Bill just celebrated his 42nd anniversary singing gospel music. The son of a Baptist preacher born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. He travelled
around the country with his mom and dad, going from church to church sharing the good news with middle-America. Bill became his father's music
director at age 12 because there was no one else to serve and he was willing to do it.
Bill has had the privilige of being mentored musically by several of the greatest musicians in gospel music, and has been blessed to sing through out all of North America and in other countries, and literally 1000's of churches. He travelled in excess of 150-160,000 miles a year, sharing Christ with the
masses.
He started singing with The Chancellor Quarter from Hamilton, Ohio, when he was just 19 years old. Big Dave Stewart sang bass, Floyd Arthur sang lead, Frank Ferrell sang tenor, and Bill sang baritone.
Bill then joined The Rhythm Masters out of Cincinnati featuring Buddy Lyles (of The Florida Boys), Dan Hubbard, Grady "Chico" Nix (The Prophits), and Bill Phelps (The Hemphills). They remain great friends today. In October 2006, The Rhythm Masters joined together for a Reunion Concert in Northern Kentucky and had a wonderful time singing and reminiscing.
Next, Bill joined Coy Cook & The Senators out of Pensacola Florida in
1970. At that time, the Senators were owned by renowned Gospel music promotor, J.G. Whitfield, who also owned The Singing News. The Senators
consisted of Coy Cook, Mac Evans, Calvin Runyon, and Nick Bruno. Not long after he joined The Senators, Nick Bruno left and was replaced by Ralph
Jarmin. Mac Evans left and was replaced by Don Burris. The Senators being owned by J.G. Whitfield, of course headlined and opened for all of J.G.
Whitfield promoted concerts. Eveyr major act typically performed at Bonnifay, FL, where literally 1000's of people set up tents and sat outside in lawn chairs waiting for their favorte group to come up on the flat bed truck stage.
After leaving the Senators, Bill joined the famous Cathedral Quartet of Stowe, Ohio. Members of the group at that time were George Younce, Glenn
Payne, Roy Tremble, Jim Garstand (pianist). The Cathedrals were not as well-known as they became in the 80's and beyond - this was in the early 70's when they were really launching their ministry after being on the famous Rex Humbard Cathedral of Tomorrow program that went around the word.
Bill recounts, "Singing with the Cathedral Quartet with their sound & professionalism was probably one of the greatest experiences in my music profession and something that I'll always be grateful for." (Check out Bill's blog to read stories about travelling with Glenn & George).
"While sharing the stage with Jerry & The Singing Goffs in New Brunswick, I was offered a position to sing baritone for Dr. Jerry Goff & The Singing Goffs.
I moved from Stowe Ohio to Nashville TN to start my career in the entertainment capital of the world (at the time)."
The members of the Goffs were Dave Thomas singing Tenor, Gary Valentine, Gene Jones, Wally Goff, & Andrea "LeFeaver" Goff. Before too long they went through a major change and hired Buck Buckles to sing tenor, Jerry continued singing lead and Bill sang baritone; Gene Jones was on the piano; Barry Hess played bass guitar, and Wally Goff played the Hammond B3 organ.
Bill says, "This was without a doubt, one of the greatest group of gospel entertainers & musicians that I ever had the privilege of working with. Most people wouldn't know that Jerry Goff was one of the finest preachers that I ever sat under. When I was with The Goffs, we did many 3 day crusades and saw many, many folks come to the saving knowledge of Christ." (Read more about Jerry & The Goffs in Bill's Blog").
When Bill left The Goffs, it was to take the position of Vice President & Director of A&R for QCA Records in Cincinnati, Ohio. Bill had the privilege of getting back together with The Rhythm Masters, then owned by Carroll & Linda Rawlings.
"We had a young 18 year old talent by the name of Rene Taube - this
was her first experience of singing with a group and gospel music of any sort. We had a 1 song, God Rides on Wings of Love, during that time, and
another chart song, "It's About Time"."
After that, Bill started a group called Chariot in 1985 in Cincinnati Ohio. Bill says, "The original members of Chariot were Larry Orrell, Gayle Tacket, and Charles Novell & I. Over the past 22 years, we've changed members many times because we were a part time group that usually sang corporate shows and private parties."
When Larry left, Elliott McCoy (now the manager and baritone of Three Bridges) joined Chariot, who is now the manager and baritone of Three Bridges.
Bill states, "For the last 22 years, I've been doing my solo ministry "Music With A Purpose". My wife usually accompanies me to a church where we can minister in song and the Word, occasssionaly doing seminars on life and ministry after divorce. We are now affiliated with a group of guys that was originally Chariot, called Highest Praise - with Gayle "Tank" Tackett and Scooter Simmons. Scooter is a prolific song writer and it enables us to do choir clinics, song writing workshops, and marriage seminars."
Bill is now writing a new book entitled "Memories from the Parsonage, and Then To Hell & Back". It is a snap-shot of his life being raised in the home
of a preacher, and how God turned the bitterness, hurt & scars into something usable for His purpose. Dykes says, "The objective for the last several years has been to finish well. It is not about singing with famous gospel groups, striving for a successfull corporate career - it's about leaving a mark for the Kingdom's sake.Bill is now working for SKY ANGEL IPTV in Naples,FL.as Chief Marketing Officer and feels this is the way of the future in Christian Programing."You may contact bill at bill.dykes@sky angel.com.
