HISTORY  /  BIO

   
    
    It all started as far back as 1949 when Porter McDowell (David's father) became a member of the legendary Indiana Redbirds. While with the Redbirds, a song was written by them, called Cowboy Auctioneer. This song, as preformed by Tex Ritter, went to the top ten on the 1951 Country Western charts.   Porter McDowell 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.  The name Porter McDowell is in the files at the old Country Music Hall of Fame Museum. This was the beginning of a family tradition that is still alive today.   

     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 1988, 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 this talented family is still busy at work performing primarily in Florida and Southern Georgia. They are in the process of expanding their performance area once again.  In 2002 they changed the format of their music, going back to the father's original roots of Country. Their song selections come from New/ Classic Country, to Southern Rock and a little variety of some all time favorites. Performing popular cover songs, they are also busy writing their own music, which they publish through their own publishing company;            Golden Stair Music.            They record at their own Studio, called  IHS Productions, Inc.  Presently they are working on a project which includes a little Bluegrass & Country Blues.  Under the record label  Tradition, the title of this new project will be: 

              Sweet Water Junction Band;     "Sometimes it's Blue"
                                          

     David McDowell, the father,  is writing a book describing the joys, trials, & the hardships that this family has experienced over the years. The title of this book is

"The True Story of the McDowell Family Tradition"

Included in this book will be pictures of the earlier years of singing and traveling.  They will announce here and send an e-mail to the newsletter members, when that book is available.  
                 
               Plan to hear this group soon !

After you hear & see  "Sweet Water Junction Band"
 at work you will definitely understand why this
group feels the need to continue on with the 
family tradition.