Going for the Grammy

Steel Magnolias nominated for music award

By Jeff Walker

When record producer Malcom Harper told Debbie Daniel recently that he’d nominated The Steel Magnolias for a Grammy, Daniel waited patiently for the punchline.

But Harper was completely serious.

“I really thought he was joking,” Daniel, the director of the local all-female gospel group, said. “I said ‘yeah right, Malcom...’ You know, it’s the first round (of nominations) and I’m not sure if it’s going to go anywhere at all, but I do trust the Lord to know that anything can happen.”

The Steel Magnolias, a singing group of local women ranging from ages 38 to 92, recorded an album in January. Harper, a Grammy winner himself who lives in Buda and runs the Reel Recording Studio in Austin, produced and engineered the project. The women recorded at Manchaca Baptist Church on a Saturday, and Harper liked the finished product so much, he entered the CD to the first round of nominations in the Gospel category.

Daniel said the women were overwhelmed with the news.

“When I announced it at a rehearsal the other night, they sat their with their mouths hanging open wondering ‘how does this happen?’” Daniel said. “I think Malcom saw something unique with this record. It wasn’t just your rendered country or gospel album. It’s a bunch of energetic ladies up there singing real gospel music.”

The Steel Magnolias rehearse twice a week and tour around the state every month — they have 14 dates in October — performing a variety of choreographed Gospel hymns at church services and evening concerts.

The group, composed mainly by members of First Baptist Church in San Marcos, joined several years ago after Daniel was recovering from knee surgery.

“These ladies from the church were coming by the house, bringing soups and such while I recovered from surgery,” Daniel said. “After I got on my feet I thanked them for doing so much, and told them that I was going to pay them back by getting them on their feet, rehearsing and presenting local concerts. They looked at me and said ‘surely you are kidding.’”

But she wasn’t. And they started that afternoon doing some choreographed movements to songs, and soon became regulars at the monthly Grand Ole Gospel Sing concerts. The oldest member is 92-year-old Evelyn Meehan.

“I’ve really wanted to slow her down a little bit, but I just can’t,” Daniel said. “Evelyn just got out of Hays Nursing rehab after a hip replacement, but she’s going strong.”

And as the Steel Magnolias continue go gain steam, it’s that kind of energy, she says, that attracts listeners around the state.

“When people watch these ladies get up there, the house comes down when they are singing. With their enthusiasm for the songs, and their enthusiasm for the Lord, it shows through,” Daniel said.

And the Grammy? Daniel knows its a long shot — but they’re thrilled beyond words for the time being.

“Anything can happen. Who knows?” Daniel said.