THE BAND
TOMMY CALDWELL (November 9, 1949 – April 28, 1980) was the band's bassist, leader and visionary from 1972 until his death from injuries sustained in a jeep accident. He also sang background vocals and wrote several songs, including "Melody Ann," (the only song he ever performed lead vocals on). He was the younger brother of bandmate and band co-founder, Toy Caldwell and, like Toy, also played his instrument with his thumb.
TOY CALDWELL (November 13, 1947 - February 25, 1993) It was from the heart and soul of Toy Caldwell that the majority of The Marshall Tucker Band's songs originated. His lyrics and music have touched many. For so many, Toy's songs 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 1972 - 1983. He also played pedal steel and acoustic guitar. He sang lead on several songs, including "Can't You See," "This Ol Cowboy," and "Blue Ridge Mountain Sky."
JERRY EUBANKS (born March 9, 1950) 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 1972 - 1996. His iconic 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 retired to enjoy a life of leisure in Spartanburg with his wife and children.
DOUG GRAY (born May 22, 1948) According to his mother, Doug Gray developed an interest in entertaining at an early age. He would walk around in his baby crib smiling and dancing to the country music tunes coming from the family radio. Throughout his school years, Gray was a singer -- perhaps not a professional, but someone in whom the seed of stardom had been firmly planted. As a teenager, Gray fronted a band called the Guildsmen, performing rhythm & blues and rock covers before joining Tommy Caldwell in the New Generation, who cut a locally moderately successful 45, "Because of Love It's All Over," co-written by Caldwell and Gray. Just after high school, Gray joined friends Tommy and Toy Caldwell, Jerry Eubanks, and Ross Hanna to form the Toy Factory, a band that immediately began to achieve popularity. Toy Factory became so popular that they were asked to open for the Allman Brothers Band. Soon, though, the various band members were drafted or enlisted in the different branches of the military, and the band went through a couple of changes in personnel during the interim. When everyone returned from service, the musicians regrouped with Gray, the Caldwell brothers, and Eubanks being joined by George McCorkle, and Paul T. Riddle, who was still in high school. During rehearsal one night, someone found a key ring in the warehouse where they practiced that belonged to a local piano tuner named Marshall Tucker. The band's name was born. While opening a show at the Ruins in Spartanburg for Wet Willie, The Marshall Tucker Band was heard by Willie's lead singer, Jimmy Hall. Hall took the band to Macon, Georgia, where he introduced them to Capricorn Records CEO Phil Walden, who signed the band almost immediately. Since the band's founding in 1972, Gray has been the lead vocalist for The Marshall Tucker Band. - Artist Biography by Michael B. Smith
GEORGE MCCORKLE (October 11, 1947 – June 29, 2007) was a founding member and rhythm guitarist of The Marshall Tucker Band from 1972 - 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 "Silverado," "Dreamlover," "Everybody Needs Somebody," "Foolish Dreaming," "I Should Never Have Started Loving You," "Last of The Singing Cowboys" and "Life In A Song". George retired from the band in 1984 and eventually moved to Nashville to become a full time song writer. McCorkle was diagnosed with cancer in early June 2007 and died soon afterward, in Lebanon, TN.
PAUL RIDDLE (born 1953) Drummer Paul Riddle was a founding member, with the band from 1972 - 1983. He was heavily influenced by jazz drumming legend Buddy Rich. Paul's jazz styling was unique to rock and roll bands and heavily contributed to MTB's unique sound. He still lives in Spartanburg, SC.