History
The group was founded in 1961 by Avis Adkins; 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.
Read more about this topic: Dixie Melody Boys
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