The McDowell family
Christmas Celebration
© 2000 High Country Recording (634479409905)
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This Chrismas Project is just one example of this blessed family's ability to speak to your heart with the gifts God has given to them...a family tradition,
It all started as far back as 1949 when Porter McDowell became a member of the legendary “Indiana Redbirds”. While with the Redbirds a song was written by them, called “Cowboy Auctioneer”. This song went to the top ten on the 1951 Country Western charts and put Porter McDowell along with the Redbirds on the map in Nashville, Tennessee. His name is still in the files at the “old” Country Music Hall of Fame Museum”. He continued to work steady during the pioneer days of live country radio programs in several area bands. The first national country music radio show, WLS, out of Chicago, Illinois, aired their WLS Barn Dance which Porter played many times. In 1957 he joined up with The “Midwestern Trio” and continued his radio work along with local television footage of their music. During that career he had the opportunity to work alongside such names as Tex Ritter, Roy Rogers, Roy Acuff, Little Jimmy Dickens, and Carl Smith to name a few, who would appear at the Buck Lake Ranch in Indiana.
Porter's son David McDowell, born June 11.1952, was surrounded by the musical influence of his father as he grew up. In his early twenties, he met the well established Nashville songwriter, Billy Nix. Billy had a group called Billy Nix and the Ideals. David became an Ideal playing bass for Billy until 1979. This opened up many opportunities to learn the business as he worked in concert, club, and studio environments. It was during the mid 70's when David met and married his present wife, SherryJo Holland. In 1979 David and his wife started their own country / country rock band called “ Sweet Water Junction Band ”. This band proved to be a popular, high energy country band in that tri-state area. David played lead guitar and sang bass and shared lead vocals. The Sweet Water Junction Band had a career that included working with many other Country artist, some as well known as; Dave Dudley, Del Reeves, Sonny Wright and Peggy Sue Webb, sister of Loretta Lynn. Dave continued with his group until 1988, when he moved his family from Fort Wayne, Indiana to Rockledge, Florida.
Through-out this musical journey and move, David and SherryJo kept busy raising eight beautiful children. Although still interested in music after their move, most of their time was spent in raising the children. With the older children (13 yrs - 17 yrs old) being musically inclined, in 1995 the entire family started off on a faith journey that lasted six ½ years as they traveled throughout the nation. During this time they were singing and playing their own brand of, mostly original, along with some old favorite, Southern Gospel numbers. They performed in hundreds of churches, festivals, and concert halls through-out the United States. During this time they recorded seven musical projects and influenced the lives of countless people during their musical journey. During those travels they appeared with some well known National Gospel Groups such as; The Hoppers, The McKiethens, John Rowsey with New Journey, The Freemans, Phiefers, The Wisnauts, The Primitive Quartet, Kirk Talley, and countless regional groups. As the children grew and married, they once again settled in Florida. They have taken the name Sweet Water Junction Band again and have returned to their father's Country Roots, although never to forget their gospel beginnings. Today six of the children, one son-in-law, along side their father are on stage, and very busy at work with their music. The mother and younger ones work behind the scene with sound and lighting. The next project is title "Sometimes it's Blue" to be released this year... SWJ Band a family tradition since 1949