Dixie Echoes
As a kid growing up, I can remember seeing the Gospel Jubilee Singing Program on television every Sunday morning as we were getting ready for church. That was a long time ago, and the Dixie Echoes are still ticking. Give us a little History of the group.
The group was started in 1960 in Pensacola, Fl by J.G Whitfield. A couple of years later, Dale Shelnut joined the group, and was one of the most popular singers on the Gospel Singing Jubilee TV show. Quite a few recognizable names have been with the group, such as Larry Ford, Tim Riley, Garry Jones, Jack Toney, and Billy Todd. The current group consists of Scoot Shelnut, Stewart Varnado, Randy Shelnut Sr., Pat Barker and Wesley Smith. Pat and Wesley are the new guys, and they are doing a fantastic job.
As I said in the previous question, the Dixie Echoes have been around a long time. What is the continuity that has kept the group going for all these years?
Even though members may have changed, the group has always had a very consistent sound. We've always done our own thing, and I think that sets us apart from other quartets.
With all of the modern marvels in sound and equipment, the Dixie Echoes use only a piano to sing to and two old-fashioned microphones to sing with. I believe that this started out as a small part of your program, but has escalated into your whole program. Whose brainstorm was this, and how is it being accepted by the crowds you sing to?
It all started for us at the Grand Ole Gospel Reunion 6 or 7 years ago. We were there on a night where the only things used were 2 mics and a piano. No tracks were allowed by the promoter. We were a little scared at first, but after singing that way for just a couple of songs, we knew there was a different energy, and feeling from what we were used to. Soon after that, we started doing a few songs in our second half of the program with the 2 mics, and eventually we graduated to doing it full time about 5 years ago. Dad was the mastermind behind the whole thing, but he did ask our opinions. We unanimously said we wanted to try something different...and this was different. Night after night we have people come up and thank us for "being able to hear the words!"
Scoot, I'm sure that there are advantages to traveling with your Dad all the time like he's always there is you need to borrow a couple of bucks, but are there any specific disadvantages? Specifically, does he cramp your style with the ladies?
Actually, he usually "forgets" his wallet when we go eat or go into Wal-Mart, so he usually "borrows" money from me. haha. There aren't any disadvantages travelling with my dad. He's always been there for me no matter what I needed, and is one of the best singers and bus mechanics on the planet. How can you go wrong with that? As far as the style cramping goes....I have no style to cramp, so I guess the answer to that is no. haha. He used to try to fix me up when I was a teenager, but now that I'm nearly 30, that would just be kind of sad. haha
A few months ago you guys were faced with the unfortunate event of having your bus catch on fire. Tell us about the difficulties and triumphs of going through such a situation.
Wow, that was not a fun time in our lives. We rode in cars, motorhomes, and SUV's from August until November. I think I rode a bicycle to a couple of dates. haha. But we ended up with a much better bus, and of course, God was faithful through that whole ordeal, just like he has been time and again. We never missed a date due to lack of transportation.
Since your program consists of four men and a piano around two microphones, what are you guys doing to attract young people to your concerts?
The first thing you may notice about us is that we're always having a good time, and smiling. Whether it be the piano player acting crazy, or one of us trying to make the other one laugh, it's always interesting. We've been able to bridge the generation gap with a mixture of good songs, and humor to keep old and young people coming to see us.
I have seen the Dixie Echoes in the church setting as well as the concert setting. Is there a difference in how you prepare or perform in each setting? Do you prefer one over the other?
There isn't much difference really. On the concert events, we dont have as much time as we would in a church setting, so we choose songs that people have asked for, or some of our favorites. We love singing with other groups too. It's nice to relax, and listen to someone else for a change.
Is there a favorite song that is performed every night that you just really enjoy singing? What makes it so much fun? Is there a song that the Dixie Echoes have been singing for a long time because of the way it touches the lives of your audience? If you had but one more song and them you were to hang it up forever, what would that song be and why?
We've been doing one called "I'm Gonna Move To The Sky" that my grandpa did with the Tennesseeans and Rhythmmasters. It's pretty fast, and has some nice harmonies in it, and it's become one of our favorites. People still ask for "How Great Thou Art" nearly every night. Messages like that will bless people for generations to come.
If I could do 1 song before I packed it up, it would be "Little Is Much." Sometimes we think our job for the kingdom of God is small, and nobody notices. It may be singing, or preaching, or vaccuming the church, whatever it is, if God is in the middle of it, then LITTLE IS MUCH!
Visit The Dixie Echoes online at http://www.dixieechoes.com
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[4] Comments
Very nice interview of this wonderful group! Can't wait to see these guys again!
Last weel, I just watched a video of young Randy Shelnut playing the bass guitar on stage - while watching his Dad, Dale Shelnut, cutting up while singing "Trouble in My Way". 
Written: 06/15/2008 
Author: SGN
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