MASON PROFFIT

'Mason Proffit' was a folk rock band from Chicago, Illinois that released five albums between 1969 and 1973.

Contents

Musical career

Discography

External links

Musical career

Mason Proffit was formed in 1969 after the disbanding of Chicago garage rock group Sounds Unlimited. Brothers John Michael Talbot and Terry Talbot decided to form a new group that was more of a folk and country band. "Two Hangmen", off of their first album ''Wanted... Mason Proffit'', became a regional hit but was unable to chart nationally. It did, however, help their second album, ''Movin' Toward Happiness'', chart on the Billboard 200. In 1972, the band signed to Warner Bros. Records and were placed on a national tour opening for the Grateful Dead. Warner Bros. released two of their albums, but both sold poorly, prompting the label to drop the band. Mason Proffit disbanded shortly afterward.
After the break-up, the Talbot brothers began to record Christian worship songs, earning themselves a Grammy Award nomination and several Dove Award nominations. The Talbot brothers opened for The Eagles on a national tour.

Discography

★ ''Wanted'', Happy Tiger, 1969.

★ ''Movin' Toward Happiness'', Happy Tiger, 1971. #177 US

★ ''Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream'', Ampex Records, 1971. #186 US

★ ''Rockfish Crossing'', Warner Bros. Records, 1972.

★ ''Bareback Rider'', Warner Bros. Records, 1973. #198 US
My name is Terry Talbot and I was the leader of Mason Proffit. Warners didn't drop the band. The first Talbot Bros album, '73 was scheduled to be a MP release. I met with Joe Smith of Warners and told him the the band was breaking up and that the release should just be a Bros album. He was not happy and suggsted that John and I get "who ever" to fill the other spots and keep the band together. In retrospect, he was right.
Don't know that Terry Talbot would put his two cents in on this. The seminal role Mason Proffit played in the formation of Country Rock is not fully appreciated here. "Two Hangman" and other songs such as "It's Alright" from Wanted had a direct influence on the young men who later became the Eagles- and many others. "Two Hangman" served as the template for "Hotel California", "It's Alright" for "Take It Easy". Just listen. Compare the album covers for "Two Hangman" and the Eagles 'Desparado." I grew up in the midst of John Michael Talbot and Tim Ayers (bassist) attending the same junior high just months before the recording of "Wanted". At the time, absolutely no one had the shameless veracity to blend virtually all forms of traditional American music (Bluegrass, Country Western, Cajun, et al) with Rock and take it to a very appreciative Rock audience. However, that is exactly what Country Music has become. The group quit before the full potential was realized for the simple reason that the then 19-year-old John Michael Talbot could no longer function in the secular world. In fact, he became a Franciscan Monk and has nearly 50 CDs of a devotional nature still in print today. Terry Talbot, the older brother and original front man of Mason Proffit partnered with Folk icon Barry McGuire on four indie CDs covered in a series of free will offering performances in churches during the late 90's. -jack murphy
Wow, I didn't know when I started this Mason Proffit article Terry would contribute either.
I saw Mason Proffit in concert in 2005 in Chicago, and it was amazing. In 2003 Terry Talbot pulled Mason Proffit back together with original members Bruce “Creeper” Kurnow and Tim Ayers. John Michael Talbot is busy with his life and ministry in Arkansas, so legendary guitarist/slide player Al Perkins is his replacement. Even thought John is not touring with Mason Proffit he can be heard on the new Mason Proffit 2005 CD release “STILL HANGEN”.
All of Mason Proffit albums are now available on CD, with the first two (Happy Tiger) albums released on a single CD called Come & Gone (the same as the re-released vinyl version). And then as now, Mason Proffit is still one of the most amazing bands you will ever get a chance to see. Hope they will get together once again and tour - Curt B.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mason_Proffit"

External links

★ http://www.masonproffit.com