Heritage Groups
The McDuff Brothers

          Lorne Matthews was with the McDuff Brothers from 1967-69. The group was a trio consisting of John, Colman, and Roger McDuff, with Lorne Matthews as their pianist. The group takes some credit for helping bring Bill Gaither's songs to prominence; along with the Speer Family and Doug Oldham, they were one of the earliest groups to start singing his music. They even recognized him as an up-and-coming songwriter from the stage of the National Quartet convention, calling him up on stage and introducing him to the crowd.
          Lorne Matthews had always wanted to play piano for the Blackwood Brothers. One night, he dreamed that James Blackwood called him and offered him the position with the Blackwood Brothers. However, in that dream, God told him to stay with the McDuff Brothers. Shortly after the dream, James Blackwood actually called Matthews and offered him the job. However, once Matthews shared the dream with Blackwood, Blackwood said: "Lorne, if God has spoken to you in that manner in a dream, then I would not encourage you to leave The McDuff Brothers." Matthews then stayed with the McDuff Brothers until the group disbanded.