In the 1960's, songs like "My Girl", "Stand By Me", and "Soul Man" took their place in American music history. Motown had gone mainstream, and soul music finally was getting the "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" it deserved. It was during these years of the 60's that the members of The Great Society Band grew their roots.
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 selection 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 has always 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 leader Cleve 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 would also frequently slip into Columbia's all-black clubs to hear his soul heroes of the day. From the mid 60's 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 Chick Bayless and saxophonist Ron Watson came along musically after the 1960's, but the influences of that era are still plentiful. Chuck's roots are solidly in rock & 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 Ronald Watson got a great deal of his training in the U.S. Army Band. His experience in the service also took him literally around the world playing his instrument. Ron's influences are highly rooted in jazz and soul music, and one can hear traces of Grover Washington, Stanley Turrentine, and even Stan Getz in Ron's soulful style.
The Great Society Band is like one big tapestry of many rich hues and textures. Five distinct individuals playing a wide variety of music; from sophisticated jazz to funky soul music to pumping rock; that's what's in the name......The Great Society Band.
Brown Eyes Girl
Brown Sugar
Can't Help Fallin' in Love
Celebration
Chain of Fools
Crazy
Electric Slide
Get Here
Givin'It Up for
Your Love
Great Balls of Fire
Hot Stuff
Have I Told You Lately
I Fall To Pieces
I Feel Good
I Love The Nightlife
I Will Survive
I'll Be There
I Will Always Love You
Little Sister
Love Me Tender
Love Potion #9
Margaritaville
Moondance
Mustang Sally
Old Time Rock & Roll
Pink Cadillac
Pretty Woman
Respect
Soul Man
Shout
Something To Talk About
Twist and Shout
Unchained Melody
We Are Family
Woolly Bully
When A Man Loves A
Woman
We've Only Just Begun
Whole Lotta Shakin'
Wind Beneath My Wings
The Way We Were
Wonderful Tonight
Will You Still Love Me
Ain't Too Proud to Beg
Barefootin'
Be Young, Be Foolish
Black Drawers
Dock of the Bay
Don't Play That Song
Empty Arms
How Sweet It Is
Thru The Grapevine
I Love Beach Music
Just A Gigolo
Kansas City
Lipstick Traces
Miss Grace
My Girl
My Guy
Myrtle Beach Days
Only You
Save The Last Dance
634-5789
Sixty-Minute Man
Stagger Lee
Stand By Me
Sugar Pie Honey Bunch
Summertime's Callin'
Thank You John
This Magic Moment
Under The Boardwalk
Up On The Roof
Way You Do The Things
With This Ring
You're So Mean
39-21-40
Shape/Hey
All of Me
At Last
Autumn Leaves
Beyond the Sea
Blue Bossa
Blue Skies
Body and Soul
Corcovado
Days of Wine & Roses
Don't Get Around Much
Duke's Place
For Sentimental Reasons
Georgia On My Mind
Girl From Impanema
How High The Moon
I Can't Get Started
I Only Have Eyes
It Don't Mean a Thing
It Had To Be You
Just In Time
Love Is Here To Stay
Mack the Knife
Makin' Whoopie
Meditation
Misty
Moon River
More Today Than
My Funny Valentine
New York, NY
Night and Day
Pennies From Heaven
Route 66
Satin Doll
Stardust
Summertime
Take The A Train
Tenderly
Tennessee Waltz
Unforgettable
Way you look Tonight
When I Fall In Love
What a Wonderful World
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