Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

Dove Brothers’ Hold On Named One of 2009’s Best by SoGospelNews.com

Recording Lands On 4 Out of 5 “Staff Picks” Lists

BLADENBORO, N.C. – Multi-award winning quartet the Dove Brothers started 2010 with a bang with news that last year’s release – Hold On – was named one of the best recordings of 2009 according to the staff of SoGospelNews.com.

Hold On – the Dove Brothers’ 14th studio release – landed on four out of five “Staff Picks” lists – a yearly feature on the popular e-zine that highlight’s the writing staff’s choices for the best releases of the previous year.

Several of the writers had great things to say:

“The Dove Brothers Quartet CD is as good of quartet singing as quartet singing gets,” said Deon Unthank, site administrator and reviewer.

James Hales, longtime reviewer and respected critic stated, “This isn’t the Dove Brothers from 5 years ago, or 10 years ago…this is the Dove Brothers of today. They continue to refresh themselves musically and give listeners something new and exciting with each release.”

“Every time you think you have these guys figured out, they come up with a fresh way to present and brand themselves,” remarked Southern Gospel historian John Scheideman. “This countryesque turn seems to fit them very nicely.”

In addition, the critics praised lead vocalist and group owner/manager McCray Dove’s newfound vocal interpretation as something of which to take note:

Reviewer Chris Unthank said, “The Oak Ridge Boys meet the Statesmen with this release – and McCray Dove has poured out some of his strongest and most personal vocals to date.”

Deon Unthank continued in regards to Dove’s vocal performances, “I thought on the first song that George Jones was being used as a guest artist, but it was McCray Dove doing some low down country singing.”

Hold On’s debut single – “A Little Good News” – also landed the group a Top 20 hit of the year – as the song ended up at #15 on the SoGospelNews.com Top 40 Weekly Chart’s year-end tally. The second single, the McCray Dove penned “Hold On,” is already making waves at radio – breaking into the Top 5 of the SoGospelNews.com Top 40 Weekly Chart after only three weeks on the radio airplay chart.

McCray Dove responded, “Words can not express how blessed we feel at this moment. Hold On is an album where we really feel like we hit our stride.  To see it recognized in such a way is a really nice bonus!”

Be listening for the group’s current single – “Hold On” – at Southern Gospel radio all across the country.

More information on the Dove Brothers can be found at http://dovebrothersquartet.com

Dove Brothers Announce D’vine Relationship

BLADENBORO, N.C. – The Dove Brothers, one of Southern Gospel’s most acclaimed quartets, have teamed up with lifelong friend Ron Taylor, one of North Carolina’s most acclaimed manufacturers, to create an exciting new product known as Dove Brothers “Spreading the Word” Muscadine Grape Jelly, straight from the vineyards of Bladen County.

“It’s made just down the road from where we were born,” McCray Dove notes. “That’s one of the reasons we’re so excited about this. We’ve known Ron all of our lives, and we’re all proud to be Bladen County boys.”
   
Taylor, whose company, D’vine Foods, produces a prominent line of jams, jellies, toppings and ciders, has delighted in watching the Doves sing their way to prominence, even as they’ve enjoyed watching the success he has attained.
   
“We’re just hometown boys who delight in the Lord and are grateful to Him for granting us the desires of our hearts,” McCray explained. “It’s been a long time since this kind of partnership took place in our industry, but we feel it’s the right time and the right product.”
   
Muscadine grapes are more than delicious; high in antioxidants, they are also widely regarded as excellent sources of good health.
   
“These don’t arrive on a boat from China,” McCray points out. “They’re grown right in our backyard, which makes them seem like home cookin’ to us. But what’s even more important is that the fans who buy our jelly are also going to know they’ll be supporting the American farmer.”
   
The Doves plan to make “Spreading the Word” jelly available at their product table at the end of every concert, and each jar will be emblazoned with a reference to Proverbs 16:24, just as a constant reminder to them and their fans that it’s the Lord who deserves the glory for the creation of this joint venture.
   
More information is available at www.dovebrothersquartet.com.
   
“You need harmony in business, just as you need it in song,” McCray said. “And that’s what we have with Ron. This is an association we feel very good about. In addition to offering the sweetest music this side of heaven, we’re now going to be able to offer the sweetest taste, too.”