Articles by Ron

Tommy Caldwell

Tommy Caldwell was the band's bassist and front man from 1973 until the time of his death (from injuries sustained in a jeep accident) in 1980. He also sang background vocals and wrote several songs, including Melody Ann, which was the only song he ever performed lead vocals on. Tommy was the leader and visionary of the group. He was an inspiration to many and friend to everyone.

You can find out what gear Tommy used here!

Toy Caldwell

It was from the heart and soul of Toy Caldwell that the majority of Marshall Tucker's music originated. His lyrics and music have touched many. For alot of us it has touched us in a way no other music has, before or since. His thumb playing style created its own unique tone. He was the band's lead guitarist and primary songwriter from 1973 - 1983. He also played steel and acoustic guitar. He sang lead on several songs, including "Can't You See," "This Ol Cowboy," and "Blue Ridge Mountain Sky." After leaving MTB he formed the Toy Caldwell Band and in 1992 released a self-titled CD, his only solo album. It was re-released as Son of the South by his friend Charlie Daniels in 2000 (on Charlie's label, Blue Hat Records). Sadly, Toy passed away due to heart disease in 1993.

You can find out what gear Toy used here!

George McCorkle

George McCorkle, original member and rhythm guitarist of the Marshall Tucker Band from 1973 - 1983. While a member of the band, he wrote their first top 40 hit, "Fire On the Mountain" and wrote or co-wrote many others including "Silverdado," "Dreamlover," "Everybody Needs Somebody," "Foolish Dreaming," "I Should Never Have Started Loving You," "Last of The Singing Cowboys" and "Life In A Song" among many others. George retired from the band in 1984 and eventually moved to Nashville to become a full time song writer. In the past few years he played in a band called The Renegades of Southern Rock.

George made a guest appearance with the Marshall Tucker Band in front of more than 17,000 fans on August 12, 2006 at the Starwood Amphitheater in Nashville. Our heart felt best wishes and prayers go out to his wife Vivian and son Justin. George was loved and respected and will be missed by all who knew him.

RIDE IN PEACE GEORGE

http://www.georgemccorkle.com/

Read an interview with George here.

You can find out what gear George used here!

Paul Riddle

Drummer Paul Riddle was with the band from 1973 - 1983. He was heavily influenced by Buddy Rich and his jazz styling were unique to a rock and roll band and heavily contributed to their unique style of music. He still lives in Spartanburg where he owns a drum stick company, The Carolina Stick Company, and teaches lessons. He occasionally sits in with the Allman Brothers Band and plays in a local band called Throbber.

You can find out what gear Paul used here!

Jerry Eubanks

Jerry Eubanks, a sax player by trade, was asked by Toy Caldwell if he knew how to play flute... and although he didn't, that didn't stop him from answering Toy's question with a resounding "hell yeah!" He set out to learn real quick, and thus the addition of the instrument that made MTB's sound unique from all other southern rock bands was made. Jerry was a mainstay in the band from 1973 - 1996. His flute and sax solos were, along with Toy's guitar licks, the signature of the band. After 25 years of life on the road, he enjoy a life of leisure in Spartanburg with his wife and children, and plays in a band called the Lipnikkies.

Read an interview with Jerry Eubanks

Visit his website here!

Doug Gray

Doug Gray began singing at the age of about 4 or 5 at an American Graffiti style diner. He hasn't stopped singing since. Tommy was the band's original front man, bantering with the crowd and introducing songs. Doug never said too much... but time changes everyone! After Tommy passed away there obviously was a big void in the band. Though Franklin Wilkie was hired to replace Tommy on bass, the band still need someone to step into his on-stage roll. Doug did so, though somewhat reluctantly. It's a role he obviously relishes today. After almost 30 years on the road and over 5,000 shows, you can still see the love he has for doing what he does.

Ace Allen

Ace Allen, who had played in White Wind with Stuart and Tim Lawter, joined the band in 1985 and would remain until 1992. Today he sells insurance in Spartanburg and has played with the Southern Rock All-Stars.

B.B. Borden

B.B. Borden, founding member of the 1970's progressive rock band Mother's Finest, joined MTB with the departure of Gary Guzzardo, having just gotten through playing several years with the Outlaws and before that, Molly Hatchet. His unrelentless rock and roll playing style has energized the band and his drum solos amaze crowds. A southern boy from Atlanta, he has been a great addition to MTB.

Read Interview with B.B. Borden

Don Cameron

Don Cameron played keyboards in MTB between 1989 - 1992. Anyone who saw the band perform during that time experienced his powerful vocals on songs like "Take the Highway" and "Another Cruel Love." During his stint he also contributed as a songwriter with songs such as "County Road" and "And the Hills," which the band shot a video of for the Playboy channel... with the assistance of Playboy bunnies.

Clay Cook

Doug's 22 year old nephew Clay Cook replaces David Muse on sax, flute and keyboards. Clay Cook joined the Marshall Tucker Band in January of 2000 and was met with resounding acclaim from audiences across the country. He's worked cohesively with his band mates to continue the spirit upon which MTB has thrived for over 30 years. Lending youthful ingenuity, charisma and vocals that rival some of the best in Rock today, Clay has proven himself a legend in the making. After two years of studying Music Theory at Boston's Berklee College of Music, Clay returned to his hometown, Atlanta, GA with friend John Mayer. The two created a striking songwriting pair, co-writing such hits as "No Such Thing" now featured on Mayer's release "Room For Squares" (Columbia). They received local notoriety, playing venues throughout Georgia before going separate ways. In the summer of 1999 Clay moved to Huntington Beach, California on a musical sabbatical before joining MTB. With twenty years of music studies and experience under his belt, beginning with piano at age four, Clay continues to expand and perfect his mastery of instruments such as sax, flute, keyboards, guitar, slide guitar and drums.

Pat Ellwood

Pat Ellwood replaced Tony Heatherly (on bass) in 2004.

 Ronnie Godfrey

Ronnie Godfrey, who appeared as a guest musician on Tuckerized, became a member of the band shortly thereafter and remained thru 1984's Greetings from South Carolina. Prior to MTB, he played with Franklin in Lovejoy and later with Toy's bassist Tony Heatherly in a band called Carolina. After that band's break-up Ronnie and Franklin formed Garfeel Ruff with Ronnie's brother, Rick. The band recorded 2 albums; their self-titled debut in '78 and Born To Play, though it wasn't released until 1985. They also had a song on the soundtrack of "The Hitter", a B-film starring Ron "Superfly" O'Neal. Ronnie also played with Toy in the mid-80's and cut some tracks with him. Besides being a great piano and keyboard player he is a very powerful and soulful singer. He now resides in Nashville.

Gary Guzzardo

Garry Guzzardo replaced Frank Toler in 1993 and stayed with the band until 1996.

Tony Heatherly

Tony Heatherly (bass) is one of the latest additions to MTB.

Chris Hicks

Chris Hicks played lead and slide guitar in 1996 and 1997. By that time he had become well acquainted with MTB's music: his band, Loose Change, often opened for Toy in the early 90's. A few years later, after he joined the Outlaws, Hughie and company would serve as Toy's back-up band when Toy joined them for an East Coast Tour. He has since gone solo and released a CD titled Funky Broadway.

Tim Lawter

Since 1987 Tim Lawter has been providing the bottom for MTB. His bass solos are a fan favorite on "24 Hours at a Time." While he replicates the notes made famous originally by Tommy, he has added a little funk of his own. Along with Rusty he is the band's major songwriter, contributing "Mean Miss Sweetie" on Face Down in the Blues, the poignant "Daddy's Eyes" on Walk Outside the Lines (along with "She's Waiting"), the fan favorite "Stay in the Country" and "Driving You Out of My Mind," among others. He helped arrange the songs on Gospel and has assisted in engineering the band's CDs. He also sang Rusty's Beauty of Life on the Gospel CD. Prior to MTB he played with Stuart in White Wind.

David Muse

After Jerry's departure in 1996 David Muse stepped in and filled some mighty big shoes. His showmanship brought a new dimension to the band and he was well received by longtime Tucker fans. He was a founding member of Firefall and remained with them throughout their heyday in the mid 70's and into the early 80's. In January of 2000 he left MTB for the reunion of Firefall. David Muse returned to the MTB lineup in 2003, covering the flute, sax and keyboard chores for the band.

Rusty Milner

Rusty Milner has been with MTB since 1984. Previously he was with the Artimus Pyle Band. It was while recording tracks for that band's LP at Creative Arts Studio (owned by Doug, Jerry and George) that he got Doug's attention. Soon thereafter Rusty played on a few tracks Doug was laying down and they struck up a friendship. After Toy decided to call it quits and stay at home Doug knew just who he wanted to fill Toy's boots and Rusty got the call. Rusty has now been a member of MTB longer than anyone except Doug and Jerry. He's also written many of the band's songs since he's joined MTB including "Destruction," "Tan Yard Road" (with Jerry), "I'll Be Alright Without You," "The First to Say Goodbye," "Lost in Time" (with Doug), "Face the Music" (with Doug), "I Like Good Music" (with Doug and Tim), "Ain't Nobody's Fool" (with Doug), "Southern Belle" (with Doug and Tim) and "Beauty of Life." He's also helped produce and engineer the band's CDs.

Read Interview with Rusty Miller

Mark Pettey

Mark Pettey played keyboards from 1992 - 1994.

Ronald Radford

Ronald Radford, a Spartanburg boy, played with the band from 1993 - 95. Previously, he toured several years with Randy Travis among others and was voted touring Guitar Player of the Year for two years by the Academy of Country Music. In addition to guitar he played keyboards in MTB and learned steel guitar specifically for the band.

Tom Robb

Tom Robb replaced Bob Wray on bass in 1985 and stayed until 1987.

Paul Thompson

Keyboardist Paul Thompson played keyboards in 1994. Sadly he was killed in an auto accident in 1999.

Frank Toler

Frank Toler was MTB's drummer from 1992 - 1994.

Franklin Wilkie

Franklin Wilkie was hired to replace Tommy on bass after Tommy's passing in 1980. His association with the members of MTB went back a long way. Prior to joining MTB he had played in the Toy Factory and The Rants, bands that were comprised of various members of the future MTB. He also played in a band called The Puzzle, which Toy would jam with occasionally. Franklin remained with the band until 1984.

In 1959 Speedway Records was founded by Ned Jarrett.  The labels first single was Go or Blow by the Revs.  "Thunder Road" marks the label's first release in the new millennium and they've recruited two of the biggest living legends of southern rock, the CDB and MTB, to kick it off.  It debuted Memorial Day Weekend at the Cola-Cola 600 in Charlotte, NC.  

Charlie and his band earned the pole position and put the pedal to the metal from the get-go.  Thundering guitars and pounding drums jump-start High Speed Heroes, a tribute to the family, friends and fans of Dale Earnhardt, as well as the man himself.  The song is vintage Charlie and would be a stellar cut on any CDB release.  The cut gives listeners a history lesson about Dale's roots and his emergence as a racing legend.  I think the measure of a good song is by how loud you turn it up after the first few notes... about two seconds into the song I cranked my CD player up as loud as it could go - and it was so good I played it again right away!  I swear I could feel the race cars shaking my bones to the core.

The CDB's second contribution is an homage to moonshine runners and their supped-up cars.  It's a fast country shuffle that will have your toes tapping and your hands slapping the the dash board... and thirsting for some good ol' moonshine!

   Tralena, a singer-songwriter who hails from Richmond, VA, is featured on the next two tracks.  Both are slow country numbers which highlight her earthy vocals, which remind me of a cross between Lacy J. Dalton and Jane Fricke.  The Last Red Dirt Racer is another great tribute to "Ralph Earnhardt's son".  For people that may not know much about Dale, this provides more background about his humble beginnings.  Drivin' By a Dream was co-written by NASCAR legend Humpy Wheeler and provides the listener a glimpse inside the mind and heart of the men and women who give their lives for something that others don't quite understand.  Racing fans will appreciate both these classic songs.

    The next two tunes are live performances delivered by the Atlanta Rhythm Section.  They're a reminder of the feel good music the band delivered so consistently in the 70's - and evidence that the boys from Doraville still haven't lost any of their prowess today (and for anyone who hasn't heard their 1999 release "Eufaula" you're missing out!).  Champagne Jam has been re-worked as NASCAR Jam and Large Time is dedicated to "all those drivers that risk their lives to entertain us every weekend and all the fans that come to cheer them on to victory."  Both are vintage ARS.

    Tim Wilson delivers two funny tunes titled Bondo Jones, an ode to a destruction Derby legend, and Dale Darryl Waltrip Richard Petty Rusty Awesome Bill Irvan Gordon Earnhardt Smith Johnson, Jr.  The man is a singing version of Jeff Foxworthy.  He's recorded five CDs - but this was the first time I'd heard him.  Why he's not as popular as other comedians is a shame.  Hopefully this will provide him with the exposure he deserves.  He's a great talent.

    The good time country-rockers Kentucky Headhunters offer Chopped & Cherried Out and Get To Heaven.  I don't think it's possible for these guys to not deliver a good tune - and a good time.  Slide guitar and a rock and roll back-beat set the tempo for Cherried Out while Bill Haley/Chuck Berry riffs are the highlight of the optimistic message of Heaven.

    The CD closes out with something old and something new from the Marshall Tucker Band.  Long Hard Ride, the 1976 Grammy nominated  instrumental, has been re-recorded for "Thunder Road".  They stay true to the original version - and that's good news for two reasons.  First, it was a great song to begin with.  Second, it shows that while lead singer Doug Gray is the only original founding member, the rest of the band delivers vintage MTB music in the fashion that fans would expect.  

    The last song on the disc is sung by the newest member of MTB, Doug's twenty-three year old nephew Clay Cook.  For fans who have heard him sing Take the Highway and Ramblin' in concert, you will hear a different side to Clay.  Drive On is sung in a totally different key and it's hard to believe the man that sings these subdued, poignant notes can also deliver the high-octane vocals for the previously mentioned Tucker classics.  Rusty Milner's soaring guitar accentuates the bitter-sweet lyrics, the CDs final tribute to Dale Earnhardt.  It  would make a great single and I know that fans of Dale are sure to hold it dear to their hearts.

   Thunder Road should please racing fans all across the country.  It's the perfect soundtrack for a day at the speedway.  The artists capture all the things that make the sport great, while at the same time remembering a fallen hero.  Anyone who loves racing or loved Dale Earnhardt are sure to be touched.

                                                                                        - Craig Cumberland

Hotels, Motels and Road Shows
An Interview with Stuart Swanlund
by Michael B. Smith

Born an "air force brat" in Puerto Rico on April 3, 1958,  Stuart Swanlund used to sit on his grandmother's porch and listen to his neighbor, Doug Gray, rehearsing with a rock and roll band across the street. He was only five years old, and had no way of knowing he’d one day play alongside Gray.

Back in 1982 when I first met and became friends with Stuart, I could tell that he was no ordinary guitar player. No, this guy really had something special. He played with his own style, and it was almost impossible to compare him to any other individual player.

Later that same decade, when he was asked to join the Marshall Tucker Band, I was probably as excited as Stuart. Maybe I was just proud of him. I could think of no other player who deserved the opportunity more. Although he dropped out of the lineup a couple of times for different reasons, he has remained an enduring influence on the sound of the “new” Marshall Tucker Band. His slide, lead and rhythm guitar work is unique and energetic. His vocals on songs like “Why Can’t You Love Me” (a Stuart original on the “Southern Spirit” CD) and “Hillbilly Band” are great.

Just before the band’s recent gig in Hickory, N.C., I invited Stuart up to my room. While he enjoyed a Subway sandwich, I asked a few questions about his MTB career.

MBS: A lot of people have wondered how you are doing following the hand surgery last year.

SS: Good. It was about a four hour surgery. They had to do a skin graft. It’s pretty ugly, as you can see. They had to cut all of this stuff out. This finger had been bent down for so long, that this joint was frozen. He had to cut up in there into the joint. It still gets a little stiff. But I can play stuff now that I haven’t been able to play in years. And I can play it the way I want to. It’s doing real good. It’ll never be a hundred percent, but it’s great.

MBS: What caused that to begin with?

SS: It’s called Dupitrin’s Contracture. It’s a bunch of scar tissue that starts building up in your hands and fingers and starts pulling your fingers down. It’s an inherited disease, and I just happened to get it. Only people with ancestors from Northern Europe get this disease. You know, my dad was Swedish-Norwegian, so that’s probably where I got it. Nobody in his family had it that I know of.

MBS: When did you join the band?

SS: I was asked to join in 1985 and played for eight years. I left in October, 1993 the first time. I just wanted to stay at home and play around Chicagoland and all that good stuff. The second time I was out because of the hand.

MBS: What has been the high point of your time with Tucker?

SS: I really enjoyed that tour with Hank Williams, Jr. The “Southern Thunder Tour” in ‘96 withe Charlie Daniels and everybody. That was probably the most fun year I’ve had with the band. He only did like 50 shows a year, but we were on most of them. It was a big production. That was probably one of the high points I guess. Another high point was when we sang the National Anthem at Wrigley Field before a Cubs game. That was in 1993.

MBS: What’s the most rewarding thing about playing on the road?

SS: I think when the fans enjoy it and like it, that’s rewarding.

MBS: What’s the hardest part?

SS: The traveling. It can wear you down a lot.

MBS: I know that there have been some wild times with The MTB. Would you say that you are as wild on the road as you ever were? Or have you calmed down as you’ve gotten older?

SS: Oh, I’ve calmed down a whole lot. It’s age mostly. I can’t party like that anymore. I don’t drink at all anymore. I used to have two or three beers before we even started. Now, I’m just not into it.

MBS: What about drugs?

SS: Nah. No thank you.

MBS: So you live in Chicago these days. How do you like it?

SS: I love it. Lots of beautiful women there. My old lady won’t care if I say that. She catches me looking all the time. And the food is incredible. So many different things. And the ball park is there. I love Wrigley Field. It’s just like going back in time. But I remember one year, we were so busy that I only got to go to one game the whole season. Last year I got to go about 20 times. And there are a lot of good musicians there. Lots of cool blues club. It’s a happening city, and a pretty clean city to be that big, you know?

MBS: What are some of your other favorite cities to play and visit?

SS: I kind of like it out west. It’s like a whole different world out there. It’s a lot of fun.

MBS: Tell me about your fellow band mates.

SS: Doug is a lot of fun. Real funny. Rusty and Tim I’ve known forever. Tim and I have been in other bands together. Rusty’s a great player.

MBS: What about B.B.?

SS: Of course, he played for Mother’s Finest, and that was one of my favorite bands.

MBS: Wasn’t that a great band?

SS: Great. He’s a nice guy. A good, solid drummer. Real funny too.

MBS: David Muse?

SS: He’s a good guy. He’s a helluva player too.

MBS: What kind of guitar do you play these days?

SS: Fender. Only Fender. I got a Strat and a Telly. Ernie Ball strings. I just picked up a cheaper Telecaster. It’s called a Nashville Telly. Instead of having two pickups it has three. It has a Strat pickup in the middle. It’s nice. It got a lot of good reviews.

MBS: Have you seen the reissued Danelectro guitars?

SS: I love those things. They’re not real expensive either. I’d like to have one just to have. They’re identical to the original ‘58 model. The guy at the Guitar Center said they play better than the original. Those things are so cool.

MBS: Have you ever played onstage with anyone that was a real thrill for you to play with- I mean, besides Doug?

SS: (Laughs) We played one time at Lakewood Amphitheater, and Steve Morse (The Dixie Dreggs) came out and jammed on “Can’t You See” and just smoked it. That was cool. A lot of fun. I haven’t had a chance to jam with a lot of people.

MBS: Well, you’ll get to jam with me one day-

SS: (Laughs) When I get to jam with Michael B. Smith, that’ll be saying something!

MBS: What was your favorite Tucker album that you played on?

SS: “Southern Spirit.”It didn’t sound as good as the two after that, but I liked the songs on it. It’s probably my favorite one.

MBS: What about the original band?

SS: The very first one. I love that. I have the CD at home.

MBS: You know, the most successful touring bands these days allow taping at their shows. Allmans, Widespread Panic, Gov’t Mule, Little Feat, and Blues Traveler. And the people trade the tapes.

SS: I’ve got a 1975 board tape of Little Feat. They did a lot of stuff that was on that “Waiting for Columbus,” but it was totally different. It was great.

MBS: Do you think the MTB will ever allow taping at shows?

SS: I don’t know. Of course, that would be Doug’s decision.

MBS: Who would you say are your guitar influences?

SS: My biggest was Lowell George. Duane Allman too. He was incredible. And Bonnie Raitt, she’s a good slide player. She plays with a lot of feeling. That’s the way Lowell played too, with a lot of heart. He didn’t play it like everybody else. A totally different style.

MBS: Do you think there’s a chance for a second coming of Marshall Tucker? I mean, I know they’ve never gone away, but I’m talking about big hit records, stuff like that.

SS: I don’t know, but it sure would be nice.

MBS: If there was a big Southern Rock tour put together, who would you like to play with?

SS: The Allman Brothers. I love that band. And Gregg’s band. Gregg sold out two shows at The House of Blues. Jimmy Hall was playing with them too.

MBS: Do you like the current Skynyrd Band?

SS: Yeah. Hughie Thomasson, Ricky Medlock and those. But my favorite player with Skynyrd was Ed King. Great tone.

MBS: Did you play on the new album?

SS: I played on two cuts. I played those before my surgery. So it’s been a while. It’s really a good album. If it’s promoted good it should do real good.

Michael would like to thank Stuart for a fun interview. It was good seein’ you again, buddy. Keep on playin’ that hot slide.

Copyright Michael B. Smith - used with permission.

Stuart Swanlund

Read interviews with Stuart here and here. And don't miss Stuart's other band, Chicago-based "The Tone Generator's" new album  Burning Daylight.

Marcus James Henderson

Marcus James Henderson grew up in Brevard, NC. His first gig was at 15 in Greenville, SC, playing at Vince Perone’s Forum with the Frankie Lester Big Band. From there he played with everyone from Steve Alan to Ringling Brothers, although his favorite assignments have always been original acts. The most frequent band he’s been in (11 years now) is King Johnson from Atlanta GA. He started with MTB playing sessions at Muscadine Studio for Paul Hornsby, when he got the call to play on Chris Hicks’ “Dog Eat Dog World,” and the rest is history! With MTB, he covers flute, sax, keys, and some vocals. He currently lives in Macon, GA with his wife and son.

Rick Willis

Born, raised, and musically nurtured in good ol’ Spartanburg, South Carolina, Rick Willis was inspired by artists ranging from Otis Redding and Sam & Dave to Van Morrison and Eric Clapton. Rick’s been a part of the MTB family lineage for a long, long time: his childhood home was just a few doors down from the household that founding MTB drummer Paul Riddle grew up in. One of his earliest gigs was playing in the Roosters with his friend and future MTB bassist, Franklin Wilkie. After some time living in Charlotte, North Carolina in the middle of the 1980’s, he returned home and promptly hooked back up with Wilkie and Riddle in their band the Throbbers, a jazz-fusion outlet that the Tucker rhythm section enjoyed during their down time. He later played with the Stinson Brothers, and every so often sat in with his friends Tony Heatherly, “Pic” Pickens, Mark Burrel, and Toy Caldwell in the Toy Caldwell Band. When Toy passed on in 1992, Rick stood in for him, singing and playing those illustrious tunes with Toy’s band at a slate of tribute concerts. With his stellar reputation fully intact, Rick would play onstage with the Marshall Tucker Band now and again, though he didn’t tour back then to spend time with his family. Currently, when he’s not crisscrossing America with the Marshall Tucker Band, Rick leads Jackson Crossing, an uplifting, heated ensemble that carries on his alliance with SevenMoore bassist Tim Clement, and reunites him guitarist Rusty Barkley and keys man Jimmy “Grub” Thornburg from his Charlotte days, as well as drummer Scott Stinson from the Stinson Brothers.