Some might find it challenging to do something soulful for four decades, as has Marshall Tucker Band lead singer Doug Gray. But the Spartanburg, S.C. southern rocker doesn’t see it like that.
“It’s been 41 years of playing all these shows and then you come home and start again,” Gray says. “We’ve just been out working and having a great time.”
Their current 90-show tour, including a stop on Wednesday at the Monterey County Fair, has included invites to perform at the legendary Grand Ole Opry and shows with both Kid Rock and Zac Brown. Earlier this year, the band was inducted into the South Carolina Hall of Fame and performed a special concert featuring special guests Charlie Daniels, The Allman Brothers Band’s Butch Trucks and all the guys from the original Outlaws band.The concert, which delivered classics like their highest charting single “Heard It In A Love Song” and “Can’t You See,” off their 1973 self-titled debut, was recorded and released as Live! From Spartanburg, South Carolina.
As MTB’s only remaining original member, Gray feels additional pressure to ensure each night the band performs as spectacularly as in the early days.
“I have to work harder to make sure everybody is on top of the music,” he says. “The whole reason we started was to get on the stage and play our butts off and we have to maintain that.”
Only eight years into the life of the MTB, founding member Tommy Caldwell died. A year later, several other members decided they wanted out because of the grueling touring lifestyle.
“Everybody was looking to me because I was singing 90 percent of the songs,” Gray says. “They said, ‘You can’t just leave us hanging here. What are you going to do?’”
His response: “‘We have to keep on with songs and the sounds that we had before.’ There was never a time when we actually quit playing.”
Promoters around the country urged Gray that all he needed to do was keep singing to keep the band alive. He didn’t need much convincing then – or now.
“The reality is I would be bored if I didn’t have the opportunity to continue to play,” Gray says. “It gives me inspiration to see families bringing their kids or grandkids. We just want to be known for playing wonderful, meaningful songs translated into great memories over all the years.”
THE MARSHALL TUCKER BAND performs 7:30pm Wednesday, Aug. 28, at the Monterey County Fairgrounds, 2004 Fairgrounds Road, Monterey. Free with fair admission ($7; $3 children 6-12; free 5 and under). 372-5863. www.montereycountyfair.com
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