DOE Takes Her Leap Of Faith

Husband and wife DeWitt and Kim Jones grew up in Washington and came from musical backgrounds in their families. They had been writing songs since the 90s. DeWitt enjoyed some success as a songwriter when singer Ron Kenoly recorded DeWitt’s song “Use Me” for the 1994 album God Is Able. The song has since become a staple in many churches and has been covered several times, most notably by the Grammy-winning Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.

Of course the couple went on to have children who also developed a love for God and music. It made their next step a logical one; they would go on to form a family musical group. DeWitt says that God gave him a “specific call” one time to start the group. Forever Jones was then formed with their five children: D’Jeniele, DeWitt, Judah, Dominique, and Mya Joy Grace. The Jones family’s manager and friend was singer/producer Jeoffrey Benward. He then introduced them to writer/producer Tommy Sims, who agreed to produce their debut album. The album Get Ready was released on 2010 receiving favorable critics.

In 2011, the band received three Dove Award nominations for New Artist of the Year, Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year, and Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year at the 42nd GMA Dove Awards. They were also nominated for two Grammy Awards at the 53rd Grammy Awards: Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album and Best Gospel Performance.

For me, and possibly a few of you reading this post today, your first introduction might have been through the family short television series during the summer of 2013: Forever Jones. The show followed the family band and their everyday life as they went about functioning as a family and musical group. If was quite interesting as we were introduced to each family member and their individual problems and aspirations. It also documented how the family unit made decisions with the church always the foundation.

At this time I was introduced to middle daughter Dominique. It was apparent right away that the young woman possessed great musical talent, as she wrote many of the songs the group sang. She also took the lead vocals on much of Forever Jones performances. What I found refreshing was a family with problems like most of us, that also demonstrated love and concern for each other. Many might live for the drama and dysfunction of reality TV, however the Jones family provided us with something different.

Like so many musical groups, there is usually one member that shines more than the others. At that time the opportunity to perform as a solo artist is presented. For the Jones family, this moment played out on television as I predicted from the first episode. However, the father DeWitt had reservations as a dream made him feel the move would cause trouble. DOE received offers for record deals, but felt none of them were right for her, so she continued to do ministry work as a youth pastor in Dallas, and worked behind the scenes on her sound and message. This dedication led to DOE being featured on Jonathan McReynolds’ single “Cycles” from his 2018 album Make Room. She eventually released two singles of her own, “Deepest Part of You” and “Reach”.

Even though DOE started that leap of faith into a solo career in 2014, circumstances were not right for her at the time to accept one of the many offers. “I started experimenting with that and really just honestly doing what was in my heart – doing prayer music and using prayer tools to help people pray.”

I think DOE ran into some of the same issues secular artists face when considering the lure of the solo career. There is a need to weigh all of the offers and find the one that fits you (the artist and person) best. Ultimately, even gospel music is a business, and must be approached as such. DOE’s father DeWitt understood this point. The Jones family had respect for his feelings and followed his lead on moving forward, but doing so with great caution.

Six years after many of the offers started for DOE to begin her solo career, Jonathan McReynolds label proved to be the answer. Wowed by both her singing and songwriting prowess, McReynolds and Life Room Label’s President, Walter Thomas, and Head of A&R, Darryl Howell, signed DOE in early 2020 and began working on her debut solo album. He says, “I’ve been a fan of DOE for years now. She’s special. This music is special.” McReynolds hopes to usher in a new wave of music through this partnership and various joint ventures. He shares, “I feel like the Life Room Label will be the destination for a new generation of Christian expression and will be one of the best parts of my life!” Funny, I though McReynolds ushered in a new wave of gospel music back in 2012. Perhaps DOE represents another wave.

On the show, DOE’s parents and siblings all understood that DOE had a very special gift. A talent for reaching people through her music that would last for years. “I’m excited to use the outlet of music to express the heart of God and have important conversations with people about life, love, and relationships. The best is yet to come,” she says.

DOE’s first album, a self-titled EP,  was released October 2020 is available now. She co-wrote all of the tracks on the EP, with Jonathan McReynolds, Dee Wilson, and her brother Judah. The EP, which features award winning producer Daryl Howell, is a rich, neosoul, eclectic soundtrack of her life that she is eager to share. “It’s a very vulnerable album for me. It is me talking about my life and what God has shown me, without being super ‘religious,’” DOE admits. “I feel this is where I am supposed to be. I’m going to take this journey hand-in-hand with everyone and it’s going to be a learning experience. I’m excited about that.”

We are along for DOE’s musical journey and leap of faith into her solo music career.