The Duvall Family - "How Refreshing"
Trion , Georgia is probably the stereotypical sleepy little southern town. The Rand McNally Atlas Company lists their population at 1,700 and I'd say that might be generous. I can envision a couple of stop lights, some mom and pop stores, a gas station and of course a Post Office. I'm sure that Trion is a close community where everyone knows all of their neighbors on a first name basis and of course everything that's going on in town. However, there is something going on in Chattooga County that maybe most residents are not aware of but that many in the Southern Gospel nation are watching with great interest.
The point of interest is The Duvall Family. Jeff Duvall, his wife Amy and best friend Clay Parker make up this curiosity. Weekend after weekend after weekend they load up on their bus and head off across the country to sing the songs they have written. But that's where the similarity with a thousand other groups ends. When the Duvalls step on stage something wonderful happens. People of all sizes, shapes and ages respond to their humble, yet excited, presentation of the timeless Gospel message in song.
Eddie Crook for years has called it "magic". You can't teach it, buy it, steal it or manufacture it. You either have it or you don't. And Eddie should know this rare commodity when he sees it. He has seen it first hand with such artists as The Goodmans and The McKameys. "I can't explain what's going on exactly with The Duvalls, I just know that our Company is liking what we are seeing and the reports that we are hearing. But more importantly, the people across the country are liking what they are seeing and hearing!" states the legendary producer.
Humble beginnings are the foundation that The Duvalls are based upon. All three accepted Christ as their Savior at the ripe old age of seven. Amy and Jeff were both raised in Pastors' homes and grew up in strong churches. In fact as teenagers Jeff, Amy and Clay were all in the same youth group. Amy told this writer "it wasn't long after Jeff came into the picture that we began singing as a trio and we realized that we had something special. All of us loved the Lord and we all loved Southern Gospel Music! So that's what we have been doing ever since!"
In May 1997 Jeff and Amy were married. Their desire to have a family seemed like it would be only a dream due to medical issues. "We were just about ready to give up on ever having children" states Amy. "Just when it seemed hopeless God showed up and showed out! He blessed Jeff and me with two beautiful, healthy children Lucas and Eli! They are true gifts from God and we know in our hearts that they are!"
Clay Parker also comes from a strong spiritual family. Clay told this Singing News Magazine writer "My parents taught my sister and me to fear the Lord and to keep His commandments. I am so grateful of my parents and their unwavering support through the years." Clay is single and resides not far from Amy and Jeff. Clay has a passion for songwriting. He and Jeff pen the vast majority of their material including their current single "Go On Ahead". This heart - wrenching ballad tells the story of Clay's Grandparents and their wonderful love story that spanned sixty-five years of marriage.
If the current trend continues it won't be long until North Georgia sees less and less of The Duvalls. The phone is literally ringing off the hook for appearances by the family. "Right now we have more dates on the books than we ever have had" states Jeff. "We are so blessed!! I just don't understand everything that's going on in our ministry. All I know is that we don't want to ever get a single heart beat in front of the Lord. We have to stay in His will for our individual lives and the group corporately!" As this writer was researching this story, The Duvalls were returning from their most successful weekend ever! The trip had been five nights long and taken the group through several states in the North Eastern part of our country. "The Northeast and the Mid West have been so good to us" Parker said. "We can't wait to go back to those areas!"
MorningStar Records' Dave Wilcox thinks it won't be long until the entire Southern Gospel Music fan base is cognizant of The Duvalls and their music ministry. "These kids are uniquely special! It's been years since I have seen people across the board embrace a new group like they have The Duvalls. The last one I can recall with this kind of launch appeal was The Bishops!" That's tall cotton for these young people to be compared with. Wilcox continued "I am thrilled that radio has jumped on the Duvalls' single "Go On Ahead". From small town markets like Hazard, KY to large markets like Indianapolis to the powerful Solid Gospel Radio Network the response has been exceptional!"
Mr. Crook, Mr. Wilcox and their MorningStar team in an effort to continue to help the Duvalls to grow their ministry this year have formulated many plans. There is a new album in the works, lots of visits planned with media outlets and aggressive tour support just to mention a few. But through it all, you can rest assured that Jeff, Amy, Clay and their families will always remain just humble people in awe of what God is doing in their lives and their music ministry. How refreshing!
he Duvalls can be contacted by calling 706-506-9001 or by writing to 130 Monroe Green Road Trion , GA 30753 or by visiting [url=http://www.theduvallfamily.com]http://www.theduvallfamily.com [/url]
By W. David Seibert
Author: AGM
| Author's Website: http://absolutelygospel.com/
Written: 02/13/2004
| 
Category: ArtistsEddie Crook Artist of the Month
Comments: 6
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Hello to the Duvall family. You probably have already forgotten about us but we were your next door neighbors at the Tupelo Expo. We even sold one of your CD's and a T-Shirts !! sorry, had to throw that in their. You sound great. keep on keepin on. We will be praying for you.
I have heard wonderful things about your group. Several members of our congregation are begging to have you come and sing. Would love to hear from you. Thanks Wendy Bolden Music Director Hill City Baptist church Sugar Valley GA - near Calhoun. Thanks
everthing in that article is ture Jeff,Amy, clay live what they singing and they are so good i am there number one FAN!!!! I love them and I am praying for them from your friend Carey
Whatever happened to these people? I have a couple of their albums (Keep Your Eyes on the Master & Live! at Dry Valley) and would seriously like to know if they still sing or if they're involved in some musical aspirations. Thanks for any information!
They came off the road a few years ago or so. I believe it was due to the birth of a child, but it might have been just the ones they already had. I was fortunate to get their material just in time on their website. I believe it was on clearance and they had already sold out on some. However, later Eddie Crook seemed to have found some (that wasn't there before) and I nabbed it from his site.
BTW, I LOVED "I'm Gonna Live Like He's Alive" and "How Can It Be" from their I Am Not Ashamed CD.
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