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.
Comment by abk (August 7, 2008, 9:40 am)
Mack Taunton is my favorite Cathedral tenor hands-down.
Comment by natesings (August 7, 2008, 5:17 pm)
He was great on the Cathedral Reunion video.
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!
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?
Comment by Daniel J. Mount (August 8, 2008, 6:57 am)
Yes.
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
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.)
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
Comment by Quaid (August 11, 2008, 7:42 pm)
That’s interesting. Steven, thanks for sharing. I’ve often wondered about that.
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”.
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.
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…
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.
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
Comment by Steven Taunton (October 4, 2008, 10:52 am)
Uncle Don… is that you?