1. Who is The Proclaimers' Web Master and what does he do for a living?
ANSWER: Well, if you really must know.....and I'm sure you don't want to, he is big, tall and handsome with more face than hair! He is a computer specialist who knows nothing about computers.
TRUTH:
It is none other than lead singer Mike Douglas and he just happened to
take a course in web design. Mike is an elementary teacher.
2. Who is the lady that always travels with you to almost all of your appearances?
ANSWER: She was a lady that just dropped by one day while we were practicing at Jim's house and said she had always wanted to travel with a GOOD gospel quartet. She said since she couldn't find one, that we would just have to do!
TRUTH:
She is really Jim's wife Carolyn, and probably would like to stay home
once in a while. We believe she is a vital part of our ministry as
she tries to help us control our sound levels so we don't get too loud
or too soft. In other words, she is our sound advisor!
3. Why does Paul get so red in the face when he hits those high notes?
ANSWER: Ever since he was a child, Paul's mother and father always wanted him to sing that high girl's part in a male quartet. They encouraged him to wear makeup, lipstick, and blush thinking he would develop into a full grown woman. So, to be perfectly frank with you, he hasn't broke that habit yet! That's why we mark our microphones so we don't get the one with lipstick on it.
TRUTH:
Singing that high tenor part is no easy job! Paul puts all of his
heart into singing that part and we are so glad that he does because none
of the rest of us can do it!
4. Is it true that The Proclaimers helped lead singer Mike Douglas buy a car?
ANSWER: Yes, it is true that they gave him a couple hundred dollars to go and buy a clunker so that he could drive all the way from Athens, OH to meet them in Parkersburg to go singing. The old clunker just keeps on going and going and going. However, there are times when he has to get a tow truck to bring him the rest of the way.
TRUTH:
Mike's previous car was totaled in an accident and he had to purchase a
car that was dependable to get him back and forth to work and sings.
Paul and Jim just happened to come across a car that they thought would
be a good car for him, however, Mike paid for the car himself. So
basically, they did help, but the group did not use any of its funds to
help Mike buy a car. Group funds are used to help us continue God's
Ministry in song.
5. Does your group charge money to sing at churches?
ANSWER: Yes, we do have a special price for each size church we sing for. For extra-large churches, the price is $1.25 a dozen. For large churches, the price is $.99 a dozen. For medium-sized churches, the price is $.88 a dozen, and for those small churches, the price is reduced drastically to $.59 a dozen. For other functions that we are invited to sing for, such as the inaugaration of a President and so forth.....they are free!
TRUTH:
We have always made it a policy to accept free will offerings wherever
we go and God has always blessed us for it. So can you afford for
us to come to your church? Yes, you can! A simple free will offering is
all we ever ask for to cover the costs of gasoline and other needs that
arise in our ministry.
6. Why does Dave always have his hair cut so short?
ANSWER: Wow, that's a tough one! The truth is....Dave was an Marine drill sergeant and just got used to wearing his hair like that. Not only that, but he goes to the same barber that Mike goes to and that barber just does not like long hair whatsoever!
TRUTH:
Dave was never in the Marines. I'm sure that he would have made a
good one had he joined. The fact is....Dave just likes his hair short
and Mike would never go to HIS barber!!!!
7. Why does Jim sit on that stool when he sings??
ANSWER: This is an easy one...he's the boss and he can sit on a stool anytime he wants! Since he is the boss, he says we have to stand no matter how tired we get. Honestly folks, he is just plain downright lazy!!
TRUTH:
Jim had a major stroke about ten years ago and ever since then, has been
having mini strokes. He sits on the stool as a precaution from further
complications, and to aid him when he is weak in body.
8. Why can't Paul and Mike ever act normal on stage?? Why do they always poke fun at each other?
ANSWER:
Friends, that's no act! That is the normal everyday way that they
act. If you would see Paul and Mike wherever they might be.....you
would have to put up with that silliness all the time!
As
for poking fun at each other....THEY think it's funny even though no one
else does! Hey, sometimes they look in the mirror and laugh. What
else can I say??
TRUTH:
Every quartet we've ever known has someone that acts funny on stage.
The truth is that Mike and Paul really enjoy what they are doing.
They believe Christians, of all people, should have the most fun of all
because we are filled with the hope of eternal life in Heaven where there
will be no more tears, nor sorrow, nor sadness or crying. As a group,
we know that many of the people we sing to are hurting in one way or another.
Our goal is to take that focus off of their problems and encourage them
to focus on the only one who can bring them hope in difficult times...Jesus
Christ.
Okay,
sometimes we go overboard, but we really try not to!
9. Do your wives travel with you all of the time?
ANSWER: Are you kidding?? They enjoy getting rid of us for a little while. It gives them a break and a chance to use the remote control that they can never seem to get their hands on when we are present! They get a break from watching NASCAR races, football, basketball, baseball and other sports shows. It's their time to live it up! Plus, they've already heard us before!!
TRUTH:
We enjoy it immensely when our wives get an opportunity to travel with
us. However, they have ministries of their own, as well as
a life of their own. Also, traveling can get old after awhile especially
when you sing the same songs over and over again. To us, every concert
is new and exciting because we never know what the Lord has in store for
us. Yet our wives are always welcome and once in awhile come out
to hear us and be with us. They are very understanding of what we
do.
10. Does the quartet own that new Hummer that you travel in to concerts?
ANSWER: The answer to that question is....NO. One of the sponsors for our quartet allows us to use that vehicle for promotional means only. We do have to return it to the company some day when we are finished using it or have worn it out. We are not allowed to name the sponsor since we are a non-profit organization.
TRUTH:
No, the Hummer belongs to Dave DeBarr, our bass singer. We
have no sponsor that allows us to use such a vehicle. In fact, we
don't have any sponsors!
11. When will you be recording your next project?
ANSWER: This is the hardest question yet! Do we need another one already?? We just finished our newest project last summer. Besides, we are fresh out of new songs and Mike is a slow songwriter! Truthfully, if you want a new project, you'll have to talk to the boss! As I said before, he has the last word on everything!
TRUTH:
Actually, we have been mulling over some ideas for a new project,
but we aren't planning on working on one anytime real soon. Our newest
project, "Step By Step" is still pretty fresh to us and certainly has been
a blessing to many listeners. Possibly, we will record again
next summer. Until then, we will continue to work on new ideas for
the new project. By the way, Mike has plenty of songs that are not
recorded yet and recording is always a group decision.