DATE: Friday, November 28, 1997             TAG: 9711280091

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA 

SOURCE: BY PAM LOWNEY, CORRESPONDENT 

DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY                    LENGTH:   73 lines

GOSPEL GROUP IN CLOUDS HAS ROOTS IN N.C. BAND WILL PERFORM TODAY AT ELIZABETH CITY FESTIVAL

With vocalists of stunning range, harmonies blended over decades and a rhythm section both mellow and funky, the Mighty Clouds of Faith gospel group takes listeners mighty close to heaven.

``We're just a bunch of guys who enjoy playing the guitar and singing. We ended up being a spiritual group instead of a rock 'n' roll group because of our (religious) upbringing,'' said manager and singer Joshua Dawson. ``We carry God's word through our songs.''

The 10-member band has traveled widely and attracted a following through gospel disc jockeys and promoters and through word of mouth. The musicians have made three recordings of original songs, appeared in concert with Grammy-winning gospel artists and performed at the funeral of legendary disc jockey Wolfman Jack.

Recognition has been slower to come in this town, where all of them grew up and nine still live. Dawson said he hopes their performance at today's Community Christmas Illumination and Lighted Boat Parade will find them a larger local audience.

Those familiar with the band's talents may be surprised to learn that none of its members has formal music training. Time apparently made up for any shortcomings in musical education: All have been playing or singing gospel since childhood, and some have been performing together nearly 26 years. They range in age from 32 to 51.

Those familiar with the band's talents may be surprised to learn that none of its members has formal music training.

Time apparently made up for any shortcomings in musical education: All have been playing or singing gospel since childhood, and some have been performing together nearly 26 years. They range in age from 32 to 51.

Time also denied them overnight success: Though they've progressed toward making their musical ministry nationally known, no one is ready to quit his day job.

``If we sang for a living, we'd be starving,'' vocalist Herbert Bowe said with a laugh during a rehearsal in guitarist and songwriter Roy Stokley's garage.

Business manager and drummer William Morris said, ``We pay for our expenses and put a little bit in our pockets. Hopefully, one day we'll release that one song that will do it for us.''

Meanwhile, he said, band members continue to perform ``practically anywhere they want us,'' such as churches, schools, prison camps and stadiums.

The group has appeared in California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New York and South Carolina. It has been in concerts with gospel recording stars the Canton Spirituals of Canton, Miss.; the Mighty Clouds of Joy of Los Angeles; and the Williams Brothers of Jackson, Miss.

Two sets of brothers comprise half the Mighty Clouds of Faith. Joshua Dawson's brother James is another of the band's vocalists and its booking agent.

William Morris, vocalist Arthur Morris and second lead guitarist/song-writer Roy Morris Jr. performed with their father in Roy Morris and the Singing Sons until merging with Mighty Clouds of Faith about eight years ago.

Bass guitarist McGarrett Bryant eventually replaced Roy Morris Sr. The other members of the band are Stokley, Bowe and singers Joseph Hyder and Clement Spence.

Though some are brothers by blood, all are brothers in faith and love. They precede each rehearsal and performance with a prayer, linking hands to form a circle.

They toss around affectionate nicknames and mild put-downs. During their last rehearsal, they ribbed Joshua Dawson about turning 51.

They have fun with some of their arrangements but sing the lyrics with meaning.

``Our music springs from slavery,'' Joshua Dawson said. ``We sing about living in hope and believing that life will be better through faith.''

For example, the chorus of their song ``Sinking Sand'' says, in part, ``The ground that you're standing on is sinking sand. Put your soul in the Master's hand, it'll lead to the promised land.''

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