OUR MEMBERS
Sammy Breeden - Lead
A founding member of the quartet. Sammy was born in Centre, Alabama, and jokes that he was smart enough to leave at the age of 2. He was saved on December 14, 1958. Sammy has been married to Dora since 1969, and they have two daughters, three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He retired from Yellow Roadway, where he was a truck driver, in 2011. During his free time, Sammy enjoys reading, spending time with friends, hiking, and traveling. His favorite color is blue. Sammy and Dora live in Rome, Georgia. They are members of McFall Baptist Church in Rome.
Dora Breeden - Alto/Piano
A founding member of the quartet. Dora was born and raised in Rome, Georgia. She has been playing piano and singing since she was four years old. Growing up, her family attended Tuesday night singings and singing schools. Local churches often called on her and her siblings to fill-in when they were without a pianist. She was saved at the age of 8 at a Methodist church. Her husband, Sammy, always says that "he" got her straightened out though when they were married and she joined his Baptist church. They have been married for 53 years. They have two daughters: Venetia Smith (married to Todd) and Dana Strickland (married to Ben); three grandchildren: Mari Adams (30), Justin Smith (27) and Damian Strickland (11); and two great-grandchildren: Cara Adams (5) and Eliste Adams (2). Dora says that they have been very blessed in their marriage and that God has taken them through hard times as well as good times. Dora has written numerous songs, most notably "Look to the Son" and "Heavenly Places." When she's not singing - Dora enjoys traveling, hiking, spending time with family and friends, and watching the Atlanta Falcons. Her favorite colors are coral and yellow. Dora retired from Atlanta Gas Light after 44 years of employment.
Gary Breeden - Tenor
A founding member of the quartet, Gary is also the audio technician for the group. He wrote the song "I Can Hardly Wait." Gary was born and raised in Georgia. He became a born-again Christian on January 30, 1983, and believes that Jesus was born of a virgin, gave His life freely on the cross, rose to live again, and today sits at the right hand of the Father to make intercession for his children. Gary feels that God called him into this ministry to serve Him with song. Gary and his wife, Joanne, were married in 1978. They are members of Oak Grove Baptist Church in Adairsville where they are very active. They enjoy motorcycling, traveling, and geocaching (if you don't know what geocaching is, ask at the next concert). He is employed with Metro Carpet Delivery as a truck driver. Gary and his wife live in Rome, Georgia.
Tim Frix - Bass
Tim joined the group in June of 2022. His father was a Baptist preacher for 53 years and his mother sang and played the piano everywhere they went. Tim asked Jesus Christ to come into his life at the age of 9. He got saved at a singing in January of 1977. He has enjoyed gospel music ever since. Tim began singing at the age of 8. At the age of 18, he graduated high school in 1985 and started out singing solo. He then moved to duets, trios, and quartets. His hobbies include anything involving the great outdoors - anything from sitting on the front porch to primitive camping in the deep woods. Tim and his wife Susan have been married for 30 years. They have 3 children and 3 grandchildren. His favorite color is midnight metallic navy blue. Tim is a member of Heritage Baptist Church in Calhoun. Tim and his wife live in Sonoraville, Georgia.
Dana Strickland - Drums/Vocals
Dana is the daughter of Sammy and Dora Breeden. She was born and raised in Rome, Georgia. She began singing in church when she was 3 years old. She became a Christian at the age of 5. Dana has traveled with The Dove Quartet since the beginning, singing specials on occasion, and officially joined the quartet in 1990. After years of writing poetry, she began writing songs a few years ago..."Victory in the End" and most notably "Give It To God," the featured song on the album by the same name. Dana is married to Ben Strickland and has a son, Damian (who you will usually see at the singings). Dana graduated from the University of Georgia. She is the Chief Investigator at the Cherokee Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office. In her free time - Dana enjoys playing tennis, traveling, reading, spending time with loved ones and watching UGA football. Dana's favorite colors are emerald green and amethyst. Her favorite motto is "It always seems impossible until it's done." She and her family live in Rome. They attend McFall Baptist Church in Rome, Georgia.
Blane Justice - Bass Guitar
Blane began traveling with the quartet in 1995. He is the twin brother of TDQ former bass player, Dwane Justice. Blane is married to Cindy and they recently celebrated their 25th anniversary. He has played with numerous gospel groups in his adult life. In addition to playing the bass guitar, he also plays the acoustic guitar and drums. He and his wife live in Chatsworth, Georgia. When he's not working or traveling with the quartet (or another group he plays with on occasion), Blane plays the bass guitar at Heritage Baptist Church in Calhoun.
Matt Lacey - Lead Guitar/Vocals |
One of our newer members, Matt joined the group in August of 2022. Matt has been married to his wife, Rita, for 29 years and they have two daughters. He has been a musician for various gospel groups for 20 years. When he's not working or playing music, Matt enjoys hunting all over the country. Matt works for the Nucor Corporation. He and his family live in Fairmount, Georgia, and attend Heritage Baptist Church in Calhoun.
Ryan Sullivan- Rhythm Guitar/Harmonica
Our newest member, Ryan joined the group in April of 2023. He was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and moved to Goergia at the age of 5. Ryan was washed in the blood of Jesus at 8 years old. In addition to playing guitar and harmonica for the group, he plays the piano and ukulele and sometimes sings. His prayer is that God will continue to use him through music for a long time to come. He has written a couple of songs and prays to keep working for God. Ryan is currently employed as a set-up technician at Evco Plastics. When not traveling with the group, Ryan attends and plays instruments at Oak Grove Baptist Church in Adairsville.
OUR HISTORY
The quartet was formed in 1984. All of the members are born-again Christians and try to live as such. We are a group of Christian believers who have set out to spread God's word through song and testimony. The name of the group was chosen from the scripture Luke 3:22 that talks about the Spirit descending from Heaven in the form of a Dove at the baptism of Jesus. We hope that the Spirit will manifest itself in our singing and be felt by the singers as well as the audience.
The three founding members of the group are still singing. However, there are many of our members who have moved on.
Our previous members include:
Stan Johnson - Bass
Richard Roberson (deceased) - Bass
Ray Doyle - Bass
Jim Sheldon (deceased) - Bass
Alan Dean (deceased) - Bass
Bill Duncan - Bass
Jim Bagley (deceased)- Steel Guitar
Jackie Stover - Bass Guitar
Greg Cowart - Bass Guitar
Jimmy Garland - Bass Guitar
Jeremy Peace - Bass Guitar
Terri England - Bass Guitar
Dwane Justice - Bass Guitar
Gary Garland - Drums
Randy Beard - Rhythm Guitar/Vocals
Calvin Sherman - Lead Guitar
Barry Gable - Lead Guitar
David Dickerson - Rhythm Guitar