In the early fall of 1973, The Marshall Tucker Band was still 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, the collective talents of The Marshall Tucker Band 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 today 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 tour the country and continue to be 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 Allman Brothers 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. They toured constantly playing sheds, stadiums, theaters, fairs, and festivals.
In years to come, The Marshall Tucker Band 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. 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, the band has recorded 22 studio albums, three DVDs, three live albums and many compilations.
In 1980, Tommy Caldwell died as a result of injuries from an auto accident. In 1984, Toy Caldwell, George McCorkle, and Paul Riddle decided to retire. Doug Gray and Jerry Eubanks with the blessings of the other three continued to record and perform as The Marshall Tucker Band. 1n 1993 Toy Caldwell, who wrote the majority of their songs, passed away, as did George McCorkle in 2007. Jerry Eubanks retired in 1996 and Doug Gray continues to lead the current band of fine musicians winning new young fans as well as satisfying the loyal fans of several generations.
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,” The Marshall Tucker Band earned seven gold and three platinum albums while they were on the Capricorn Records label. During the 90’s, the MTB scored four hit singles on Billboard’s country chart and one on Billboard’s gospel chart. Their music has also been featured on the soundtracks of movies such as Smokey and the Bandit, Blow, The Pursuit of D.B. Cooper, Shipwrecked, Crank 2, Don’t Mess with Zohan, Stop Loss, Swing Vote, Taking Chance and many others as well as many TV Shows.
“The buying public never really cared whether we were country or rock & roll” says Gray. “They called us a Southern rock band, but we have always played everything from country, jazz, blues, rock & roll and all things in-between. As we’ve become older,” Gray grins, eyes twinkling, “our Southern heritage seems to come out even more. 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.
More than 40 years after forming, The Marshall Tucker Band continues to tour, performing more than 130 live dates each year.
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. UltimateClassicRock.com crowned the MTB’s “Can’t You See” as the #1 Southern Rock Song and in 2013, GRAMMY Magazine named the group’s logo as one of the most distinctive and iconic brands in music.
Jefferson Starship
Paul Kantner founded Jefferson Airplane in 1965. The Airplane were the biggest rock group in America during the 1960s and the first San Francisco band to sign a major record deal, paving the way for other legends like Grateful Dead and Janis Joplin. They headlined the original Woodstock Festival in 1969 and, like The Beatles with whom they are critically compared, lasted a mere 7 years, though their influence and impact on rock music continues well into the 21st century. In 1974 Mr. Kantner created Jefferson Starship and again enjoyed chart-topping success. Paul and Jefferson Airplane were inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1996, the same year as Pink Floyd.
Jefferson Starship, the name created by Kantner for his 1971 solo debut “Blows Against The Empire” recording, has endured 40 years as one of rock’s most legendary bands. That recording was the first and only to ever be nominated for literary science fiction’s Hugo Award … a stellar achievement.
Co- founder David Freiberg also started the legendary Quicksilver Messenger Service, the Fillmore era San Francisco band who often shared the bill with the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane. David is a world famous singer, producer, composer and multi-instrumentalist. He was also a member of Jefferson Airplane, and co- wrote one of Jefferson Starship’s all-time biggest hits, “Jane” – which he performs.
Donny Baldwin became part of the San Francisco music scene in the early 70s. From 1973 to 1978 Donny was with the Elvin Bishop Band. During this time he toured and recorded six albums, which included the #1 hit single, “Fooled Around and Fell In Love”. Donny was a member of Jefferson Starship from 1981 to 1989 and rejoined in 2008. In January 1994, he joined the Jerry Garcia Band. He has toured, recorded and played with Artists such as Kenny Logins, Pablo Cruise, Chuck Berry, Van Morrison, Ronnie Montrose, Greg Allman, Heart, Lydia Pense & Cold Blood, 38 Special and Eddie Money.
Chris Smith joined Jefferson Starship in 1998, instantly winning the job of keyboardist, having toured with The Supremes and Lou Bega. Chris has gone on to place music in film and television including the #1 rated series “CSI.” In 2000 he assumed the seeming impossible task of playing piano and (synth) bass simultaneously … a feat only duplicated by the legendary Ray Manzarek of the Doors. Chris has been keyboardist longer than any in the band’s fabled history.
Cathy Richardson joined Jefferson Starship in 2008, and anchors the historic ‘role’ made famous by Grace Slick. She is an award winning music artist, graphic artist, and clothing designer. Her professional credits include fronting her own successful rock band, producing and releasing seven albums on various indie record labels. She was nominated for a GRAMMY Award for Art Direction of her band’s 2003 release, “The Road to Bliss,” which also received two DIY Awards (Do It Yourself in Film, Books and Music) for Album Art of the Year and Producer of the Year. Her latest release, “Delusions of Grandeur,” topped the 2007 DIYs when she won both Album and Producer of the Year. She portrayed Janis Joplin in the original Off Broadway cast of the hit show “Love, Janis” and also in Chicago, Sag Harbor, NY, San Francisco, Phoenix and Tucson.
Jude Gold is an acclaimed lead guitarist – joining in 2012 for a 10 country, three- month international tour – replacing longtime lead player Slick Aguilar who recently underwent a liver transplant. Jude also tours with contemporary stars Miguel Migs, Stu Hamm and JGB. He is also a instructor at the acclaimed Musician’s Institute in Los Angeles.
