Update on Mack Taunton
Not too long after singing tenor for the Cathedral Quartet from 1968-1972, Mack Taunton more or less slipped out of the Southern Gospel scene, except for an occasional appearance, like at the Cathedrals’ 1995 Reunion.
A couple of days ago, I heard from his son, Steven Taunton. He said his father is enjoying leading a normal life in Oklahoma, and is working with Steven on recording a new project. Steven said if anyone wanted to contact his father, they could do so via his (Steven’s) email address: sgt_68@yahoo.com.
Blame it on whatever you like! Fact is, my reason is simple enough: I have no interest in any secular music. 
(jealous pout)
Comment by abk (August 7, 2008, 9:40 am)
Mack Taunton is my favorite Cathedral tenor hands-down.
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Comment by natesings (August 7, 2008, 5:17 pm)
He was great on the Cathedral Reunion video.
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Comment by Gayla (August 7, 2008, 6:10 pm)
Hidee,
I am so glad to hear some news about Mack Taunton. He is truly one of my all time favorite vocalists! As I said before elsewhere, I believe he absolutely “stole the show” at the Cathedral Reunion that was sold on video!
The last time I saw Mack was at Dale McCoy’s funeral in Ok City. Mack and Dale had several successful years with the regional Sonner State Boys. Their recordings (only released on cassette) are tremendous. In fact, Mack was a member of the Sooner State Boys when they filmed the Reunion video.
The Cathedral Quartet albums with Geln, George, Danny and Mack are some of the greatest albums recorded!
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Comment by Quaid (August 7, 2008, 9:07 pm)
I’ve never seen the entire reunion video, just a short edited TV broadcast years ago. They mass of the televised footage was with Kirk and Ernie, and maybe one or 2 songs with Danny. So I’ve not seen Mac perform on it.
But, I have heard a few songs from it on vaious CD’s. One of those on a CD was “Unclouded Day”-is it Mack Taunton singing that song?
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Comment by Daniel J. Mount (August 8, 2008, 6:57 am)
Yes.
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Comment by Steven (August 10, 2008, 8:51 am)
Actually, On the original recording of “Uncloudy Day”, that was Bobby Clark… I am awear that my dad is on the cover of the album, but it is Bobby singing on that whole album. I asked my dad about that years ago. He said, “That’s just the way things worked back then” You released what you had and promoted the group that was working.
That’s why on the reunion video, my dad says “eat your heart out bobby” in the middle of his solo break.
steve
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Comment by Amy Rogers (August 11, 2008, 10:08 am)
Very interesting! My brother and I quote the line now and then, but more often “A little gray on the roof don’t mean there ain’t no fire in the furnace.” (I don’t remember who said that one.)
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Heidi Reply:
August 19th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Steve, thanks for input and clarifications! I do have the Reunion video/album, and his quip to Bobby Clark makes so much more sense now!
I think the only other album I have that features Mack would be the Cathedrals Family Album – is that right?
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Comment by Steven (August 11, 2008, 4:37 pm)
“A little gray on the roof don’t mean there ain’t no fire in the furnace” … Mack Taunton
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Comment by Quaid (August 11, 2008, 7:42 pm)
That’s interesting. Steven, thanks for sharing. I’ve often wondered about that.
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Comment by Steven (August 12, 2008, 4:37 pm)
Point of interest, there a few albums from Th Cathedrals that has my dad on the cover yet has Bobby singing… I’m not sure, but I believe that “The Family Album” is another one. I think the first album my dad sang on with The Cathedrals was “Focus on Glenn Payne”.
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Comment by Daniel J. Mount (August 12, 2008, 4:38 pm)
I’m going through my old Cathedrals albums this week and re-evaluating them. I’ll put up a post specifically dedicated to this discussion in the next day or two.
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Pingback by SouthernGospelBlog.com » Cathedrals projects with Mack Taunton on the cover—but possibly not vocals (August 14, 2008, 7:47 am)
[...] recently did a post with an update on Mack Taunton. His son Stephen has posted in the comments several times; one [...]
Comment by Steven (August 14, 2008, 6:13 pm)
The Album “I Saw The Light” is 100% my dad… That is my all time favorite gospel album…
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Comment by Don Smith (September 20, 2008, 5:31 am)
Mack was one of the best tenors in gospel music, I remember Mack when he was with the Templeaires in Flint, Mi before going to the Cats.
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Comment by Steven Taunton (October 4, 2008, 10:50 am)
There are two videos of Mack Taunton on youtube.com from the very early 70’s… He’s the tall guy
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Comment by Steven Taunton (October 4, 2008, 10:52 am)
Uncle Don… is that you?
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Don Smith Reply:
October 16th, 2009 at 8:44 am
No Steve its not Uncle Don but his second cousin just happen to have the same name except middle. I sang with your dad for a little while with the Templeaires after George Amon left and prior to the Salvation singing Society.
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Comment by Jeff Gustafson (February 17, 2009, 3:47 pm)
Steven, I’ve often wondered why so many singers came and went with the Cathedral Quartet. I watched the Cathedrals Reunion VHS tape so often that I about wore it out. Your dad was a hoot, and I enjoyed his singing a lot. So, why did Mack Taunton leave the Cathedrals, and what has he done since?
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Comment by David Green (February 21, 2009, 9:33 pm)
WE are from Simcoe Ontario Canada. My wife and I first meet Mack Taunton when he was with the Cathedrals and they
sang at a concert I promoted at Cayuga High School here in Canada. They drove all the way from Akron that day in their Winnabego, sang the concert and then drove home that night.
There was Mack, Danny, George and Glen. That was the start of a life long friendship with the Cats. I hadn’t see Mack since he left the Cathedrals but would get updates from Glen and George. We attended Glen’s funeral in Hendersonville Tenn and meet George Amon, Haskell Cooley, Roy Trembly, Lorne Mathews and Bud Seeker the bus driver before the service. I asked if Mack was coming and they said he was supposed to be there. After the service we exited the auditorium and ran right into Mack in the foyer. How good it was to finally see him again and talk about old times. I’m happy to hear he is doing well. We also enjoyed the 25th Ann tape. It brougtht back alot of memories. Send our best to him from David and Joan Green
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Comment by Fred Brown (March 2, 2009, 5:28 pm)
Hello
We, “The Harmony Singers” are recording a CD and will name it Crimson River. We would like to know if your dad wrote this song and also who the publisher is so we can obtain the Mechanical License for the recording.
Any info you can give will be greatly appreciated.
Thank You & God Bless
Fred Brown
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Comment by Tim Dombrowski (May 16, 2009, 7:23 am)
Hello, I just wanted to comment that I grew up watching and listening to Mack, George, Danny and Don (the Templares) at Flint Baptist Temple, and not knowing differently, didn’t realize how great these guys were until later years, seeing other groups in other places made me realize what a special talent these men were at a very special time, I know Macks voice as well as my own and miss hearing him, “Walk With Me” was my absolute favorite.
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Comment by george maddrell (June 21, 2009, 12:03 pm)
Hello to Mack.Ginny and I and our family have been thinking about you and wanting to know where you are and how things are with you.
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Comment by Everett Eddy (July 29, 2009, 5:28 pm)
I called up mack Taunton’s name on You Tube, today and was I ever flabbergasted with finding Mack, George Webster, Glen P and George Younce singing away. I met them at Flint Baptist Temple where I rec’d Him into my life, back in 72, or so. I had no idea how important the two of them were, but I knew they had very talented voices. I had no idea they had come off a stint with The Cathedral’s. I wish Mack well, it would be wonderful to see him again and hear his voice in person. I worked with George Webster’s wife, at that time, in the Buick Main Office. My wife and I went over to George W’s home after sunday nite church and did some fellowship singing with george W at the piano. Not may people know that George was missing a finger. Hello Mack, good to see you on YouTube! What a great tenor voice you have been so blessed with!
Everett and Diane Eddy
Lapeer, Mich
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Comment by quartet-man (August 19, 2009, 9:34 pm)
I love this discussion and the info from Mack’s son.
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