1. Before we start talking about the Dove Brothers new album - let's take a minute and talk about their new #1 hit "Hold On." What was the inspiration for that song?
I really wish that there was some grand story to go along with this song - but there really isn't! I had the idea of just writing a song that encouraged believers to hold on - it won't be long before we get to see Jesus face to face! I think the song turned out pretty good! The people who have come out to our concerts have really enjoyed the song!
2. This is only the second song to reach #1 on the Singing News Chart for you guys. The first was the ministry minded "I Can Pray". "Hold On" seems to be strikingly different in topic and musical approach. Why do you think radio has attached to both songs so well?
That is an interesting question - one that we contemplate often on the bus. We have yet to really figure out what it is that radio wants from us! Sometimes, it's a more ministry oriented song like "I Can Pray" or "One More Miracle" - and then other times they want a more fluffy, drive-time song like "Hold On" or "Anything But Ordinary." We just try to make the music that we make, and we hope that something we do will connect with program directors and listeners. "Hold On" has done very well for us, and we are honored that radio thought enough of it to take it to #1! We're excited about our new single too - "If I Knew Then"!
3. The Dove Brothers have been on a musical journey over the last 5 years that has seen the group go from being a straight ahead traditional quartet to a group with a solid country sound. Explain that process for us.
I get this kind of question all the time - about why we changed the Dove Brothers sound - and the only answer I can give them is that it's just the Dove Brothers - one song at a time. We sing the kind of stuff that we enjoy listening to and that the people that enjoy our music and come out to our concerts like from us. For us - we started moving towards that more country sound because it was what we liked - and obviously it has resonated with the fans of Southern Gospel music as well. We're excited about the direction that we are heading in - and you never really know what the Dove Brothers will record next. HA!
4. Tell us about your new recording - Unshakeable!
Unshakeable is similar to our last few releases in that we've written and found some really great new tunes, but at the same time we dove back into the the 1970s and 1980s and found some real gems there to cover as well. We took on The Imperials' "Oh Buddha" and Dixie Echoes' "Good Ole Gospel Song" - with our spin on them as well. We also covered Won By One's #1 hit "King Jesus." Rascal Flatts has a hit song out now called "Unstoppable" that we decided to try and featured Jerry Martin on, and it is out of this world. It's a little bit of everything that we've been known for over the last few years!
5. Many of the responses generated from the new release say that it sounds like most of these songs will interpret well with your new live band. Was that intentional?
By all means. We've loved having the new band on stage with us each night - and most of these songs were chosen because of how easily they would translate in a live setting with a band. The guys have been doing an incredible job on these songs!
6. Introduce your new band to us.
Having the band on the road with us has made this the most exciting time to be on the road with this group. Adam Harman is our new piano player and most people know him from his time with the Kingdom Heirs. He's doing a great job for us! Devin Dove place the drums for us, and he is Eric's teenage son. Marc Peele rounds out the band playing bass for the Dove Brothers. They are doing so well, and the response from folks on the road has been amazing!
7. What has the response been like in regards to the new band?
These guys are all around great players and wonderful men of God. They add a great new dimension to our live sound. People really have enjoyed the spontaneity that they provide in our concerts, and they pick up on things real quick. It really has given the Dove Brothers a new energy, and we are so excited about what the future holds for us!
8. You recently announced that you guys would be hitting up more fairs and festivals this year. What are the thoughts behind that?
Southern Gospel artists used to sing at fairs and festivals all the time in the 1980s and 1970s - and unfortunately we've let that go. We've settled in on singing in churches now, but there's a big market there for singing to folks that have never heard of Southern Gospel music at these events. We hope that we can break in to this market not just so the Dove Brothers can succeed - but hopefully so that it will open doors for other artists to present their version of Gospel music to a new audience and so Southern Gospel can be heard by even more people. This is a great opportunity for us, and we look forward to where we go from here with it.
9. The Dove Brothers have always been one of the most forward-thinking groups out there. What can we expect from the group next?
Oh - you guys know me. I always have a few ideas up my sleeve! HA! I guess everyone will just have to wait and see where we go from here. You never know where the Dove Brothers will show up next!
10. Any additional information you would like to share?
Well first of all, we would like to thank all of you who are trying to make Southern Gospel music bigger and better with the Lord's help. We want to thank the fans for their support, and we thank God for his blessings. We have a new tour that we are working on for the fall and next year so be looking out for those dates. Also, be sure and call your local radio station and request our new single - "If I Knew Then"!
Author: AGM
| Author's Website: http://absolutelygospel.com/
Written: 08/09/2010
| 
Category: Feature Articles
Comments: 1
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I like how they said they are doing fairs like its a new idea. He implied thsat no one does them anymore. Almost all the top groups do several and how many remember just a couple years ago that Monument Quartet did almost all fairs. McCray has always taken others ideas and tried to make it seem fresh.
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