The hugely influential Country Southern Rock act MARSHALL TUCKER BAND actually featured no one named Marshall Tucker. The band was founded upon the musical drive of two brothers, Toy and Tommy Caldwell. The siblings had both continued their father's thumb picking guitar technique which would give the band its distinctive edge.

Toy's first band came while he was still at school. MAGAR'S MADMEN also featured Kenny Magar and Franklin Willie in the ranks. Still at school Toy and Magar teamed up with the R&B band the RAMBLERS. With the departure of Magar the RAMBLERS drafted guitarist George McCorkle as the band's sound began to evolve. The band was rounded off by Robbie Cobb, Reggie Gosnell, Wallace Huckaby and Wilkie.

In 1965, with the addition of drummer Ross Hannah the RAMBLERS became THE RANTS. Under this guise the band cut their first demo recordings and the fledgling act very nearly scored a deal with major label Mercury Records.

Meantime, Tommy Caldwell had journeyed through his first band THE NEW GENERATION which comprised of Doug Gray, previously with school band THE GUILDSMEN, Randy Foster and Ross Hannah. The band cut a single 'Because Of Love, It's All Over' for the Sonic record label in 1965.

THE RANT's career was put to a halt though by the Vietnam draft. Caldwell joined the Marines, McCorkle was enlisted into the Navy and Gray found himself in the Army. Toy Caldwell was wounded in action on 18th September 1968 and received a Purple Heart. He returned to combat just two weeks after his injury.

Fortunately the budding musicians all survived the Vietnam conflict and in 1969 Toy and Tommy formed a trio with Steve Smith to play the local club scene. With Smith opting out and new recruits Gray on vocals, Hannah on drums and Wayne Cassantra the band became TOY FACTORY. Tommy had to leave for his draft period in the Marines and Wilkie came in bass. Tommy missed out on the theatre of war due to a damaged leg in basic training and soon returned.

McCorkle meanwhile had forged his own act in 1970 dubbed PAX PARACHUTE with Cassantra, Freddie Brown and drummer Ronnie Edwards. Typically Edwards was drafted and Paul Riddle stepped up to occupy the drum stool. Members of PAX PARACHUTE and TOY FACTORY decided on a merger and a trio of McCorkle, Riddle and Tommy Caldwell was born. The venture was short lived as Caldwell soon returned to TOY FACTORY, by now including a returned Ronnie Edwards on drums, David Ezell and keyboard player Carol Cox. McCorkle joined in the union for a brief tenure before trying his hand on his own again.

TOY FACTORY had built up a worthy following in the Southern states and landed the plum role of openers for THE ALLMAN BROTHERS. The band restructured itself when Toy, Tommy and Gray allied themselves with McCorkle, Riddle and Jerry Eubanks on flute. WET WILLIE's Jimmy Hall became a big fan of the band and persuaded them to record a further demo to give to their label the renowned Capricorn Records. The label was impressed and after a showcase gig opening for WET WILLIE and the band was signed.

Capricorn felt TOY FACTORY was not a strong enough name though. Tommy Caldwell actually got the name 'Marshall Tucker' from a key ring he had found mislaid. The band was re-christened THE MARSHALL TUCKER BAND. The real Marshall Tucker, a blindman who ran a second hand piano business, had no objection to them using his name. Indeed, after an appearance on the TV show hosted by Merv Griffin one of the band queried if Marshall Tucker was still alive. Tucker sent a letter to the TV station proving he was very much alive and for weeks afterwards the show's closing credits included the line 'Marshall Tucker is alive'. It was all good publicity.

The MARSHALL TUCKER BAND began recording of their Paul Hornsby produced debut album in mid 1972. The sessions took two months but upon hearing the finished tapes label boss Phillip Walden was confused by the outcome and even contemplated selling the band to another label. Eventually Capricorn issued the album. 'The Marshall Tucker Band', bouyed by the radio hit 'Take The Highway' scored gold and broke into the U.S. top 30. THE MARSHALL TUCKER BAND went on the road in as geusts to THE ALLMAN BROTHERS and THREE DOG NIGHT in support of the record bringing in fiddle player CHARLIE DANIELS to augment their sound.

In order to maintain the momentum of the debut, Capricorn pulled the band off the road to lay down the second album 'A New Life', produced by Hornsby once more. During recording McCorkle learnt the banjo in a matter of hours to add to the track 'Blue Ridge Mountain Sky'. The album gave the band their second gold award. Another album quickened the pace. Ambitiously, Capricorn decided on a double album package 'Where We All Belong' made up of live material and new studio songs featuring Daniels trademark fiddle and slide guitarist ELVIN BISHOP. 1974 nationwide tours had the up and coming LYNYRD SKYNRD and CHARLIE DANIELS BAND as support. Live recordings, captured on the band's only European tour in the UK, plus Milwaukee and the 'Volunteer Jam' in Murfreesboro, would be intended for a concert album, although never released.

The 1975 album 'Searchin' For A Rainbow' proved to be the pinnacle of the band's commercial success although the song that made the record McCorkle's 'Fire On The Mountain' was originally written for and rejected by CHARLIE DANIELS. Unbowed McCorkle included it in their album set. The album also included Jerry Eubank on saxophone, Dickey Betts of THE ALLMAN BROTHERS on guest guitar and a live live version of 'Can't You See'. 'Searchin' For A Rainbow' reached number 15 in the Billboard charts giving the band its first platinum record for one million sales. 'Fire In The Mountain' gave them a presence in the singles charts too.

The 1976 follow up 'Long Hard Ride', another gold record, saw THE NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND's John McEwan on banjo and Daniels once again on the fiddle. A video was even filmed for the album as a promotional tool giving the band further exposure. Unexpectedly THE MARSHALL TUCKER BAND was even nominated for a Grammy award for 'Long Hard Ride' although in the Country Music category much to the band's amazement.

In 1977 THE MARSHALL TUCKER BAND's popularity was given another boost when they were invited to perform live at President Jimmy Carter's inauguration in Washington D.C. alongside CHARLIE DANIELS and SEA LEVEL. The band was now on a roll with 'Heard It In A Love Song' a huge radio hit.

By 1978 THE MARSHALL TUCKER BAND's years of touring had began to take its toll on the individual band members. A new album 'Together Forever' emerged as their last effort for Capricorn. Both it and the 'Greatest Hits' compilation scored gold sales status but the band was steadily falling apart. Capricorn Records was also in trouble fighting bankruptcy and the band was forced out onto the road without label support. The tour generated such good feeling that major labels fought over their signature. Warner Bros. Won the day but THE MARSHALL TUCKER BAND's opening salvo for their new label the Stuart Levine produced 'Running Like The Wind' fell short of spectacular although 'Last Of The Singing Cowboys' provided the band with another radio hit. Its follow up 'Tenth' restored the balance with a fine set of songs but failed to sell.

1980 put the band through some of its bleakest times. On 28th March the Caldwell's younger brother Tim, aged just 25, was killed in a car accident and a month later, on 28th April, Tommy Caldwell died in similar circumstances when his car hit another which had stalled on the highway. Tommy suffered massive head injuries and after six days in hospital died. Toy decided the best cure for all this heartache was to hit the road again and much to everyone's amazement THE MARSHALL TUCKER BAND went back out on tour with Wilkie positioned back on bass.

The 1981 record 'Dedicated' was issued as a tribute to Toy's lost brothers. Daniels put in guest showings once more. 1982's 'Tuckerized' was recorded at the band's own studios and was made up of tunes delivered in the main by outside songwriters. 1983's 'Just Us' redressed the balance.

THE MARSHALL TUCKER BAND effectively folded in late 1983 when following a show at CHARLIE DANIELS annual 'Volunteer Jam' festival Toy Caldwell, concerned by internal frictions and obviously due to the fact it was probably almost unbearable for him to play without brother Tommy, decided not to carry on further with the band. Both McCorkle and Riddle, despite Toy Caldwell's objections, decided that without Caldwell the band could not continue.

Caldwell duly formed THE TOY CALDWELL BAND. Meanwhile Gray and Eubank felt they could carry the flame og THE MARSHALL TUCKER BAND and signed a new deal with Mercury Records. The Larry Butler produced 'Still Holdin' On' employed seasoned Nashville studio veterans and A.P.B. and JASMINE guitarist Rusty Milner for recording but upon the record's completion a new band line up was finalised. Joining Gray and Eubanks were slide guitarist Stuart Swanland, bassist Tim Lawler and drummer Ace Allen. Two tracks off the album broke the Country Music charts 'Hangin' Out In Smoky Places' and 'Once You Get The Feel Of It'. Despite this success the band found itself dropped by the label.

Undeterred Gray and Eubanks enlisted Milner together with Tim Lawler. In 1989 Gray was hospitilized and told in no uncertain terms that his excessive lifestyle had to end. The singer gave up on drugs, cigarettes and alcohol and was soon back in the studio for a 1990 album 'Southern Spirit' with Milner, Lawler, Swanland, Allen and Don Cameron on keyboards.

1992's 'Still Smokin' released on the Cabin Fever label found the band line up still stable. Caldwell also issued his first solo outing the same year on the same label. 'Toy Caldwell' boasted guests such as GREGG ALLMAN, CHARLIE DANIELS and Country star Willie Nelson. Sadly, in February of 1993 Caldwell , after a first batch of shows to promote his solo album, became ill and died in his sleep. He was only 45 years old.

THE MARSHALL TUCKER AND paid tribute with their 1993 album the Scott Rouse produced 'Walk Outside The Lines'. The band had been steadily delving deeper into the Country sound and this was reflected by the guest appearance of Garth Brooks. Studio drums were handled by Frank Toler and Ronnie Radford lent additional guitar. For touring the band augmented their sound with keyboard player Paul Thompson on loan from Christian Rockers LIGHTSTREAM.

The 1998 album 'Face Down In The Blues' had Steve Poole on keyboards with drums in the studio shared between Lee Sinclair, Jackie Potter and former MOLLY HATCHET, ILLUSION and MOTHER'S FINEST man B.B. Borden. Ex-FIREFALL member Dave Muse handled saxophone and flute.

'Gospel' maintained the line up with Borden back on the drum stool alongside Potter, Sinclair, Jeff Rogers and Gary Guzzardo. Sad news emerged later in the year when it was learned Thompson had died in October in a motorbike accident. The MARSHALL TUCKER BAND still continued to record and tour recently adding Gray's nephew Clay Cook on saxophone and flute for their 2000 dates. GEORGE McCORKLE issued his debut solo album 'American Street' the same year. A live album, 'Stompin' Room Only' issued in 2003, proved to be the welcome, long overdue release of archive mid-seventies recordings.

During early 2004 McCorkle formed up with the SOUTHERN ROCK RENEGADES, an all-star celebration of Southern Rock founded by an elite cast of players. Fronted up by Henry Paul of the OUTLAWS, BLACKHAWK and the HENRY PAUL BAND and WET WILLIE vocalist Jimmy Hall, additional guitars were supplied by LYNYRD SKYNYRD veteran guitarist Ed King and the 38 SPECIAL's Jeff Carlisli. Guest vocals came courtesy of Alison Heafner whilst ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION's Robert Nix delivered the drums.