The Great Society Band

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.