SPECIAL: DAYWIND RECORDS

Ed O’Neal announced Tuesday the retirement of the name of The Dixie Melody Boys.

Mr. O’Neal has been a part of the fabric of southern gospel music for more than 60 years. He was inducted into The Southern Gospel Music Hall Of Fame in 2004 and has won the prestigious Marvin Norcross Award. He says, “The past few years have been very challenging. I appreciate the promoters and pastors who have supported The Dixie Melody Boys, especially over the last few years, and I commend the guys who have worked really hard to keep the legacy of The Dixie Melody Boys alive. They have represented Ed O’Neal and The Dixie Melody Boys with class, and I appreciate that, but after a very deliberative, thoughtful and prayerful period of time, I feel the best thing to honor the heritage of the Quartet is to retire the name.”

Mr. O’Neal is 86 and sites health as the primary reason for his decision.

Southern gospel fans won’t soon forget Ed O’Neal and The Dixie Melody Boys.