INSIGHT
years, but Gray cares less
about that and more
about making good
music saying, “You can’t
change good music into
bad music. You just can’t
do it. If it’s a good song,
people are going to like
it forever.”
Over the years, The
Marshall Tucker Band
recorded 22 studio
albums, three DVDs,
three live albums, and other compilations,
but the band’s presence on stage is what
makes the MTB so special. “We put on a
hell of a show,” says Gray. Seeing a crowd
sing along, requesting songs is what
makes his day, “People are smiling, that’s
all that matters.”
The Marshall Tucker Band can be caught
performing with groups in just about
every genre, “One minute it could be
opening for Kid Rock, the next minute
it’s Zac Brown, the following minute The
Doobie Brothers so you never know who
we’re going to be with.”
In addition to MTB’s lasting effect on the
music industry, Gray is proud to note the
many engineers and crew members who
have gone on to work for other big names
like Brad Paisley. He says, “People hire
people who have been with us because
we didn’t train them well, we showed
them how to have a good time and still
get your job done.”
Gray says he’s never let himself slow
down, “You just keep doing what you’re
doing and try to do it the best you can.”
He served as a sergeant in the Vietnam
30
War, and he enjoys riding his Harley when
he has time. Originally from Spartanburg,
SC, Gray now lives in Myrtle Beach.
When we spoke, Gray was in Spartanburg
visiting his daughters and grandkids, ages
six and four. He had gotten home at 5:30
that morning, taken a nap, and started
getting things back in order after being
on the road. “That to me is relaxing,” he
says, “because I can close my eyes at night
and know that everybody’s on the right
track.”
Gray says it’s kind of weird to see people
looking at the MTB like they’re legends. “I
can’t complain, nor will I ever complain,
about these guys having respect for us,”
he adds. “Every time we go to the Grand
Ole Opry people would show up that
think we’re supposed to be there at a ll
times.”
After performing at the Oxford
Performing Arts Center, The marshall
Tucker Band will head up to Connecticut
and then on to dozens of other shows. No
matter where the band travels, Gray will
bring his positivity and humble nature
along for the ride, leaving thousands of
fans smiling along the way. ✽
September 2017
INSIGHT