Dukes dreams big

“God created rocks,” said Spencer native and musician Cameron Dukes. “We can make a hospital with it or beat someone over the head with it.” Dukes said he uses this analogy to explain his view on music. He explained that music itself isn’t a bad thing. It can be molded for good or molded to promote badness. Once he began to realize the power of music, Dukes, who currently resides in Midwest City, made a decision to always let his music be a positive influence.

This musician didn’t always subscribe to this train of thought, however. An avid music-lover, Dukes recorded his first album when he was 11 years old. The next few years were a series of talent shows and shows with various singing groups in the local area. After graduating from high school, Dukes decided to create his own recording company. He had begun producing records for four artists when a decision he made flipped his view of music upside-down.

“I got saved. And I started working on gospel music after that,” Dukes said. This was in 2000. Since that day, Dukes has been committed to performing solo gospel songs.

This change in music style didn’t slow down his career, however. In 2004, Dukes received a distribution deal on his first CD, titled “Cam Just Listen.” The CD went nationwide. His second CD, released in 2007, is titled “Cam, the platform.” This CD also went nationwide.

Dukes writes and produces over 80 percent of his content under his company Doulos Records. When not making music, he travels the nation and world performing. Dukes has been to Texas, Kansas, California, Canada, Africa, Arizona, Michigan and Virginia. Dukes said his Virginia performance was especially impacting on him because he sang at a memorial service for students killed by a student shooter at Virginia Tech.

For a time, Dukes became interested in starting a jingle company. It was during this period that he composed the Internet-famous Mr. Spriggs BBQ song, a well-known commercial for a Midwest City restaurant. Although this was more of a fun side project for Dukes, he has had opportunities to spread his music through the experience.

“Somebody called from Canada--a DJ. He said he wanted to be the first to play it on the radio,” said Dukes. The DJ told him that several dance clubs in the area were playing the song already. Dukes agreed to let the DJ release the barbecue jingle on the radio as long as the DJ agreed to play his other music as well.

This isn’t the first mainstream media to pick up Dukes tunes, though. He said that 103.5 FM and 1140 AM play his music.

“There’s a lot of stations across the nation actually playing my music as well,” he said.

BET Gospel also plays his music video on their television station.

Performing is not the only thing that Dukes foresees in his future. He is in the beginning stages of creating a Christian record label in Oklahoma. He said he wants to feature many of the talented local artists. Right now, Dukes is primarily working on creating connections to help him get started.

Although Dukes said he is living his dream, it is often a surreal experience. He credits most of his success to prayer. He also studied diligently to learn the ins and outs of the music industry. Dukes remembers spending days at the library, studying marketing books.

As for his music talent, Dukes gives the credit elsewhere.

“It’s all a gift from God.”

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