You can also check out the evolution of Gil's cartoon drawing from inspiration to the final copy - this one a caricature of Clay Cook!  Simply go to: http://www.yourangelsspeak.com/drawing.php.

Great job Gil!

on the radio over two million times and Can't You See, which has aired over one million times.  Only about 1,500 titles have achieved "Million-Air" status (more than 1 million United States radio and television performances). One million performances is the equivalent of approximately 50,000 broadcast hours, or more than 5.7 years of continuous airplay!  Congrats Toy!  Congrats as well to Doug, Jerry, Paul, George and Tommy!  (3/31/03)

MTB Tape Archive For Sale?

Many Tucker fans have asked what's up with the E-Bay auction of a vast majority of their tape archive.  Here's what Jerry Eubanks said on Sevenmoore's web page:

"Ok, here's the story. Those tapes were bought at auction out of a rental storage facility many years ago when a business manager forgot to pay the rent while we were on the road. The guy that owns the tapes owns just that...the tapes. He does NOT own the rights to the music on them. They are worth whatever that much old raw tape would be worth. For 75k you can listen to them...IF you have access to 2" tape machines, but that's all you can legally do with them. Trust me, the legal owners to the rights to that music will take whatever action would be required to prevent the unauthorized use of copyrighted material."

Michael Buffalo Smith Launches Site

 Michael "Buffalo" Smith, author of the book Carolina Dreams, launched his new music site recently.  It offers information on his career and upcoming release, Southern Lights.  An incredible song, Into the Light, is also previewed.  If this is an indication of the caliber of music Michael B's creating these days, I can't wait to give the new disc a spin!  The new CD will feature many guest appearances, including Tommy Crain, former lead guitarist of the Charlie Daniels Band, the legendary Bonnie Bramlett and several members of The Crawlers.  In 2000 he released his critically acclaimed CD Midwest Carolina Blues.  Other titles released by Michael include Happy To Be Here, Fairytales, Well Done and Hoe Cake Hour.  Michael is also responsible for launching the Gritz.net  website, which evolved into the magazine Gritz, which is dedicated to all things southern, especially music!  To hear the new song and learn more click here!

Clay Cook - "One Degree of John Mayer"

To read a great story - One Degree of John Mayer - about Clay's solo performance click here!

Clay Cook To Go Solo

Clay Cook announced on his website that at the end of the year he will be leaving Tucker so that he can dedicate more time to his solo career.  The multi-talented nephew of lead singer Doug Gray will be sorely missed.  His performances are jaw dropping, but we respect his decision to pursue his dream.  Thanks Clay for the memories.  Your tenure in MTB was a special time in the history of the band.  We know great things lie ahead for you.  To read his formal announcement check out his web site at: claycook.com  

MTB Mentioned in SNL Skit

MTB was metnioned in an SNL skit parodying former president Bill Clinton and President Bush (W that is!).  Check the transcript out!  Just click here!   

Highwater Records Can't You See

The Detroit rock band Highwater has recorded Can't You See.  Their version offers a modern take while keeping the soul of the original - it's what Kid Rock might sound like covering this southern rock anthem.  When asked why they chose to cover the MTB classic lead singer Steve Baked said, "we decided to do CYS after getting such a great response when playing it live, not to mention the song has a soul - it's alive.  I only feel that way about the stuff that I write myself, but this song is just as real to me".  When asked how he got turned on to MTB he said, "I had an uncle named Harold - he put me up on the MTB about 10 years ago (before he died). Since then I've been a fan".    A review of the remaining songs; Life.  Lenny Kravits' style vocals and some nice Neil Young (with Crazy Horse) guitar riffs.   Simple Pleaures; Very cool, an urban rock tune,  sort of modern War (Cisco Kid, et al) tune.  Hidden Addiction; brings to mind the Red Hot Chili Peppers.  Tequila Sunrisede Honky Tonk Angels." Starting that year, Billboard named her its top female country vocalist for 14 years in a row. She charted 40 Top 10 records.

All that success came under one label. She started with Decca Records in the late 1940s and stayed with the company, albeit under different corporate names, until leaving MCA in 1974.

That same year year, Capricorn, a major rock label, decided to branch into country music.

"My son-in-law knew the guy who owned Capricorn Records, and he kind of set up the deal with them and my husband for me to go down there and do a session with Capricorn," Wells told The Post in a telephone interview from her home in Madison, Tenn.

"It was (Capricorn's) first adventure, I think, in doing country, so their musicians were different, not really country musicians," Wells said. "But they did a real good job on the songs we did."

They sure did, and it really shouldn't have been a surprise.Early rockers such as Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins came straight out of country music, but by the 1970s little country influence was heard in the music of most rock groups, the Eagles notwithstanding.

However, most of the musicians who backed Wells on "Forever Young" came of age in the culture of the rural and small-town south, where life for decades had been chronicled in country songs.

The music they made with their own bands was among the first to bridge the gorge that had come to separate the two musical camps. But this time the influence began to flow the other way.

The same year Capricorn released Wells' album, the Allman Brothers came out with the LP "Brothers and Sisters." It included the country-tinged "Ramblin' Man," written by guitarist/frontman Dickey Betts.

The Marshall Tucker Band never hid from its country roots, as witnessed by its use of the steel guitar.

Meanwhile, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and others in the outlaw country movement had brought rock's high energy, loud guitars and defiant attitude to main street Nashville.

Wells and country music grew up together and she played a major role transporting traditional or "roots" country from the rural South to countries around the world.

That context makes it understandable that her husband failed to realize what happened those few days Wells spend with the rockers. When the then 55-year-old singer entered the Capricorn studio, she walked into country's future.

Betts - an original member of the Allman Brothers, and now with his own band - played at those sessions. Betts is credited on "Forever Young" with playing Dobro, but Wells said she thinks he also played mandolin.

Toy Caldwell, original lead guitarist and frontman for the Marshall Tucker Band until his death in 1993, played acoustic and electric guitars and contributed a song, "Too Stubborn."

Chuck Leavell - a one-time Allman Brother and long-time studio and tour regular with the Rolling Stones, and who recently toured with Gov't Mule - handled piano duties along with Paul Hornsby, who had been a member of Hourglass, a forerunner of the Allman Brothers.

Hornsby co-produced the album with Johnny Sandlin, another Hourglass member, who went on to produce many hit albums for the Allman Brothers and other acts, such as Elvin Bishop. Sandlin also played acoustic guitar on "Forever Young."

"We had heard them, heard their records, but as far as meeting them and knowing them, we had never met them before," Wells said.

Wright didn't play at the sessions, but was at the studio for the week it took to record the album, Wells said.

"They had the songs down there," Wells said. "We listened to them and picked the ones we thought would be the best, the ones I could do more country because my singing is the same. It is just that the songs are a little different - and the music."

Wells said she always has listened and enjoyed all types of music but admitted she felt a little intimidated at the Capricorn session.

"I didn't know how well I could do it, but I did my best," she said.

She said a couple of the songs can be classified as real country music, including one, "What About You," co-written by her husband and his longtime performing partner, Jack Anglin and Anglin's brother Jim.

Wells, however, offers a different spin on that song. "We took it out of waltz time and put in regular beat time," she said. "Johnny and Jack did it in waltz, the way it was written, but I did it plain."

Wright's musical career - singer, songwriter, guitarist, bass fiddler - reaches back to the mid-1930s. He and Anglin teamed up as the duo Johnnie & Jack in 1940 and stayed together until Anglin died in 1963.

After his partner's death, Wright continued to record as a solo act and also began touring with the Kitty Wells-Johnny Wright Family Show, which only left the road last December. Wright also served as Wells' manager, and it was in that role that he pulled back "Forever Young" in 1974 after it had been in stores only a few weeks.

"It was so far advanced and so different from what I had been doing. A lot of the disc jockeys, I think, thought it too different from what I had been doing. So, we finally decided to just pull the record and forget about it," Wells said.

But the album had one devoted fan, John Sturdivant Jr., who was 11 years old when Wells recorded "Forever Young."

"I heard it when she first did it back in '74. And it was one of my favorite albums of all those she did. She is my grandmother, and I had never, ever heard her sing like that before. You know, more of a bluesy sound," Sturdivant said in an interview from Junction Records in Madison. Sturdivant is co-owner of the record label and the driving force behind the reissue.

"For me it was music that they (other country artists) had been trying to do for years - the country music that is out now. (The album) was like 20 years ahead of its time," he said.

Sturdivant's affection for his grandmother's Capricorn recording never wavered, and over the years he pestered Wright to let him do something with the album.

"Gradually over the years I guess I wore Johnny - "PawPaw' - down to where he agreed to let me put it out. I went in and got all the masters they had and remastered them and put it out," Sturdivant said.

Wells laughs when it is suggested her husband wasn't real anxious to set the album loose again.

"No, he wasn't too anxious," she said. "He is afraid people might not like it. Of course, it is different from what I'd been doing, but a lot of the country artists are doing this type of song now."

Wells said Wright likes the album better than he initially did, and she credited that to her grandson's skill in the studio.

"John took it and really worked on the music, got it sounding a lot better than when we released it," she said.

Wells said regardless of how the CD sells, she and Wright do not plan to return to touring. They retired from the road Dec. 31.

"We've been in the business a long time. I know all the fans hate to see us retire, but they understand that we need to take some time to do what we want to do," she said.

But they spent too many years in the music business to walk away completely, so they appear every now and then in Nashville at the Nightlife Dinner Theater, co-owned by another grandson.

The couple does an occasional show out of town, including one in New York in September. But they plan far fewer than their last year on the road, when they played in 20 states and several Canadian cities.

Wells won't be touring in support of "Forever Young," which hurts its marketing, especially for a small label without the means to publicize it otherwise. So, the CD faces an uphill climb in the market despite Wells' wonderful vocals and the outstanding work turned in by the rockers.

"Forever Young" has arrived in some stores, and it also can be purchased on the Web at www.kitty wells.com or by calling 615-860-8686.

Of course, Wells would enjoy seeing the album hit big, but her wish for it is much more modest.

"I just hope the people who used to buy my records like it," she said.

Join the Club!

The Official MTB fan club is offering special discounts on their Elite memberships.  For full details about all the club memberships check out the MTB Fan Club Elite website!

Mickey Fowler CD Features Toy & Tony!

Greenville's Original Outlaw, Mickey Fowler, recently released a CD that spans much of his career.  Mickey was great friends with Toy Caldwell and the late MTB guitarist is a featured guest on 2 of the CD's songs.  They were recorded around 1980 in Greenville, SC.  

Toy, Mickey and Tony

When Toy was home from the road, he would sit in for the whole night or for partial nights with the band and Mickey often sang a song or two with the TCB.   Mickey told MetroBeat that features a lost Caldwell jewel, a song Toy wrote for "Urban Cowboy". The song, entitled I Have the Blues and Can't You See.  The band played dates in several countries including England, Germany and France.  In addition to cuts from the European tour, unreleased songs from a Milwaukee, Wisconsin show (some of which comprised the live disc from Where We All Belong) will also be included.  

I'm glad that we are finally getting some live cuts from the early part of the original line-up's career.  My hope is that someday we will get a full show from one of their tours in support of a Warner Brothers album.  Those tours featured the best of the Capricorn years as well as songs like Running Like the Wind, Cattle Drive, See You One More Time and Silverado.  Tommy's last show would be the obvious choice, and although King Bisquit recorded it, they later taped over portions of it and now all that remains on master tape are nine songs from that show... but luckily a few lucky fans recorded it live as it was being aired on the radio!  

In the meantime we can all look forward to SRO... It will include some great stuff I've wanted for a long time like Searchin' for a Rainbow; live it is probably my favorite MTB song.  It should also include Doug singing This Ol Cowboy (by the European tour Toy had stopped singing it live).  My only hope is that they also have the insight to include a live version of Blue Ridge Mountain Sky - which Toy sang on A New Life, but Doug sang in concert.  No offense to Toy, it would just be cool to have both versions.  That alone would be worth the price of SRO! (May 17, 2002)

Stu Sings the Blues!

MTB slide guitarist Stuart Swanlund has released a CD with his side band, The Tone Generators.  The band, from Mt. Prospect, Illinois, play blues and southern rock with a little jazz influence thrown in here and there.  The  ten-song CD features mostly original tunes penned by Stuart and his writing partner, Pat Hamann.  My favorite is Burning Daylight - a great jammin' song about the road.  This would make a great live song for any MTB show.  It's one of those songs you just wanna crank up from the opening riffs.  The Generators also cover a song from MTB's first LP, My Jesus Told Me So.  Of all the songs they could have covered, this one is a bit of surprise... but it is STELLAR!  It's over ten minutes in length and the song gave me chills the first time I heard it.  Toy would be proud.  The song is more up-tempo than the original, but the tempo fits the lyrics beautifully.  Lovely keyboards accentuate the melody and Stuart's guitar punctuate the interludes.  A driving backbeat remains steady throughout and solos abound.  Like great classic Tucker, the song takes you to another place and time.  The legacy of Toy is alive and well - thanks, Stu.  This song is worth the price of the CD alone.  Every Tucker fan will love it and it would be the perfect closing song for MTB's new jamming orientated shows.  That's not to say the rest of the CD's songs are clunkers.  Far from it.  Several instrumentals show off the band's versatility.  State Street Shuffle is an Allmanesque romp, Dear Daddy is a blues tune that you just get lost in and Just Between You & Me is a jazzy little number that is groovy as all get out.  Driving All Night and Sugar Sweet are both funky numbers that will have you singing along.  All the songs feature great solos and jammin'...  Seems Stuart learned a thing or two from his predecessors in MTB!  

The band has been playing together since the early 90's and gives Stuart a chance to pay homage to the music that has influenced him.  Their live sets feature anything from classic blues such as The Thrill Is Gone to classic southern rock like Can't You See or Allman Brothers.  

In addition to Stuart, the Tone Generators are Pat Hamann on keyboards, Gary Boldt on bass guitar, and Mike McNicholas on drums.   To purchase their CD visit www.tonegenerators.com. (5/9/02)

New Fan Club Web Site!

Doug's wife, Renee, recently launched a fan club website.  Stop by and visit and get all the information regarding the new fan club!  The site, MTB Fan Club Elite, can be reached by clicking here - or via our links page! (4/29/02)

Rusty Milner Leaves MTB

After nearly 20 years on the road with MTB lead guitarist Rusty Milner has decided to stay home to spend more time with his family.  He joined the band in 1984, stepping in to fill the vacancy that occurred when original member Toy Caldwell left the band - who also wanted to spend more time at home as well.  Rusty was a member of MTB longer than anyone except Doug Gray and Jerry Eubanks.   Rusty has been one of the main songwriters since joining the band and also assisted with producing and engineering the band's albums.  Along with former MTB member Tim Lawter he owns Studio 151 in Spartanburg, SC and will devote his time there.  Rusty was also a gentleman; always gracious with the fans and dedicated to the music.  He was a consistent and driving force in the band - and we will miss him.  Thanks Rusty - and best of luck. (4/16//02)

Doug & Clay Go Acoustic on Rockline!

On Wednesday, February 20th,  Doug and Clay appeared on Rockline, a live radio show broadcast throughout the nation.  From the ROCK 101 studio in Greenville, SC the pair answered questions from fans and played two songs.  Clay played acoustic guitar as the Uncle/Nephew team did a duet of "Asking Too Much of You" and then Clay took the lead and sang a new song he wrote titled "Southern Boys" from MTB's forthcoming album.

New Record Deal! 

New CD Coming Soon!

Ramblin' Records is proud to announce a new partnership with Universal Music & Video.  As a result of this new partnership, the band is in the studio recording new tracks for a CD that will be released in late 2002.  After forays in country, blues and gospel, the band  will return to their southern rock roots on the new release.  The new CD will be distributed by Universal Music & Video.  Universal is also now distributing Running Like the Wind, Tenth, Dedicated, Tuckerized, Just Us, Greetings From South Carolina, Southern Spirit, Still Smokin', Walk Outside the Lines, Face Down in the Blues and Gospel to stores across America.  All of the band's CDs are available via the official MTB website on the merchandise page. (posted 1/02/02)

Walkin' Down the Aisle!

MTB's top dog, Doug Gray, and the Hitman, Chris Hicks, both took the oath of marriage this fall.  The Hitman beat Doug to the punch as his nuptials took place on Sunday, October 21st at the Georgia Hall of Fame in Macon.  The following weekend Doug was wed to his lovely Renee.  The costume wedding was held at their new home in Inman, South Carolina on Saturday October 27th.  Family and friends held their breath in anticipation as to what the couple would be dressed as.... and laughter filled the outdoor tent as the couple walked hand in hand down the aisle as hot dog and bun!

Doug, with his daughter, Mariah, and new bride Renee

Chris Hicks Added as 3rd Guitarist!

Stuart Swanlund with new MTB member Chris Hicks

    Chris Hicks, after having filled in for Stuart for a few weeks, has become a full-time member of the band.   MTB will now brandish three guitars on stage - and let me tell you, the result is awesome!  Rusty, Stuart and Chris are all great guitarists with their own unique style, which adds an incredible dimension to the band.  In addition to playing lead, slide and rhythm guitar, Chris has a voice that absolutely erupts when he sings.  He is often compared to Gregg Allman and with good reason.  He's a great songwriter as well.  Fans who have not heard the new line-up yet will be impressed. (posted 8/13/01)

Tony Heatherly Joins MTB

Tony Heatherly, second from left, and the TCB.

    Former Toy Caldwell Band bassist Tony Heatherly has been named the band's full-time bass player.  Tony was a touring member of the TCB for five years and played on Toy's 1992 solo CD.  He also contributed lead vocals to one track, Texas (On My Mind) - a great song penned by Toy.  Growing up, he was close friends with Toy and Tommy and knew MTB's music well - and you can hear it in his playing.  The Tucker legacy, no doubt, is in good hands. (posted 8/13/01)

Chris Hicks Filling In

    Due to an illness in the family, Stuart Swanlund will be taking a couple of weeks off.  In his absence former MTB member Chris Hicks will fill in.  Stuart will return to the band in early August.  (posted 7/19/01)

New MTB Songbook Offered

    Cherry Lane music recently released "The Best of The Marshall Tucker Band" featuring nine classics transcribed note-for-note.  The songbook also offers pictures, a band history and interviews with Toy Caldwell and George McCorkle.  Songs include: Blue Ridge Mountain Sky, Can't You See, Fire on the Mountain, Heard It In a Love Song, Hillbilly Band, Ramblin', Searchin' For a Rainbow, Take the Highway and 24 Hours at a Time.

    Songbooks can be ordered from or merchandise page, just click here!

New Music From MTB!

The new CD Thunder Road features two songs by MTB. It is sold at NASCAR events by Speedway Records (and will soon be available on the website).  It debuted for sale at the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, North Carolina on Memorial Day weekend.  MTB went into to the studio to record two songs for the record, a remake of Long Hard Ride (which was nominated for a Grammy in 1976) and a new song written by Doug Gray's nephew Clay Cook, who takes on the lead vocal duties.  Doug said "I'm proud we were asked to be a part of this project and I'm proud to be with my old buddies Charlie Daniels, the Kentucky Headhunters and Atlanta Rhythm Section.  After we were asked to contribute to the record I asked Clay to write a song about Dale Earnhardt.   We sat down and talked about racing and Dale - and the result is Drive On.  Clay did a great job and I'm proud of him."  A portion of the proceeds will go to the Speedway Children's Charities.  Tim Wilson and Tralena are also featured performers on the CD.  To order click here!

"Then and Now" DVD 

Coming Soon To Merch Page

    Then and Now was first released by Cabin Fever Music on video in 1993.  It will soon be available on DVD and video and can be purchased at MTB's official merchandise page. When we have an arrival date we'll let you know.

    Rare video clips and never-before-seen footage make Then and Now a true collectible for any MTB fan.  In between, the history of MTB is told by a professional narrator.  Doug and Jerry also share personal memories of Toy and Tommy.  MTB, circa 1993, perform the following classics live:  

Take The Highway
Heard It In A Love Song
This Ol' Cowboy
Searchin' For A Rainbow
Fire On The Mountain

    Then and Now also features the CMT hit videos "Walk Outside the Lines" (co-written by Garth Brooks) and "Driving You Out of My Mind".  Plus the rare videos of "Tan Yard Road" and "Frontline" are also included. One of the highlights is the original line-up performing "Can't You See".   Perhaps the best part of Then and Now is the "Long Hard Ride" film, released in 1976 and shown to movie goers as a movie trailer.  It features the band acting out an Old West drama to the musical score, which was nominated for a Grammy as Best Instrumental. Fans also get a glimpse of Toy's solo video released in 1992. 

    The only drawback to Then and Now is that it leaves true Tuckerheads wanting more.  I would have loved to see Long Hard Ride and Toy's video in their entirety.  More live footage of the original line-up was also needed.  While this whets the appetitive for more, it does pacify the palate...  I can only hope that someday we get the whole MTB story, complete with all the videos (Silverado, etc) and more live performances.  How many Tuckerheads would like to have the complete MTB videography on DVD?  How about a complete live concert from their heyday?????  I know this one would!  

The New Generation Single Reviewed

Tuckerhead Mark Tacchi was recently on a quest to find a copy of The New Generation's 45 rpm record.  The New Generation was a band that Doug Gray and Tommy Caldwell were members of prior to MTB.  Mark found a review of the very rare record at a web site that specializes in garage bands.  It reads:

A few guys who made greater fame in the 70's: Doug Gray and Tommy Caldwell (of the Marshall Tucker Band) recorded at least one 45 with their teen combo from Spartanburg, South Carolina called the New Generation. "Because Of Love (It's All Over)" / "That's The Sun" issued on Sonic 1002 in April, 1968. "Because Of Love..." is a nice mid-tempo ballad, while the flip is a cool 'n' catchy garage mover. "That's The Sun" was obviously recorded much earlier than the release date; the tape used for the master is muddy, and sped up! The group supposedly had an earlier issue on Sonic, but the person who has this 45 hasn't forwarded me the full details to verify.

Waylon Covers "Can't You See"

    Country music legend Waylon Jennings just released a new live CD titled Never Say Die LIVE!  On it he does a cover of "Can't You See", a song he originally recorded on his 1976 studio LP "Are You Ready For the Country."  The reviews have been great.  Rich Kienzle , for amazon.com, said "Don't dare mistake this collection as mere nostalgia. The title says it all. Given the 62-year-old Jennings's well-known health problems in recent years, these powerful, charismatic performances reflect an almost Lazarus-like renewal that begins with the opening number, Tony Joe White's "Closing In on the Fire," and doesn't end until the final notes of "Can't You See."  For more info check out Waylon's website.

McCORKLE RECEIVES GOLD RECORD AWARD

    NASHVILLE- George McCorkle, a founding member of The Marshall Tucker Band, now a singer/songwriter in Nashville, has received a gold record award from the RIAA for his contributions to the country album "Smoke Rings in the Dark," by Gary Allan.  George contributed a song to the album called "Cowboy Blues," along with co-writers Michael Huffman and Mike Geiger. The song was published by October Street in association with McCorkle Music.  The MCA album was produced by Tony Brown and Mark Wright, and was certified gold on that luckiest of days, Friday, October 13th

-Michael B. Smith, GRITZ.NET

Tribute to MTB!

Billy Cage has recorded a Tribute to MTB.  Check it out on MP-3!

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