| The McKameys | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Clinton, TN, USA |
| Genres | Southern Gospel |
| Years active | 1954-current |
| Labels | Morningstar Records Crossroads Music Horizon Records |
| Website | [1] |
| Members | |
| Ruben Bean, Peg Bean, Sheryl Farris, Connie Fortner, Roger Fortner, Eli Fortner | |
| Past members | |
| Dora McKamey, Carol Woodard | |
The McKameys is a professional Southern Gospel group based in Clinton, Tennessee, that records on the Horizon Records label.[1]
The McKameys presently consists of Ruben and Peg Bean, Sheryl Farris, Connie Fortner, Roger Fortner, and Eli Fortner.
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The group first organized in 1954 as a trio of sisters: Dora, Peg and Carol McKamey. Because their father was a Christian minister, the girls grew up singing in church. One day Dora announced to her astonished sisters that they were going to sing with her in church the next Sunday as a trio. "She gathered us up in her kitchen, started singing and we each found our parts," Peg explained. "We just thought we were gonna sing that one time, in her home church, but different people heard us and invited us to sing at their church or at revivals. Then out of town evangelists heard us at the revivals and invited us to come to their church and we started traveling to Florida and Indiana and Ohio, and that's how it all started."
There have been several changes in the group's makeup over the years. In 1957, Ruben Bean started playing guitar for the trio, and he and Peg married two years later. While their daughters, Connie and Sheryl, were growing up they traveled with their mom, dad and aunts when the group was on the road. After Dora and Carol retired from the trio in 1971, Connie and Sheryl stepped in to take over their parts.
In the mid-1980s, Sheryl retired from the group. At that time, Carol returned to the group, now made up of Peg, Connie, Ruben and Carol with Roger Fortner playing guitar.
On average, the McKameys play approximately 150 bookings annually throughout the United States and Canada. With sixteen #1 singles, the group was honored by Horizon Records in 1999 for having the most number one hits in the history of Southern Gospel Music. Peg has been named Favorite Female Vocalist by the Singing News at its annual fan awards. From 1981 through 1999 they released an album a year filled with music with a message that their fans are eager to hear. Some of the music is written by daughter Sheryl and the remainder comes from songs sent to them in the mail or handed to them on tapes at concerts. The McKameys also hold the record for having the most #1 songs on Singing News magazine's charts.
Album (Label) / Radio Airplay
1981 He Didn't Let Us Down (Morning Star)
1982 By Faith (Morning Star) "Burning The Midnight Oil"
1983 Keepsake (Morning Star) * "Who Put The Tears" (1984) and "Someone Prayed For Me"
1984 Tennessee Live (Morning Star) "Tarry Here"
1985 Fruitful (Morning Star) " Bring Me Out Of The Desert"
1986 Unique (Morning Star) "The Bride Coming In" and "I'm Going Thru"
1987 More Than Music (Morning Star) * "Getting Used To The Dark" (1987) and "Vision Of Heaven"
1988 Covered By Love (Morning Star) "No More Sea"
1988 Gone To Meetin' (Morning Star) ** "God On The Mountain (1989) and "Ground Breaking"
1989 Sing Praises (Morning Star) * "God Will Make This Trial A Blessing" (1991) and "Under His Feet"
1990 Purpose (Morning Star) "Somehow He Will" and "Handfuls of Purpose"
1991 Just Thinking (Morning Star) "The Rising Of The Son"
1992 With Feeling (Horizon) * "A Borrowed Tomb" (1993) and "Do You Know How It Feels" (1993)
1993 With His Power (Horizon) ** "Arise" (1994) and "Prayer Changes Me"
1994 It's Real (Horizon) "I'm Going Through Jesus" and "A Voice Within"
1995 Sheltered (Horizon) "How Deep Is The Sea" and "The Old Love Letter"
1996 Still Have A Song (Horizon) * "Right On Time" (1997) and "This Valley Is For Me"
1997 Remembrance (Horizon)
1998 Always (Horizon) "A Wall Of Prayer," * "Roll That Burden On Me" (1999) and "It Satisfies Me"
1999 Waiting (Horizon) "The Blood" and "Even The Valley"
2001 I've Won (Horizon) * "I've Won" (2001) * "He Calms Me"(2002) and * "The Other Side" (2002)
2002 Trophy of Grace (Horizon) * "Surely Goodness and Mercies of the Lord (2003) and "A Trophy of Grace"
2003 An Acoustic Journey (Horizon) "Anytime" "God Is So Good To Me"
2004 Fresh Manna (Horizon) * "The Good News" (2005) and * "I Am Home" (2005–2006)
2005 The Old Path (Horizon) * "I Will Trust You Lord" (2006) and * "Altogether Lovely"
2006 Christmas (Horizon)
2007 Telling The Story (Horizon) "You're Still God" "You Are with Me" (2007) *"It Takes Time"
2008 Something More (Horizon) * "I've Made Up My Mind" * "Between 12 and 33" (2009)
2009 The Message (Horizon) * "I Keep Praying" (2010) *"The Shepherd's Point of View"
1988 Gone To Meetin’ 1989 Sing Praises 1991 On Tour 1992 With Feeling, Live! 1994 With His Power 1996 Encourage 1999 Genuine 2000 Who We Are 2001 McKameys Hometown Live (Video of the year 2003 at SN Fan Awards) 2003 Renfro Valley Live (VHS/DVD) 2006 The Old Path Live 2006 Christmas 2008 Something More Live
2003 Live in Renfro Valley 2006 The Old Path Live 2006 Christmas 2008 Something More Live