Details:
genre:
location:
Rockledge FL, USA
bio:
There really is family and tradition in the Sweet Water Junction Band...
It all started in 1949, Porter McDowell became a member of the legendary Indiana Redbirds. While with them, a song was written,"Cowboy Auctioneer". This song, as preformed by Tex Ritter, went to the top ten on the 1951 Country Western charts. Porter McDowell continued to work steady during the pioneer days of live country radio programs in several area bands. The 1st national country music radio show, WLS, of Chicago, IL, aired their WLS Barn Dance which Porter played many times. In 1957 he joined up w/ The Midwestern Trio & continued his radio work along w/ local television footage of their music. The Band, "SLIM" Adams, Johnny Loveday with Porter appeared many times at Historical Buck Lake Ranch in Angola Indiana, know as the "Nashville of the North". During that career he had the opportunity to work alongside; Tex Ritter, Roy Rogers, Roy Acuff, Little Jimmy Dickens, & Carl Smith to name a few, who would appear at the Buck Lake Ranch in IN. The name Porter McDowell was in the old Country Music Hall of Fame Museum. This was the beginning of a family tradition that is still alive today.
Porter's son David McDowell, born 6/11/52 was surrounded by the musical influence of his father as he grew up. In his early 20's, he met well established Nashville songwriter, Billy Nix. Billy had a group called Billy Nix & the Ideals. Dave became an Ideal playing bass for Billy until mid 1979. This opened up many opportunities to learn the business as he worked in concert, club, & studio environments. It was during this time that David met & married his wife, SherryJo Holland. In late 1979 Dave started his own country / country rock band called "Sweet Water Junction Band". This band proved to be a popular, high energy country band. Dave played lead guitar, sang bass & shared lead vocals w/ Sam Moffett Jr, the bass player, & Scott Page, the drummer. His wife, Sherry ran the lights & sound board. The SWJ Band has a past career that included working w/ many other Country artist, some as well known as; Dave Dudley, Del Reeves, Sonny Wright & Peggy Sue Webb, sister of Loretta Lynn. In 1988, Dave, while continuing in music, moved his family from Ft Wayne, IN to Sunny FL.
Through-out this musical journey & move, David & SherryJo kept busy raising their 8 children. Yet, still interested in music after their move, most of their time was spent in raising children. W/ the older children being musically inclined, in 1995 the entire family started off on a faith journey that lasted 6½ yrs as they traveled throughout the nation. During this time, known widely as The McDowell Family, they were performing their own brand of, mostly original, Southern Gospel numbers... performing in hundreds of churches, festivals, & concert halls through-out the United States. During this time they recorded 7 musical projects. During those travels they appeared with some well known National Gospel Groups such as; The Hoppers, The McKiethens, John Rowsey w/ New Journey, The Freemans, Phiefers, Wisnauts, Primitive Quartet, Kirk Talley, and countless regional groups. As the children grew & married, they once again settled in FL.
Today this talented family is still busy at work performing primarily in FL and Southern GA. They are in the process of expanding their performance area once again.In 2001 they changed the format of their music, going back to their original roots of Country. Their song selections come from New/Classic Country, to Southern Rock and a little variety of some all time favorites. Performing popular cover songs, they also write their own music, which they publish through their own publishing company; Golden Stair Music. They record at their own Studio, IHS Productions, Inc. Presently they are working on a project which includes a little Bluegrass & Country Blues. The title of this new project will be: "Sometimes it's Blue"
After you hear & see SWJ Band, you will definitely understand why this family feels the need to continue on with the family tradition
website:
http://www.sweetwaterjunctionband.comPhotos:
Photo: Sweet Water Junction Band, home of Reshana Marie and Tasha
Photo: Reshana Marie and Tasha
Photo: Reshana Marie and tasha
Photo: Sweet Water Junction Band
