I have known Dave Daw and the Proverbs for a great number of years. Dave is a stickler for excellence both in his role with the group and in his recording studio Summit Sound. In the years that I’ve known Dave and the Proverbs, I have had the pleasure of witnessing a group that has always been very good, transform into a group that is excellent. Dave, Kathy and Karyl conduct themselves professionally and with class and humility, both on and off the stage.
Because of their persistent hard work, the Proverbs have become one of the best-known Ontario Christian artists. Their career started back in 1967 and is going stronger than ever today. The group has many musical influences and it shows in their performance. The end result is a variety of music that is unique to the Proverbs but always showcases their smooth vocal harmonies. The Proverbs consist of Dave Daw and his wife Kathy, along with Dave’s sister Karyl Tymciw. The Daw’s youngest daughter Natasha regularly joins Dave, Kathy and Karyl on stage as a fourth vocalist. You will usually find the group busy somewhere, performing many concerts on the weekend. Paul Tymciw helps run the audio board for the Proverbs.
The history of the current group involves the combining of two musical families. The Proverbs and the Johnston Singers, one of the Canadian Gospel Music Association’s Top Female Groups, were performing regularly from the early 1960’s until the late 1970’s. Kathy and Karen Johnston, along with Cheryl Perry, made up the Johnston Singers. The two groups were slated to be in concert together in the fall of 1974, in Pembroke, Ontario. Dave met Kathy at these concerts and in 1977, Dave and Kathy became engaged. They were married in May of 1979.
Dave and Kathy have four children: Jeremy, Justin, Angela and Natasha. Karyl Daw and Paul Tymciw married in 1985 and have three children; Ashley, Ben and Jacob. The Daws live in Westport, Ontario and also operate a professional recording studio, Summit Sound, which is known for excellence in CD and DVD manufacturing, graphic design and custom printing. The Tymciw’s live in Amhersview, Ontario and are employed in nearby Kingston.
From the early 1980’s onward, the voices of Dave, Kathy and Karyl became the most popular vocal combination for the Proverbs, producing some of their best-selling albums. The Proverbs also were privileged to have various vocalists and musicians with the group in the 1980’s, including Dave Taylor, Brenda Walsh, Dave’s sister Suzanne and Steve Olmstead. Kathy’s sister Karen and her husband Neil also were with the group in the early ‘90’s. However, in 1994, Kathy and Dave Daw found themselves travelling as a duet, which continued until 2001. At that time, Karen and Neil re-joined the group for five years. After their departure in 2008, Karyl Tymciw rejoined the Proverbs with her husband Paul. This combination of the Proverbs is the present group.
In The Proverbs have travelled across Canada and into the United States. They have also shared the stage with many of gospel music’s big name artists, many of which are seen on some of the Gaither videos. Recently, the Proverbs enjoyed singing with Russ Taff and Janet Paschal.
Even though all members of the Proverbs are accomplished musicians, the present group performs as a vocal group accompanied by background music from their albums. The group is busy touring in support of their 21st album, The Proverbs Distracted By God. For a complete list of the Proverbs music, please visit the website listed below.
From their humble beginnings in 1967 as a group of elementary school children, hard work and persistent dedication to their craft have brought The Proverbs to where they now enjoy national recognition. The Canadian Gospel Music Association (CGMA) has bestowed the award of Top Mixed Group on The Proverbs more than a dozen times. Kathy Daw has been voted Canada’s top female gospel vocalist by CGMA seven times. Dave and Kathy Daw have received the CGMA Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of outstanding contributions to the advancement of Gospel Music in Canada.
The Proverbs all share the personal conviction, “that anything we do for Christ should be done to the best of our ability.†Their constant dedication is very evident on stage as they endeavor to conduct their personal lives and ministry mindful of II Corinthians 5:20: “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us.â€
As of 2012, the Proverbs have been singing for an unbelievable 45 years and hope to continue their ministry for many more years to come. It is my personal honor and good fortune to know these fine folks. For any event, big or small, I’m pleased to recommend The Proverbs
http://www.facebook.com/theproverbs1
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/distracted/id456108824?ls=1Â to listen to latest new song
By Phil Foster
