The Marshall Tucker Band
12-14-2017
In the fall of 1973, The Marshall Tucker Band was a young and hungry group out to prove themselves every time they hit the stage. “We were a bunch of young guys who didn’t know any boundaries,” says founding member and longtime lead singer Doug Gray. As it turned out, their collective talents took them very far indeed.
Today, the band records on its own Ramblin’ Records Label (distributed by Sony/RED) and continues to release new and previously unreleased material. Still led by founding member and lead singer Doug Gray, they represent a time and place in music that will never be duplicated. Gray is quick to credit the band's current dynamic members with carrying on the timeless essence of The Marshall Tucker Band sound. Current members include the highly respected drummer B.B. Borden, a former member of both Mother's Finest and The Outlaws, multi instrumentalist Marcus Henderson of Macon, Georgia, plays flute, saxophone and keyboards in addition to lead and background vocals, Pat Elwood on bass guitar, and Rick Willis on lead guitar and vocals, both of Spartanburg SC, are disciples of the Caldwell Brothers. Acclaimed lead guitarist and vocalist Chris Hicks recently rejoined the band after a two-year absence. Together they present a powerful stage presence as they continue to be a powerful force in the world of music.
The Marshall Tucker Band got its start in Spartanburg, S.C. when Gray teamed up with Tommy Caldwell and Toy Caldwell, Paul T. Riddle, George McCorkle and Jerry Eubanks, borrowing the name "Marshall Tucker" from a piano tuner whose name was found on a key ring in their old rehearsal space. In 1972, they signed with Capricorn Records, the same label that guided The Allman Brothers Band, Wet Willie, and others to national fame. The MTB opened shows for The Allmans in 1973, and the following year they began to headline their own shows across America due to the platinum-plus sales of their debut album.
In years to come, MTB would wow critics and influence major country acts like Alabama, The Kentucky Headhunters, Confederate Railroad, and Travis Tritt with its definitive blend of rock, rhythm & blues, jazz, country, and gospel. And now, thanks to the expanding scope of today's music, a new generation of fans is learning what the rest of their fans have known for so long - that good music knows no boundaries. Along the way, they have recorded 22 studio albums, three DVDs, three live albums and many compilations. Years of rigorous tour schedules earned the band the respect of critics and countless dedicated fans. With hit singles like "Heard It In a Love Song," "Fire On The Mountain," "Can't You See," and "Take The Highway," MTB earned seven gold and three platinum albums while they were on the Capricorn Records label. CMT (Country Music Television) named the MTB’s “Can’t You See” the #4 Greatest Southern Rock Song. The MTB’s debut album, The Marshall Tucker Band, reigns as Gibson Guitar’s #5 Greatest Southern Rock Album. And UltimateClassicRock.com crowned the MTB's "Can't You See" as the #1 Southern Rock Song.
“The buying public never really cared whether we were country or rock & roll" says Gray. "They called us a Southern rock band, but no matter how old we get, we can still rock your socks off." Gray also notes that people have gotten "married and buried" to classic MTB songs like "Desert Skies" and "Can't You See." After 40 years, The Marshall Tucker Band continues to be played on classic rock and country radio, and they have never stopped touring, performing more than 130 live dates each year.
VIDEO
In the fall of 1973, The Marshall Tucker Band was a young and hungry group out to prove themselves every time they hit the stage. “We were a bunch of young guys who didn’t know any boundaries,” says founding member and longtime lead singer Doug Gray. As it turned out, their collective talents took them very far indeed.
Today, the band records on its own Ramblin’ Records Label (distributed by Sony/RED) and continues to release new and previously unreleased material. Still led by founding member and lead singer Doug Gray, they represent a time and place in music that will never be duplicated. Gray is quick to credit the band's current dynamic members with carrying on the timeless essence of The Marshall Tucker Band sound. Current members include the highly respected drummer B.B. Borden, a former member of both Mother's Finest and The Outlaws, multi instrumentalist Marcus Henderson of Macon, Georgia, plays flute, saxophone and keyboards in addition to lead and background vocals, Pat Elwood on bass guitar, and Rick Willis on lead guitar and vocals, both of Spartanburg SC, are disciples of the Caldwell Brothers. Acclaimed lead guitarist and vocalist Chris Hicks recently rejoined the band after a two-year absence. Together they present a powerful stage presence as they continue to be a powerful force in the world of music.
The Marshall Tucker Band got its start in Spartanburg, S.C. when Gray teamed up with Tommy Caldwell and Toy Caldwell, Paul T. Riddle, George McCorkle and Jerry Eubanks, borrowing the name "Marshall Tucker" from a piano tuner whose name was found on a key ring in their old rehearsal space. In 1972, they signed with Capricorn Records, the same label that guided The Allman Brothers Band, Wet Willie, and others to national fame. The MTB opened shows for The Allmans in 1973, and the following year they began to headline their own shows across America due to the platinum-plus sales of their debut album.
In years to come, MTB would wow critics and influence major country acts like Alabama, The Kentucky Headhunters, Confederate Railroad, and Travis Tritt with its definitive blend of rock, rhythm & blues, jazz, country, and gospel. And now, thanks to the expanding scope of today's music, a new generation of fans is learning what the rest of their fans have known for so long - that good music knows no boundaries. Along the way, they have recorded 22 studio albums, three DVDs, three live albums and many compilations. Years of rigorous tour schedules earned the band the respect of critics and countless dedicated fans. With hit singles like "Heard It In a Love Song," "Fire On The Mountain," "Can't You See," and "Take The Highway," MTB earned seven gold and three platinum albums while they were on the Capricorn Records label. CMT (Country Music Television) named the MTB’s “Can’t You See” the #4 Greatest Southern Rock Song. The MTB’s debut album, The Marshall Tucker Band, reigns as Gibson Guitar’s #5 Greatest Southern Rock Album. And UltimateClassicRock.com crowned the MTB's "Can't You See" as the #1 Southern Rock Song.
“The buying public never really cared whether we were country or rock & roll" says Gray. "They called us a Southern rock band, but no matter how old we get, we can still rock your socks off." Gray also notes that people have gotten "married and buried" to classic MTB songs like "Desert Skies" and "Can't You See." After 40 years, The Marshall Tucker Band continues to be played on classic rock and country radio, and they have never stopped touring, performing more than 130 live dates each year.
VIDEO