MASON-DIXON BAND
South Alabama
The Mason-Dixon Band was formed in July 1973 from the ashes of Whitewater, a short-lived, south Alabama hard rock group that had prided itself on doing only material that challenged them. The remaining members of Whitewater (Paul Jones - keyboards, vocals; Greg Creech - drums; Ed Cain - bass guitar) added James Brown (guitar, flute, vocals), Louis Crawford (harmonica, percussion, various horns, vocals) and Bruce Daily (guitar, vocals). The group continued to do many of the old Whitewater covers (The Allman Brothers Band, Joe Cocker, Steely Dan, etc.) but went even less “commercial” by adding songs to their list from groups such as Wet Willie, The Marshall Tucker Band, The Edgar Winter Band, Joe Walsh, The J. Geils Band, ZZ Top, The Steve Miller Band, etc. Discontent among members however caused personnel changes in 1974 with Greg Creech leaving the group and Bruce Daily following soon after. Jerry Stinson (guitar, slide guitar, vocals and who had previously been with Whitewater) returned to playing music by re-joining the band. Bill Chatney was added as the new drummer. The last line-up of the Mason-Dixon Band was Jerry Stinson (guitar, slide guitar, vocals), Paul Jones (keyboards, vocals), Ed Cain (bass guitar), James Brown (guitar, flute, vocals), Louis Crawford (harmonica, percussion, various horns, vocals), and Bill Chatney (drums). This edition of the M-D Band cut some tracks but nothing was ever pursued. As of 2015, Bruce Daily and Louis Crawford are deceased.
(info and pics courtesy Greg Creech)