Past Members

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.

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.

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.

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.

Frank Toler

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

Paul Thompson

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

Tom Robb

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.