Sean C. Morgan
Of The New Era
The Dominy family are no strangers to anybody who’s been at just about any public event over recent years.
The singing Dominy men, George, 46, and his sons, Cliff, 28, and David, 26, have performed at last year’s Downtown Celebration, the chamber Awards Banquet, the Sweet Home Rodeo and numerous other public affairs.
Now they’re making their favorite pastime available to the public. Just stick it in the slot and hit play.
The Dominys, who perform under the name Praise in 3D, have finally done something they’ve wanted to do for a long time. They recorded a CD of their favorite Gospel songs, along with the “Star-Spangled Banner,” their specialty at those community events.
“It’s just finally come to the point if we didn’t do it, we wouldn’t,” George said. The cost of recording and their schedules had held them back, but they went ahead and spent the cash to record at a studio in Albany.
They recorded a 23-song collection in three-part harmony in two eight-hour sessions, with George recording in a third session. They had to do it on Sunday afternoons because of busy work schedules.
David played keys and piano, with some songs accompanied by a background CD. Some are completed a cappela.
The songs range from classic hymns to worship songs in addition to the national anthem. They started out with more than 50 songs, then narrowed the list by asking themselves “are there some special songs people wanted for some special reasons,” George said.
They dedicated the CD itself to George’s sister, who died in January, as a gift to his mother.
The CD costs $7, but “we’re not in it to make the money,” George said. The family would like to make some of the cost of recording, but the project was simply about the “idea that we made it,” a chance to share their musical talent, he said.
In addition to singing at events around Sweet Home for years, they also perform at Southside Church of Christ and serve as part of the church’s worship team. All three are members of the Singing Christmas Tree. David is the heir to Paul Rowton’s legacy as the Singing Christmas Tree director and has just completed his third performance as the incoming director. He also performed solos in Handel’s “Messiah” over the weekend.
“The family’s been singing together for years,” George said. “We enjoy singing.”
“People seem to like us and ask us to come back,” David said. They keep coming back for “the enjoyment of knowing that people enjoy us doing it. If they didn’t enjoy it, it wouldn’t be worth doing.”
God blesses people with talents, Cliff said, and this is a chance to share theirs. It also is an opportunity to share His Word with others.
“It gives a sense of satisfaction knowing you can spread the Word of God without having to preach it,” David said. “People get it off your demeanor.”
“It’s a combination of everything,” George said. “The main thing is it’s a family thing.”
With busy schedules among them all, they enjoy getting together and singing, George said. It gives the family, grandchildren through grandparents, something to enjoy together.
And they love seeing the expressions on the audience’s faces, they said.
They take their name from a comment by City Manager Craig Martin and George’s sister, they said. They made a comment that it was three “Ds” singing. They added the word “praise.”
Cliff works in sales and services at the Sweet Home Les Schwab Tire Center. George is a sergeant with Sweet Home Police Department. David is a dispatcher with Lebanon Police Department and a member of the LPD reserves.
George is married to Suzanne. Cliff is married to Katie, and they have one son, Christian Michael. David is married to Corinna, and they have four children, Titus, Jude, Hosanna and Eden.
A copy of the CD is available by calling Cliff at 401-9212, David at 401-0519 or George at 401-7240.