The McKameys
Current Members
Peg McKamey Bean
Ruben Bean
Sheryl Farris
Connie Fortner
Roger Fortner
Elijah Fortner
Current Album: Live! Like No Other
The McKameys History
The McKameys got their start in 1954 as "The McKamey Sisters." The original group consisted of sister Peg McKamey, Dora McKamey, and Carol McKamey. The McKamey Sisters were joined by Ruben Bean in 1957 assuming the role of guitar player. Ruben would later begin to sing Bass for the group and would marry Peg McKamey.
The first album recorded by "The McKamey Family" was released in 1968. This album is entitled "The Family Prayer." Since this time there have been over 50 additional albums released by the McKameys. Several number one songs have been recorded on these albums.
The McKameys have had very few staff changes over the years. In 1972 sisters Dora and Carol retired, when this happened Connie and Sheryl Bean, daughters of Peg and Ruben, began to travel and sing with their parents.
The McKameys began traveling full time in 1980. In 1983 Sheryl stopped traveling with the group. Carol came back to the group at this time and remained until 2009 when Sheryl returned once again.
In 2019 the McKameys announced their plans to retire with almost fourty years of full time ministry in southern gospel music. The group has been singing together since 1954 totaling sixty five years of ministry. The McKameys retired in November of 2019. They have since released a Live DVD/CD that was recorded at the National Quartet Convention in September 2019.
Group Members
Vocalist
Dora McKamey: 1954 - 1971
Carol McKamey Woodard: 1954 - 1971, 1984 - 2009
Peg McKamey Bean: 1954 - Present
Ruben Bean: 1957 - Present
Connie Bean Fortner: 1971 - Present
Sheryl Bean Farris: 1971 - 1984, 2009 - Present
Piano
Jeff Treece: 1994 - 1996
Randall Hunley: Unknown
Guitar
Roger Fortner: 1987 - Present
Eli Fortner: 1999 - Present
Number One Songs
Peg Bean
Ruben Bean
Sheryl Farris
Connie Fortner
Roger Fortner
Elijah Fortner
Sept. 1984: Who Put The Tears In The Eyes Of The Lamb
Oct. - Dec. 1987: Getting Used To The Dark
Nov. 1988 - Mar. 1989: God On The Mountain
Jan. - Feb. 1991: God Will Make This Trial A Blessing
Feb. - Apr. 1993: Do You Know How It Feels
Oct. 1993: A Borrow Tomb
Jun. - Sept. 1994: Arise
Nov. 1997: Right On Time
Nov. 1999: Roll That Burden On Me
Nov. 2001: I've Won
May 2002: He Calms Me
June 2005: The Good News
Dec. 2005 - Jan. 2006: I Am Home
Aug. 2006: I Will Trust You Lord
Nov. 2009: Between 12 and 33
June 2010: I Keep Praying
Dec. 2010: The Shepherd's Point Of View
Aug. 2011: Above And Beyond
Jan. 2013 - Unspoken Requests
July 2015: Pure Satisfaction
SGMA Hall Of Fame
2016 - Peg McKamey Bean
2019 - Ruben Bean