Marshall Tucker Band News

Mark Pettey

Mark Pettey played keyboards from 1992 - 1994.

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

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.

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.

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.

Tony Heatherly

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

Gary Guzzardo

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

 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.

Pat Ellwood

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

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.