It all began in 1982 when Doris was talking with music producer, Tommy West. Tommy expressed his desire to produce an all-female vocal group and the rest is music history. At the time all four girls were performing in shows at Opryland USA. Tommy West was offered a position at the new MTM Record label in Nashville, TN. where the girls were given their first recording contract. Love Will Get You Through Times of No Money was the first release and topped the country music Billboard charts at #14. The second single, Slowboat to China , turned out to be a top 10 release, The song topped the Billboard charts at #8. The group continued to perform and release music, later, on Atlantic Records where they were produced by Nelson Larkin.
During their time together they toured extensively with The Oak Ridge Boys and The Statler Brothers. Of course, they opened for many others (Lee Greenwood, The Judds, Randy Travis, Reba McEntire, to name a few) as well as headlining on their own. They appeared numerous times on TNN television shows, Nashville Now with Ralph Emory, and Crook and Chase. They were also interviewed by Bryant Gumbel on The Today Show while in NYC for NYSE-hosted block party for the refurbishment of the Statue of Liberty.
In 1991 Girls Next Door decided to take a break from the road and performing to raise children and care for parents. It has been 31 years and the group is back together to record and hit the stage. It is like no time has passed!
Tammy
Music has been a driving force in my life since I started performing with my family at age 5. I have been living my passion for 55 years on the stage, whether at churches, school assemblies, fairgrounds, night clubs, stadiums, arenas, television, recording studios or just about any place that will let me sing! I currently live in North Carolina with my husband, Jeff, of 38 years. We have a 30 year old daughter, Riley, and a 25 year old son, Owen. I work for Christopher Ministries, Inc. as the Treasurer and admin. It is a non-profit that ministers through counseling to the hurting. I also have an Instagram page, kitchentimewithtammy, where I prepare meals from our family cookbook. My life is full of love, joy and laughter. I am truly blessed!
Diane
I have been singing as long as I can remember. My father was blessed to have a beautiful singing voice. I am pretty sure that’s where it came from. I was born in Germany, lived in Belgium, Denver, Nashville, and I now reside in Murfreesboro, TN. My husband, Ben is a Sociology Professor at Middle Tennessee State University and between us we have 6 wonderful grown children, 5 grandchildren and 3 greats! I spend my spare time silversmithing jewelry and loving on my 2 granddaughters, Skylar and Harper who just happen to live nearby. I am a retired music teacher and entrepreneur. I have owned a Music and Drama Academy and a Boutique - never a dull moment!
One month after my teaching retirement I was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer. For several years now I have had no evidence of disease. Praise God!!!
I have always stayed very busy and have been blessed with so much. Life is GOOD.
Doris
I was born and raised in Nashville Tennessee and grew up singing in my church and riding Tennessee walking horses. I began my professional singing career at Opryland USA my senior year in high school and went on to attended Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama as a music major. Upon returning to Nashville, working as a studio singer, singing background vocals, commercials and jingles, I had the opportunity to meet producer Tommy West and “GIRLS NEXT DOOR” were formed. The rest is history.
I moved to Hugo, OK, married Mike Merritt, a Texan and the preacher of Cowboy Crossing Church in Hugo where I lead the music. Mike & I helped start cowboy churches across Oklahoma, traveling, speaking & providing music. Along with “Merritt Cowboy Ministries” we have a CD titled “Detours”. Our Sunday morning radio show “Detours” airs at 9am in Natchez, MS, Vidalia and Ferriday, LA and streamed live worldwide on The Gator 104.7. We were honored blessed when the “International Country Gospel Music Association” awarded us “Duo of the Year”, “Album of the Year”, “Female Vocalist”, “Award of Excellence” and later inducted into the ICGMA “Hall of Fame”.
During this time, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and began a journey of faith, trust & God’s power to comfort and heal! I was healed and all the glory goes to God!
I have a son, Cheyenne, now 30 years old and a granddaughter, Allie, 9. Together Mike and I have 4 children, 8 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren!!
I am so excited and ready to be part of a new journey, singing and having a lot of fun with “Girls Next Door” 2.0 Now or Never Tour!!!
Cindy
I was born and raised in Nashville, TN. and I sang my first solo at church at the age of 5. Growing up, my home was filled with Gospel and Country music. I went on to study music at Belmont College. During those years, I worked as an entertainer at Opryland USA. After touring with GND, My husband, Mike, and I raised our family. We are blessed to have 2 daughters, 2 sons-in-law, and 2 grandchildren! I worked for a school system in the surrounding Nashville area. Mike and I have been involved in our church and worship ministry there for many years. I feel that God has blessed me in so many ways and I am very excited about making music again with GND.
