Auguster Maul, Sr. was born on February 17, 1932, to Texanna and Leonard Maul, Sr. in Selma, Alabama. He realized his calling when he opened his mouth at the early age of 9 years, and there resounded a beautiful gift of song ministry that only God could have bestowed upon him.

After years of singing praises in the church choir at Sandridge Baptist Church, Selma, AL, Mr. Maul later learned the art of quartet singing—joining his first quartet, The Triple Trumpets, Selma, AL. From there, he later sang with The Golden Gates and The Friendly Four, also of Selma, AL.

In 1950, Mr. Maul relocated to Birmingham, AL. He was employed at US Steel for 42 years and, in 1955, opened a radio and television repair shop, servicing customers for twenty-two years. He joined Macedonia Baptist Church, Bessemer, AL, in 1950, where he was ordained as a Deacon in 1957. He served as Chairman for several years and has sung in the choir for more than 50 years.

He also served as a lifeguard and counselor for the local Boy Scouts, acting as a positive role model for youth. He later joined The Ensley Jubilees Singers of Birmingham, AL. In 1953, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, but this did not deter his calling to sing God’s praises. He was provided the opportunity to continue singing in the Camp Lewis Army Installation Choir while serving his country.

After returning home in 1955, he joined The Four Eagle Gospel Singers, Bessemer, AL, as lead singer. In 1956, he joined The Delta Aires Gospel Singers (also locally known as the Gospel Fire Horses). This was the beginning of a blessed relationship sustained by the Holy Spirit for more than 62 years—Brothers-in-Christ whose shared desire was to sing God’s praises.

In 1958, he married Thelma L. Beard Maul, and to this union, five children were born—a family who would later follow in his footsteps, praising God through song, locally known as the “Maul Singers.”

To inspire and empower communities over the years, Mr. Maul performed on local programs to assist in raising funds for various non-profit organizations. He has always been very active in his communities. He continued to give back to his Selma community, helping to raise funds for the reconstruction and revitalization of Sandridge Baptist Church and Cemetery after a destructive fire.

In the Lowetown community, where he has resided for 46 years, he previously served as Trustee Chairman and has been President since 2007. His concern for the community is evident in his relentless pursuit to fulfill every need. Under his leadership:

• Community fire hydrants were installed
• A garbage pick-up route was established
• The Lowetown Senior Citizen Center and Pavilion were built in 2011 to serve the community

As part of his ongoing community awareness and encouragement, he and The Delta Aires have appeared multiple times on WBRC’s “Good Day Alabama.”

Mr. Maul is also known for his radio broadcasts, which spanned several years. His first broadcast while singing with The Golden Gates in Selma, AL, aired on WHBB and WGWC on Wednesdays and Sundays. In Birmingham, AL, his broadcasts included:

• WEDR (with The Ensley Jubilees)
• WVOK, Bessemer, AL (with The Four Eagles)
• WBCO, WENN, WAGG, WJLD, and WBUL, Birmingham, AL (with The Delta Aires)

Although he no longer has a regular broadcast, his love for God and community continues to drive him to visit various radio stations upon request and on special occasions.

Mr. Maul’s passion and dedication to preserving gospel quartet singing have given him the privilege to work with exceptional artists, including:

• Doug Seroff, internationally known music historian
• George W. Stewart, writer and promoter of the arts
• Bob Friedman, Director of the Birmingham Black Radio Museum

He was instrumental in the collaboration of the “Wade in the Water: African American Sacred Song and Worship Traditions Project” for the Smithsonian Institute and National Public Radio, which was nationally distributed in 1993.

During his time with The Delta Aires, Mr. Maul recorded songs such as:

• “We Are the Delta Aires”
• “Mother”
• “Walk On Out in Jesus’ Name”

These were among many recordings on their last CD, “The Best of the Delta Aires,” released in 2004. The Delta Aires celebrated their last anniversary in November 2018, marking 70 years of singing God’s praises. Mr. Maul is now the last surviving member of The Delta Aires Gospel Singers.

At the blessed age of 93, Mr. Maul continues to “push toward the mark!” God has given him the strength to serve his community in every way possible. He continues to share his encouraging words with everyone he meets:

“The only time you should look down on a man is to pick him up!”

And maybe, if you are at a gospel gathering, you just might still hear that melodic tenor voice reverberating through the audience—lifting praises to the heavens!