Dixie Melody Boys Claim Numerous Top honors
SongGardn Music artists, The Dixie Melody Boys solidified their rise back to the top of Southern Gospel at last nights Southern Gospel Fan Awards held in Pigeon Forge, TN. The SGM Fan Awards are presented by the Christian Voice Magazine and honor the best in Southern Gospel music as chosen by the fans. The night was filled with great performances by the Dixie Melody Boys, Palmetto State Quartet, the Hemphills, Phil Cross, the Diplomats and many more.
The Dixie Melody Boys received the most Top 5 Nominations of any group with eleven nominations including Favorite Album, Song and Video. Hall of fame member Ed O'Neal took home the Favorite Bass Singer award for the second year in a row. Steven Cooper won the Favorite Baritone award. "We are so happy for Steven. As many know, he will be stepping down soon so to have the fans honor him and his five years with us this way is wonderful." said Ed O'Neal. Mike Rogers, who has been with the group just under a year was also honored by being nominated in the Top 5 for Favorite Lead Singer and Young Excelling Artist. Matt Felts won the Favorite Tenor Award having made the Top 5 two years in a row. "Just to be on the list with men like Michael Booth, David Phelps, Brian Free and Jeff Hawes is a huge honor. These men are my heroes. I am so grateful that God has allowed me to sing for him." said Matt Felts. Ending the night on a high note, the Dixie Melody Boys won Favorite Male Quartet for the second year in a row.
The last two years have shown the Dixie Melody Boys are riding high again with no signs of slowing down.
Dixie Melody Boys Partner With Visa Credit Card
The Dixie Melody Boys are proud to announce they have partnered with Visa to offer a Platinum Rewards Card to their fans. "We are excited to be partnered with Visa on this. We have searched for the right partnership that would benefit our fans. This is truly a landmark moment for us and for Southern Gospel music to be connected to such a world wide known company. We encourage our friends and fans to sign up and show their support for the Dixie Melody Boys." said Matt Felts, artist representative for the group. Fans will have their choice of five designs to choose from. For more information, click on the image of one of the new Dixie Melody Boys Platinum Card.
Reunion DVD Nominated By AbsolutelyGospel.com
The Dixie Melody Boys have been honored again with a nomination in the AbsolutelyGospel.com Fan Awards. The group's latest DVD "Reunion: 50 Years Of Influence" has been nominated as favorite special event project of the year. The historic DVD was filmed live at the National Quartet Convention. Over 35 former members were on stage together for the first time. The video is also up for Video Of The Year in the SGM Fan Awards.
Dixie Melody Boys Receive 11 Top Ten Nominations
With the announcement of the 2013 Southern Gospel Music Fan Awards Top Ten nominations yesterday by the Christian Voice Magazine, the Dixie Melody Boys showed that the groups recent rise back to the top of Southern Gospel continues to find new heights. The legendary group received eleven Top Ten nominations, the most the group has ever received in one year. In 2012, the Dixie Melody Boys received seven nominations and went on to win Favorite Male Quartet and Favorite Bass Singer. The group is again nominated for Favorite Male Quartet. Hall Of Fame member Ed O'Neal continues to be favorite to fans after fifty years with the group and was nominated again as favorite Bass Singer as well as the Living Legend Award. Tenor Matt Felts appears for the second year in a row in the Favorite Tenor category, solidifying his place as one of Gospel's brightest young talents. The groups baritone, Celebrating five years with the group, Steven Cooper makes his debut appearance, nominated for Favorite Baritone. Mike Rogers joined the group as their new lead singer earlier in 2012. He has made an instant impact and the fans have embraced him. Mike has been nominated for Favorite Lead Singer and Excelling Young Individual.
The group was also honored by having their recent album receive two nominations, Album Of The Year and Song Of The Year for "The Call Is Still The Same". That is the second song from the historic 50th Anniversary project to receive Song Of The Year honors, Jesus In My Boat was nominated last year. The Dixie Melody released another historic project this year, Dixie Melody Boys Reunion: 50 Years Of Influence. The DVD recorded live at the National Quartet Convention has been nominated as Video Of The Year. Last but not least, the television show "Great American Gospel" hosted by Ed O'Neal and the Dixie Melody Boys was nominated for Favorite Television Show.
"We are honored to be selected by the fans. The lists include so many incredible people that we love and admire so to be included on this list and this is a blessing. We have several big things to announce in the coming weeks and this is a great start to our new year." said Matt Felts.
The voting has started for the next phase in the voting process, fans can go to
http://christianvoicemagazine.com/sgmtop10vote.html
DMB's Return To NQC
The Dixie Melody Boys were back on the main stage at the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, KY. The group performed Tuesday night and Gaither Homecoming star Jason Crabb joined them on stage to sing God Will Hear Your Prayers. Wednesday night, the guys left the crowd on their feet with the help of their All-Star band made of Adam Crabb, Michael Booth, Stewart Varnado, Madison Easter and Randy Shelnut JR. The Dixie Melody Boys appeared again on Friday as part of the Gaither Homecoming Sing. The week finished up on Saturday with Ed O'Neal receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award. "It was wonderful to be back this year. We love the National Quartet Convention and enjoy seeing the other groups and fans from around the world." said Ed O'Neal. Pictures from the week are available on the Gallery page.
Mike Rogers Announced As New Lead Singer
The Dixie Melody Boys announced a few weeks ago that they would be accepting demo's for the lead singer position. They also stated that the new member of this legendary group would be introduced on the main stage at this year’s convention. Over the course of three weeks the group received over 300 applications. "It was an overwhelming response. We didn't expect so many men to apply. It proved to me that there is a lot of talent in Southern Gospel music. As we stated, our plan was to audition several men, take them on the road with us and then announce them in September. Sometimes plans change. “Stated Matt Felts. “As I was going through demo's a voice begin to sing and I knew we had found our next lead singer. Ed listened to his demo and agreed. The moment we met Mike Rogers and heard him sing with us we knew God had brought us the right fit." added Matt.
"Mike started with us the next weekend. The fans have already shown us that we made the right choice. We debuted him at the Absolutely Gospel Fan Fest and Frank Arnolds Songfest in Jackson, TN. After the response he received we knew it wouldn't take long for word to get out online so we altered our plans and decided to move up our announcement. When God moves, you go with it. Mike is a great talent and we are proud to have him." said Ed O'Neal.
Mike Rogers comes to the Dixie Melody Boys from Sandersville, GA. He was a member Kindred Spirit. Mike has a wife named Bekki and they have a beautiful three year old daughter named Coraline. He will be moving to Kinston, NC this week. "It still feels like a dream. I am so excited to be a part of this group. I'm looking forward to all that is in store." said Mike Rogers.
The fans of Southern Gospel music will have several great chances to hear the Mike as the group will be featured at many of the summer’s largest events including Silver Dollar City, the James D Vaughn Quartet Festival, the Albert E Brumley Sing and the National Quartet Convention.
The Dixie Melody Boys will be in the studio shortly to begin wotk on their Sophomore project with Song Garden Music Group. “We are excited to get back in the studio, this project is shaping up to be special. Jason Crabb and David Staton will be producing it so it’s starting off on the right track.” Said Steven Cooper.
“We want to thank each person that applied. We are honored that so many men wanted to be a part of our ministry. “ said Matt Felts.
Jesus In My Boat Climbs Up The Charts
Since its debut last year, the Dixie Melody Boys 50th Anniversary album has received much acclaim. In this years Fan Awards it was nominated as one of the Top 5 Albums Of The Year as well as Song Of The Year. The album continues to be succesful. The group was just informed that their first single from the album, Jesus In My Boat, has climbed the Singing News National charts. The song now holds the #21 spot across the country. The Dixie Melody Boys want to thank their freinds and fans for requesting it on their local radio stations.
Dixie Melody Boys Honored At Fan Awards
The Southern Gospel Music Fan Awards were held May 3, 2012 in Pigeon Forge. The Dixie Melody Boys were nominated in 7 Top 5 categories including Favorite Quartet, Favorite Bass, Favorite Tenor, Favorite Lead, Favorite Album, Favorite Song and Living Legend Award. The Dixie Melody Boys won Favorite Quartet and Ed O'Neal won for Favorite Bass Singer. "We are humbled by this award. We want to thank each and every friend that voted for us." said Steven Cooper.
