Shaun 17      Reshana 15     Tasha 13         Dave 43

The McDowell Family, 3 eldest and father pictured here,  in 1995

  How the gospel music began ... 

 On  September 1, of 1995, The McDowell Family entered a gospel singing ministry, Dave McDowell, his wife and eight children launched out on a journey that would take them through thousands of miles, a myriad of emotions and tests of faith unlike anything they had ever known. The three eldest (13, 15, and 17, pictured above in 1995) were full of excitement and enthusiasm for the coming adventure.

The decision to step out in faith was not lightly made. After all, they were stepping out into foreign territory, even the father, David, with his musical roots, had never done anything like this before, much less with his children! With the family's help, Dave had developed and operated a Christian RV campground, offshoot of a Florida based international ministry. The work was hard, but the job was secure and the rewards, many: a lovely home, a lake, a swimming pool, a playground, hay rides, fishing, boating, 150 acres of woodland and campground activities were at their disposal. For the five younger children it was vacation all the time, new friends each week and unending succession of exciting things to do.

Did God really want them to leave everything behind as Abraham did and go--where? A man just doesn't pull up a family of ten and go off without knowing how to provide for them. But Dave couldn't get away from the knowledge that this is exactly what he needed to do. Almost sick to his stomach from doubts and fears, he would walk alone for hours praying and beseeching the Father for courage and direction. The decision was made and they set about preparing to "hit the road." A 1973 GMC bus was purchased and converted. Family and friends pitched in to help make it suitable for this family of 10. 

In spite of the many attempts by Satan to discourage and defeat them, the family saw the Lord's hand at work, repeatedly providing a way out of impossible situations and clearing a path before them.  Although it appeared to David that most of their children were musically inclined, it was also evident that their second eldest daughter, Latasha age 13, had to develop an ear for singing the alto part. It seemed to be an impossibility, as no one in the family, at that time, could teach the part. The family prayed together every night about this as they were preparing to leave.  After all, how could they have a Southern Gospel sound


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 without all the members being able to sing all four harmony parts?!  In a couple of months time, God answered their prayers, giving Tasha the ability to sing the right notes, whether alto or lead, a lovely voice and a wonderful platform presence that exudes the joy of the Lord and never ceases to bless those who watch and listen.

Faith grows strong by testing and God becomes more real to His children through hard times. The McDowell Family has seen daily what kind of God they serve. They came to understand just how much He is in control of circumstances they couldn't begin to handle. Dave's faith grew immeasurably.

On the road--the trials begin. During the first six weeks out, The McDowell family experienced three major breakdowns with repairs totaling many thousands of dollars.  After the third breakdown in Oct of 1995, they had to travel in a twelve-passenger van for seven months, towing the music equipment behind them. They made every engagement throughout the states! The Lord always provided their needs through those difficult days. Dave noted, "You can get very close as a family, in more ways than one, when you travel full time in a van for seven months!" Adjusting to life in a bus after having an entire campground in which to play, was difficult for the younger children,  But after seven months in a van, the bus seemed like a palace! Finally repaired, the old bus gave them a ten-month respite before it turned ornery again. Then, in five months came three more engine rebuilds, major breakdowns and thousands of dollars more in repair bills. Again, the Lord provided ways for them to meet their engagement dates.  Not long after, The McDowell Family's prayers were answered again, not only with the new purchase of a 45ft Eagle coach, to replace the 1973 coach that had caused so many break-downs , but also the addition of a second bus for the married children to use.   From the beginning, the youngest would join the family on a song or two, but by 1998, five of the children were on the stage fulltime playing and singing with the family.

During 2001, The McDowell Family made a decision to quit traveling. At that time, this decision was made in part due to a health situation, but mostly realizing a 3rd marriage was soon to happen. During this time good health returned, and the oldest was married. Although they immediately involved themselves with  praise music in their home church, and continue to do so when possible, they soon afterward, realized  the need to go back to their roots in music.  So they preceded to prepare their songs in Country and Southern Music. By the end of  2003 they were in full swing again.

Today they are still pursuing their passion for music,  looking again, in the future, for a full time musical career.  At this time  The McDowell Family still offer many musical projects on CD and cassettes from their gospel music traveling days. The name of the group is Sweet Water Junction Band ... a Family tradition. The group provides fantastic  entertainment for clubs, business and civic events such as; concerts, weddings, family reunions, church and corporate functions, city and state festivals, along with a variety of other celebrations.  They perform a variety of song selections;  New / Classic Country & Southern  Rock.
Visit  Sweet Water Junction Band,  link on this site.  On that site you will  learn more about this musical family group  including  their musical  Country roots, starting way back n 1946.  Plan to hear them soon
and see why this family is  carrying on with the family tradition.