The Dixie Melody Boys have been a staple in Gospel music for half of a century—and the name "Ed O'Neal" has been synonymous with that group for nearly 48 years. There are very few people throughout the history of Gospel music who have had an impact on as many artists as this gentleman has had. In fact, traveling with Ed has been described as, "graduating from Ed O'Neal University" by many of Ed's former employees. As my friend, Harold Reed, put it, "I think every person who wants to be in Gospel music should spend at least six months with Ed first." 

It was an honor to talk with this living legend as he told me his story.

CM: When and where were you born? 

EO:  I was born east of Raleigh, North Carolina, in a little town called Fuquay, on May 28, 1936. I always tell people May 28 was a beautiful day!

CM:  Where did you grow up? 

EO:  I grew up there in Raleigh, but when I was in the sixth grade, we moved to the country to a little town called Cary, North Carolina. There I graduated high school in 1955.

CM:  Tell me a little bit about your family.

EO:  My dad went by his initials, J.E., and my mom's name was Lottie. Dad was a bus-driver for the Trailways Bus Company for over 30 years, and Mom worked in the office of Winn-Dixie grocery stores. She died two years ago this month at the age of 97. 

I had two brothers-both older than me.  The oldest, Louis, lives in Jacksonville, Florida, and my middle brother, Lynn, is deceased.

CM:  What is your church background? 

EO:  All my life, I went to Mt. Olivet Missionary Baptist Church in Raleigh. I joined the church as a kid, but, in those days, I hadn't heard the real message of the gospel.  When I was 30, I accepted Christ at a little church in Garner, North Carolina.

CM:  What was your very first singing experience? 

EO:  My first singing experience was with my mom's family. She had 11 brothers and sisters, plus all their children, so there were a lot of us. We created quite the choir! I joined in as a little tot, and fell in love with it.  They even let me sing a solo every now and then!

CM:  What was your first experience with quartet singing?

EO:  When I was about 18, my uncle, cousin, two friends, and I, formed The Gospel Harmony Quartet out of Raleigh, We made one album. Then I got a call from The Serenaders Quartet. They were a regional quartet then, but they were hoping to go full-time. They asked me if I would like to sing with them and help get things off the ground. I said yes, and stayed there about a year.

CM:  Your name has become synonymous with The Dixie Melody Boys for nearly 50 years. How did that come about?

EO:  Well, a lot of people think I was an original in the group, but I wasn't. The Dixie Melody Boys started in 1961, and I joined shortly after—I don't remember the exact date. When Avis Adkins, who was the lead singer at the time, called to ask me if I'd like to sing with the quartet, I was working full-time in construction and real estate. I told Avis that I'd love to sing with them, but I was just too busy with my businesses. I did offer to fill in until they found someone else. That's been almost 48 years ago! 

Not long after I started traveling with the group, the other guys became busy with other things in their lives and decided to disband. I loved it so much that I offered to buy the group from them before they shut it down. I bought the name, the bus, the equipment—everything.

CM:  Other than singing and the construction business, did you ever have any other jobs? 

EO: Well, for a short period of time, I got out of the construction business, because it was so stressful, and I took a job at a snack-food company in Cary. I moved to Kinston, North Carolina, at that time, and that's where I've lived ever since. 

In the 1960s, I had several business ventures I was involved in, but in 1971, I chucked it all except singing. I did later open a Christian bookstore in Kinston to use as a headquarters for the quartet for a short period of time.

CM:  Well, you've been a hero to countless artists throughout the years.Who would you say are your heroes?

EO:  Well, so many people were good to me through the years. J.D. Sumner and James Blackwood were special friends that helped me. George Younce and Glen Payne—I don't think I'd be here today if it weren't for them. 

I remember when The Cathedrals first left the Cathedral of Tomorrow to go out on their own. They were having a rough time, so I gave them $500, and they never forgot it.  No matter how big they made it, they never forgot me. They helped me more than I can say

CM:  Finally, as the president of "Ed O'Neal University," what advice would you have for young aspiring artists?

EO:  Like James Blackwood used to say, "You have to have some degree of talent first." That's the most important thing. But in addition, you've got to have the drive and determination to make it, because things aren't always going to be easy—there will be tough times. 

Also, always be sure to put a little money back every week, because you never know what the next week will bring!