Paramount Four
A vocal group from Gallatin, started by friends from Union High School.
History[edit | edit source]
Formed in the late 1950s by high school friends in Gallatin, they performed with a backing band called The Fabulous Dukes, and often opening for Hal and Jean (played by Harold and Jean Gilbert, who owned the Southern City record label, based out Gallatin). When several members were drafted a new line-up continued to perform and eventually recorded a single in 1967, released the following year. On at least one occasion they played with the Counts of Nowhere at the No-Where Club in Hendersonville
Lead singer, Cat Turner had a car accident after the recording and left the group to become a well-loved postal carrier. The group continued to perform with Caldwell Jenkins as the lead, recording several tracks in 1970 that were not released until the 21st century by European re-issue labels.
Until his death, Cat Turner continued to perform as part of Bill Turner and the Marksmen. Caldwell Jenkins continued to perform with Cat's younger brothers in a gospel group, called the Turner Brothers, according to historian E. Mark Windle.
Members[edit | edit source]
William Earl "Cat" Turner - lead vocals. (b.1943, d. 2012)
Caldwell Jenkins - baritone (b.1943)
Sonny Brown - bass. drafted before recording.
Robert Lee Alexander - tenor/lead. drafted before recording.
James Wallace SImpson - tenor
William Ellis Johnson - bass
Releases[edit | edit source]
1967/8: I’ve made up my mind / You don’t know ~ SOUTHERN CITY 1114/5
UNISSUED (early 70s?): "Sorry ain’t the word" / "You must leave her because you love her."
“You Must Leave Her” is available on the Kent UK CD “Deep Shadows” while “Sorry Ain’t The Word” is only available on a rare custom 45.
External references[edit | edit source]
http://www.sirshambling.com/artists_2012/P/paramount_four/index.php
E. Mark Windle. "House of Broken Hearts." 2017.
https://www.discogs.com/artist/2074620-The-Paramount-Four