"What's In A Name?"
Drummer/lead vocalist Frank Macaulay collected hundreds (if not thousands) of soul 45 RPM records throughout the 60's. He'd sing along, learning countless tunes of artists like James Brown, Wilson Pickett, and Ben E. King. In 1964, Frank bought his first set of drums and never stopped drumming. Frank went on to perform with numerous bands which toured around the country, playing drums and singing as a featured vocalist. Today, Frank's specialty is his mellow baritone voice, which shines on the band's selections of beach music, a brand of soul music particularly popular along the south-Atlantic coast.
In the mid 1960's, female vocalist Nadine Taylor was faced with a delightful dilemma. She had just started college and was singing in a local band in the Columbia, SC area. Her group appeared as an opening act for a nationally-known female soul group. Nadine's talent really stood out, the other group's manager was duly impressed, and soon after, Nadine was offered a position in the star group. Torn between a college education and fame as a singer, Nadine (with "gentle persuasion" from her family) opted to stay in school. She went on to become an elementary school teacher, but she always has been in demand as a vocalist in various bands around South Carolina. Her gospel roots and influences are her strength, and she still finds time to sing in her church choir.
Classically trained from age six, keyboardist, vocalist and band leaderCleve Edwards got his first transistor radio in the 60's around age ten. Late one night, he discovered WOIC, the local soul radio station in Columbia, SC, and was forever changed. Luckily large for his early teen years, Cleve began to easily enter night clubs to play in bands from age thirteen on through high school. During the 60's, he also would frequently slip into Columbia's all-black clubs to hear his soul heroes of the day. From the mid-sixties to today, Cleve has been an artist signed to Mainstream Records, toured in the 70's with national recording acts, earned music and media arts degrees, wrote and produced music for the Public Broadcasting System, owned a recording studio, and played just about every type of music from rock to jazz to country to soul, even ethnic Greek and Jewish music.
Guitarist Chuck Bayless and saxophonist Bob Fowler nicely round out the Great Society Band's rich sound. Chuck's roots are solidly in rock and blues, counting as influences blues icons such as Albert King, Eric Clapton, and B.B. King. Today, Chuck is highly sought-after as a sideman and studio musician in the midland South Carolina area. He also collects and deals vintage guitars and is an expert guitar repairman.
Saxophonist/flutist Bob Fowler attended the prestigous Berklee School of Music in Boston and the University of South Carolina. He has performed with a number of regional bands in his career, including a stint with Nashville recording artist Rob Crosby. Bob has written music for various shows on PBS, and has penned numerous other compositions in the jazz genre. Don't let his serious side fool you; Bob loves to take center stage and entertain you with his soulful vocal style.