Southern rock since day one...Marshall Tucker Band

The Marshall Tucker Band is an American Southern rock band originally from Spartanburg, South Carolina. The band formed in 1972 with founding members Doug Gray (vocalist), George McCorkle (rhythm guitarist ), Paul Riddle (drummer), Jerry Eubanks (flutist), and brothers Toy (lead guitar) and Tommy Caldwell (bassist and front man). They soon signed with Capricorn Records and by 1973, had released their first EP, The Marshall Tucker Band. Compared to Southern rock pioneers and label-mates The Allman Brothers Band, The Marshall Tucker Band had more of a country and western feel, with the flute being a key lead instrument in their sound with a lot of its parts in the higher fife/piccolo register. "Can't You See", "Fire on the Mountain", and "This Ol' Cowboy" are among their songs that received appreciable FM radio airplay, while "Heard It in a Love Song" made it to #14 as a single on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1977. Since its inception, the Marshall Tucker Band has suffered three great losses: Original frontman and bassist, Tommy Caldwell died from injuries in a jeep crash on April 28, 1980. As well as being the front man who worked the crowd, he also sang background vocals and wrote several songs, including "Melody Ann," which was the only song he ever performed lead vocals on. His brother, guitarist Toy Caldwell, like Doug Gray also a Vietnam veteran, died of heart disease on February 25, 1993. He was the band's lead guitarist and primary songwriter from 1973 - 1983. He also played steel and acoustic guitar. He used his thumb to pick the strings instead of his other fingers or a pick. He sang lead on several songs, including "Can't You See," "This Ol Cowboy," and "Blue Ridge Mountain Sky." After leaving Marshall Tucker Band, he formed the Toy Caldwell Band and in 1992 released Toy Caldwell Band, his only solo album. Founding member, guitarist George McCorkle, died of cancer on June 29, 2007 in Lebanon, Tennessee. He was the band's rhythm guitarist from 1973 - 1983. He also wrote many of the band's songs including "Fire on the Mountain," "Silverado," "Last of the Singing Cowboys," and "Holdin' On To You." In 1999 he released his first solo CD, American Street. Despite these losses, the Marshall Tucker Band still plays up to 150 shows in a year, and are set to release their new album in June of 2007 entitled "The Next Adventure" on Ramblin Records. Lead singer Doug Gray is the only original member in the current (2007) lineup.