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"I Can Tell You The Time"

Dixie Melody Boys

Many talented vocalists and musicians step onto concert stages across the country each week; however, only the faithful and dedicated overcome the pressures of life on the road.  Ed O'Neal, whose name has been synonymous with Gospel Music for nearly 60 years, can certainly be labeled as one of the faithful and dedicated.

O'Neal joined The Dixie Melody Boys in 1961 and became owner and manager of the quartet just a few years later.  During the past six decades The Dixie Melody Boys, have enjoyed tremendous success, including a Grammy nomination and numerous Fan Award nominations from The Singing News Magazine, Southern Gospel Music's leading fan and trade publication.  In the realm of personal achievement, a highlight of O'Neal's career came in September of 2000 when he was named recipient of the Marvin Norcross Award, the highest honor presented at The Singing News Fan Awards Ceremony each year.  Additionally, in October of 2004 he was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame, an honor bestowed each year to Gospel Music legends.

Over the years, The Dixie Melody Boys have been featured on such popular television programs as The Ralph Emery Show and Primetime Country.  They have appeared at Carowinds Theme Park, Six Flags Over Georgia and Dollywood Theme Park.  Throughout the years, hit songs have flowed.  In fact, they have enjoyed more than two dozen Top 40 hits.

While success has abounded, adversities have also been encountered.  The year of 2019 was one of those years that O'Neal faced some of the greatest challenges.  In addition to several health issues, O'Neal was faced with multiple personnel changes.  Of course, this was nothing new for a man who is no stranger to change.  In fact, over the past six decades O'Neal has seen over 90 personnel changes.  "That has to be a record in this business," he says with a chuckle.  Yet with all the changes, the Dixie Melody Boys and Ed O'Neal have stood the test of time.  As the group heads into 2020 they are more dedicated than ever to spreading the message of the Gospel.

Present members serving with O'Neal, include four-year group veteran, Willie Sawry, who handles the responsibilities of road manager and baritone.  Former Dixie Melody Boys' tenor who toured with the group in the '90s, Derrick Boyd rejoined the group in 2019 and brings over 30 years of valuable experience to the Quartet.  Serving as the group's lead singer is 18-year-old Booneville, MS, native, Cayden Howell.  Unlike his fellow quartet members, Cayden is new to the Southern Gospel Music field and admits that being a part of the Dixie Melody Boys fulfills a life-long dream, having grown up loving the quartet sounds.

As a result of the numerous health issues encountered during 2019 for O'Neal, he made the decision to add yet another vocalist to The Dixie Melody Boys to fill the bass singer slot.  He felt it very important that even when he was unable to be at an engagement that the Dixie Melody Boys would deliver what the audience was expecting.  He found this in 40-year veteran and Tunnel Hill, GA, resident Earl Roberts.  Over the past four decades Roberts has sang with numerous regional groups from the state of Georgia and is delighted to join the ranks of the full-time road warriors.

With new excitement Ed O'Neal and The Dixie Melody Boys look forward to new opportunities in 2020 and beyond.  As the Dixie Melody Boys have found, the miles on the road may sometimes be long, but God continues to bless the hard work of His faithful servants, as He continually offers new excitement with each new endeavor.  One would think that after 60 years, a group would grow complacent and rest on its laurels, but under the leadership of O'Neal, the Dixie Melody Boys disproves that theory.  Today's Dixie Melody Boys are determined to continue their great legacy while breaking new ground in Southern Gospel music.