HISTORY  /  BIO

       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. Dave became an Ideal playing bass for Billy until mid 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. In late 1979 Dave started his own country / southern rock band called “Sweet Water Junction”. This band proved to be a popular, high energy country band in that tri-state area. David played lead guitar, sang bass and shared lead vocals with Sam Moffett Jr, the bass player, and Scott Page, the drummer.  His wife, Sherry ran the lights and sound board. The Sweet Water Junction Band has a past 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. In 1987, Dave, while continuing in music, moved his family from Fort Wayne, Indiana to Sunny 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 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, known widely as The McDowell Family, 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 in 2001.  
        
       Today David, with his talented family is still busy at work performing primarily in Florida and Southern Georgia. They have expanded their  performance area once again to include many other states.  In 2002 they changed the format of their music, going back to the David's the father, original roots of Country. They perform some of the best in hot kickin' Country & Southern Rock. Performing popular cover songs, they are also busy  working on two projects titled: "Around the Bend" and the second project titled: "Sometimes it's Blue". Both are Under the record label Tradition. In the fall of 2010, they completed their first music video title "Cardboard Box", © Golden Stair Music 2008, Written By Reshana Marie (McDowell) McGatha, and recorded at IHS Productions Inc. and performed by Sweet Water Junction Band.
All profits from this video will be donated to shelters which help displaced women & their children due to violence.
They have in the making a cartoon DVD series called Sallie Sue. About a Hog on a Hog...All profits from this series will be donated to animal shelters.
Last but not least they have are also starting a new internet TV station at: www.openlinetv.com/CocoaTV.html
   
     David McDowell, the father of eight children, has passed the music down to his family, as did his father with him, and so the tradition lives on...

        
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