Album Notes

"Why I'm Here" features four of Mack's originals, one of John Denver's last songs never recorded and Irish and Scottish hymns with the Grammy award-winning Jordanaires. The Jordanaires were Elvis' back up group for many years.


Mack considers his four originals to be the most inspirational work he has done. Just Because was co-written with Tom Paxton. Mack remembers, "I had started this song that I really liked, but it needed something more. Tom and I were at the Country Roads Festival and I played it for him. Shortly after, the song was completed." The song, Listening Ear was co-written with his wife, Lauren and daughter, Caroline, as they were driving to North Carolina to visit Mack's Mom and Dad. "As soon as we pulled up, I sat down and played it for Mom. She really liked it. Five days later, she passed away. I still play that one for her."


Wandering Soul is one of John Denver's last songs, yet it was never recorded. Mack says, "It is a powerful song. We had three of John's band members in the studio, piano/keyboard player, Chris Nole; World finger picking champion guitarist, Pete Huttlinger; and the renowned horn player, Jim Horn. We felt John was there with us."

"One of the sounds I imagined, was having the Jordanaires on 'Be Thou My Vision' and 'Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown.' I could hear the men's voices soaring and would get chills. They started 'Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown' sounding as a bagpipe and then split their parts into unbelievable harmony. They sound like one instrument, not four voices. They were a joy to work with, extremely friendly and professional. I had to ask a few questions about Elvis, and they happily spent some time telling stories." The members of The Jordanaires consist of: longest-time member, first tenor Gordon Stoker; newest member of about three years and second tenor Curtis Young; member since the early 90's, baritone Louis Nunley; and long-time veteran member & bass singer Ray Walker. Gordon and Ray had been with the group through all the Elvis Presley years when they sang backup on most of his albums and appeared in his movies.