Los Angeles, CA – 1977 was an epic year for The Marshall Tucker Band. They’d just released their Carolina Dreams LP, which contained the soon-to-be chart topper “Heard It In A Love Song.” Ticket sales were heading upwards into the 20,000 a night range. The energy was high and the performances were unstoppable. “We missed our families and wanted to spend all that new-found money, but every time we hopped back on the bus, we couldn’t wait for the next show,” says MTB lead vocalist Doug Gray.
Everyone in attendance during the magic evening of February 18th at Passaic, New Jersey’s Capitol Theatre were given the concert experience of a lifetime from this legendary group at the top of their game. This is the only known complete concert footage of The Marshall Tucker Band to include all the original members.
Longtime fans and newcomers alike will be in awe as the band effortlessly works through classics like “Fire On The Mountain,” “Take The Highway,” “Can’t You See” and the aforementioned “Heard It In A Love Song” with their seamless blend of country pop, rock, jazz, blues sound that became the definitive Southern sound. Shout! Factory and Ramblin’ Records will be releasing the deluxe DVD/2-CD package Carolina Dreams Tour ‘77 on December 4th, 2007.
Marshall Tucker had been building towards this breakthrough for nearly a decade. The band’s roots extend back to the late 1960s, when Doug Gray and lead guitarist Toy Caldwell returned to their native Spartanburg, South Carolina after completing military service in Vietnam. After performing locally, the two of them founded the Toy Factory with bassist Tommy Caldwell (Toy’s brother), rhythm guitarist George McCorkle, drummer Paul Riddle and reed player Jerry Eubanks. They became The Marshall Tucker Band, naming themselves after a local piano tuner when signing with Capricorn Records. They then started touring with the Allman Brothers, Wet Willy and other rising stars of Southern rock and soon became headliners themselves.
Their self-titled debut album was released in 1973, followed by A New Life (1974) and the half live/half studio Where We All Belong (1975). Searchin’ For A Rainbow (1975) brought them their first Top 40 single with “Fire On The Mountain”; A Long Hard Ride (1976) delved further into the Western themes the band became known for prior to the release of Carolina Dreams in 1977.
The DVD kicks off with the Carolina Dreams ode to gambling, “Fly Like An Eagle,” then heads into their country terrain with ”Searchin’ For A Rainbow.” “This is followed by their biggest hit, “Heard It In A Love Song,” which went on to hit #14 on the charts in 1977.
Since this concert was recorded, three of the original members of The Marshall Tucker Band passed away including brothers Tommy and Toy Caldwell, and most recently George McCorkle. Fortunately with this release, the band can be seen at their best.
DVD extras include a commentary with Gray and a MTB slide show, which can also be seen over the beginning of “24 Hours At A Time,” due to the beginning of the original film to that track being unusable. The DVD is the perfect compliment to the Marshall Tucker Band audio releases available on Shout! Factory/Ramblin’ Records that include nearly all of their vast catalog.
The Marshall Tucker Band performed over 100 headline shows this past year, supporting the band’s latest studio release, The Next Adventure – which was released this past summer. For those that enjoy this classic Band, MTB will be performing in the coming year at venue or festival near your hometown.
Marshall Tucker Entertainment, Inc. D/B/A Ramblin’ Records was established in 1997 by MTB Lead Singer/ Founder/Leader Doug Gray and MTB Manager Ron Rainey. The company was founded for the purpose of recording and releasing music by Marshall Tucker Band. All but one of MTB’s 19 original recordings are now under the Ramblin’ Records banner including their Warner Bros. and Capricorn titles. Ramblin’ Records partners with Shout! Factory for the release and distribution or Ramblin’ Records.
Shout! Factory is a diversified entertainment company devoted to producing, uncovering and revitalizing the very best of pop culture. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their careers sharing their music, television and film faves with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory’s DVD offerings serve up classic, contemporary and cult TV series, riveting sports programs, live music, animation and documentaries in lavish packages crammed with extras. The company’s audio catalogue boasts GRAMMY®-nominated boxed sets, new releases from storied artists, lovingly assembled album reissues and indispensable “best of” compilations. These riches are the result of a creative acquisitions mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention. Shout! Factory is based in Santa Monica, California.
Marshall Tucker Band Carolina Dreams Tour ’77 (DVD/2 CD)
Release Date: December 4
Suggested Retail Price: $29.98
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