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The Players
We often hear from fans wanting to know when
a particular member was in the band or if this person or that person ever played
in MTB... so to answer that question definitively (we think) here are the people
who have been members of MTB!
1973 - 1980: The Original Line-up
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.
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.
George
McCorkle was MTB's rhythm guitarist from 1973 - 1983. He also wrote
many great songs including Fire on the Mountain, Silverado, Last of the Singing
Cowboys, Holdin' On To You, and several others. In 1999 he released his
first solo CD, American
Street. Today he resides in the Nashville area and is a
songwriter. His songs have landed on several of country's top
artists. One of the most recent is Cowboy Blues on Gary Allen's platinum
Smoke Rings in the Dark. For the latest news on George visit his website.
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.
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. He also plays in a
band called the Lipnikkies. And
he's even got his own website!
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.
1980 - 1984
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.
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.
1984
In 1984 Doug and Jerry hit the road with a group of Nashville
studio musicians and young Spartanburg guitarist named Rusty Milner. Bob
Wray (bass, standing far left), James Stroud and Kenny Mimms (standing, center)
were in the band for one tour. Bobby Ogdin (standing, far left) would
remain for about two years. Stroud went on to become one of
Nashville's premier producers.
1984 - Present
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.
Clay Cook
is Doug's newphew and adds an element to the band like no other. Covering vocals, guitar, keyboards, flute, sax and more, this multi-instrumentalist is a musician beyond compare.
Tom Robb replaced Bob Wray on bass in 1985 and stayed until
1987.
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.
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.
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.
Frank Toler was MTB's drummer from 1992 - 1994.
Mark Petty played keyboards from 1992 - 1994 (no picture
available).
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.
Keyboardist Paul Thompson played keyboards in 1994.
Sadly he was killed in an auto accident in 1999.
Garry Guzzardo replaced Frank Toler in 1994 and stayed with
the band until 1996.
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.
B.B. Borden, founding member of the 1970's progressive rock band Mother's Finest
joined MTB with the departure of Gary Guzzardo. He had just got through
playing several years with the Outlaws and before that had played with 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.
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 sol and released a CD titled Funky Broadway.
Doug's 22 year old nephew
Clay Cook
replaces David Muse on sax, flute and keyboards.
 
Chris Hicks (guitar) and Tony Heatherly (bass) are the latest additions to MTB.
David Muse returns to the MTB lineup in 2003. David covers the flute, sax and keyboard chores for the band.
Pat Elwood replaces Tony Heatherly (on bass) in 2004.
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