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not far from where Doug lived. During those days, we were getting together for lunch all the time, usually Mexican, and having fun talking about everything from politics to rock and roll. Around this same time, the band had a


little recording studio in Spartanburg that sat beside Smith Music, the place where we all bought our instruments and supplies over the years. I can remember visiting the studio sev- eral times, like the occasion where the band was recording Face Down in The Blues. I al- ways enjoyed watching the songs as they were


the tour featured The Charlie Daniels Band, The Marshall Tucker Band and The Outlaws. The tour kicked off in Greenville, and I was there, front and center. I was once again hon- ored to sing with the band on "Can't You See," with Doug, Chris Hicks and original MTB roadie "Puff" singing along, and Tony Heatherl reprising his role as bass player on the inviutation of Pat Elwood. It was June of 2007 when we lost the


third original MTB member. George Mc- Corkle died of cancer, and we all wept. In No- vember we would hold a memorial Jam 4 George in an effort to work through our feelings. George had truly become a friend of mine over the past few years, recording on my latest album, as well as on a planned Ray Brand memo- rial CD. George played at many of out GRITZ func- tions, and was always the first to pitch in for our ben- efit shows. K.G. was one of a kind.


Now it seems as


though everything has come full circle. From the


assembled, layer by layer. I have now been blessed to sit in and


sing with Tucker over 25 times, and it is al- ways fun. Most of these jams took place at the annual Angelus Benefits down in Clearwater and Tampa, Florida. Those events are always the highlight of the year. There are late night jam sessions, the all day country and South- ern rock concert, the golf tournament, and lots and lots of face time with old friends. In 2007 I was able to spend several days in


the studio as MTB recorded their album The Next Adventure . Imagine my surprise whe Doug invited me to play some guitar on the album. In the summer of 2007, The Volunteer Jam Tour was back on the road. This time,


time I bought my first Marshall Tucker Band LP at Record Bar, and asked my friend Larry to give it to his sister to get autographed- to the early 80’s, meeting some of them in town, at work and at the studio, and the writing of Carolina Dreams. All of the gigs, bus rides, studio experiences. The Marshall Tucker Band continues to tour and record to this day, keeping the memories of Toy, Tommy and George alive. As long as I am drawing breath, I will be out their with them, doing my part to keep our brothers’ memories, and that great music alive. •


In loving memory of Toy & Tommy Caldwell, George McCorkle, Stuart Swanlund and Tony Heatherly. We


miss you guys. See y’all in the Light.


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