
I love the article you made coz its very informative.
Page 1 of 1 Comment Pages
