Great song, it just makes you want to dance, no wonder Paul is moving about like he is. Ann, Joy and Donnie haven't changed much at all, they still look the same, just a little older, like the rest of us. God Bless The Downings.
My VERY TALENTED Brother, David Redman, wrote this song!!! It was so exciting as a young girl to see it go to #1. We were really proud of him. However, I must say that his continuing walk with the Lord, makes me even more proud!!!
Wow...such memories. Saw them in concert in Riverside, California during the tour of this LP. Pretty exciting and unforgettable evening. Could never get this song out of my head.
My favorite group as a youngster in the early 70s. Plus, I thought Joy was just the cutest little redhead....the fact that she could flat out sing didn't hurt either :-)
No, it was the Downings - I have the audio clip and the remastered Downings CD and it's the same track with Joy Dyson singing the lead. I also communicated with Anne Downing who said they were aware that Doc ran their video night after night and that they were grateful to him for the exposure. She also said that none of the Downings have a copy of the video and would be really happy if someone would find it.
Cool! I hope someone finds The Downings video clip of "Operator" They had a big Gospel hit that was Top 10 back about '76-77. They were on the 700 Club and lip-synched the song. Dr. Gene Scott used to run that clip night after night in the early 80's with the Statesman's "I Wanna Know" back to back. I wish I had taped it. The 700 Clubs archives have been thrown out - along with that clip! I know Scott's widow Melissa who pastors his church does but it's doubtful she'll run Doc "Festival" shows.
That makes two of us! I had a big-time crush on Paul after I saw the Downings in the summer of 1977, and they did have a much more contemporary vocal group sound than most of southern Gospel had at the time. What a great clip!
Wow! Great to hear this terrific song again. Thanks for posting it.
raydunakin 10 months ago
Great song, it just makes you want to dance, no wonder Paul is moving about like he is. Ann, Joy and Donnie haven't changed much at all, they still look the same, just a little older, like the rest of us. God Bless The Downings.
luke6918 1 year ago
My VERY TALENTED Brother, David Redman, wrote this song!!! It was so exciting as a young girl to see it go to #1. We were really proud of him. However, I must say that his continuing walk with the Lord, makes me even more proud!!!
Thank you so much for posting it!!! : )
BOH1959 1 year ago
One of my favorite gospel songs from the 70's, and one of my favorite groups from that era.
Pearly1961 2 years ago
Wow...such memories. Saw them in concert in Riverside, California during the tour of this LP. Pretty exciting and unforgettable evening. Could never get this song out of my head.
TVWriterGuy 2 years ago
My favorite group as a youngster in the early 70s. Plus, I thought Joy was just the cutest little redhead....the fact that she could flat out sing didn't hurt either :-)
bakogoofball 2 years ago
I see Fred Satterfield on drums and a VERY young Ronnie Fairchild on they keyboards in the back....
Oakswarrior 2 years ago
wow, this is great to hear this old favorite. I was a very young Christian when I first heard this. I miss these old songs.
Nilegirl07 2 years ago 3
No, it was the Downings - I have the audio clip and the remastered Downings CD and it's the same track with Joy Dyson singing the lead. I also communicated with Anne Downing who said they were aware that Doc ran their video night after night and that they were grateful to him for the exposure. She also said that none of the Downings have a copy of the video and would be really happy if someone would find it.
DaManFromPlaid 3 years ago
Cool! I hope someone finds The Downings video clip of "Operator" They had a big Gospel hit that was Top 10 back about '76-77. They were on the 700 Club and lip-synched the song. Dr. Gene Scott used to run that clip night after night in the early 80's with the Statesman's "I Wanna Know" back to back. I wish I had taped it. The 700 Clubs archives have been thrown out - along with that clip! I know Scott's widow Melissa who pastors his church does but it's doubtful she'll run Doc "Festival" shows.
DaManFromPlaid 3 years ago
It was "Dove" who did Operator on Doc Scott's show.
mmdaddio 3 years ago
good Lord, i thought i would be dead and in Heaven before i had the pleasure to see a golden nugget like this! thanks to adkinsda for this.
1954terry1954 3 years ago
That makes two of us! I had a big-time crush on Paul after I saw the Downings in the summer of 1977, and they did have a much more contemporary vocal group sound than most of southern Gospel had at the time. What a great clip!
cactusblue60 2 years ago 2
Glad to see some clips of the Downings are making it to youtube!
caddyorganist 3 years ago 2
You know, back in the day, they must have been VERY contemporary as far as Southern Gospel music went.
terrillwhite78 3 years ago