RIP-Marshall Tucker.. The real guy

Craig Stock · Post by **Craig Stock** » 22 Jan 2023 8:46 am

Great Story behind the man and his namesake band.

This should be of interest to Charlie 'Charlie the Tuner' McDonald.

https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/mars ... -has-died/

Jim Fogle · Post by **Jim Fogle** » 22 Jan 2023 11:06 am

Nice story I had not heard before.

When I was young for many years my parent's country music band included a blind, female piano player. Her blind husband was a piano tuner known for his perfect pitch. Were they the same couple mentioned in the article? It's possible but I don't think it's likely. The Marshall Tucker Band was from the upper region of SC while we lived in the lowcountry.

South Carolina can be roughly divided into three regions; the lowcountry or coast with Charleston, Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head; the sandhills with Columbia and the upper region or mountains with Spartanburg/Greenville. Other than politics something can happen in one region and the other two regions might not even be aware it occurred. During the band's heyday it's likely many people living in South Carolina were not aware the Marshall Tucker band was native to SC.

The article sure brought back some good memories. Thanks for sharing.

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 23 Jan 2023 1:17 am

I was sure that Marshall Tucker was a Southern musician.
Great story.

"...they always kept up with Marshall Tucker through the years. The band is who informed the public that Marshall Tucker died on Friday, January 20th at the age of 99."

Sweet.

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 23 Jan 2023 7:17 am

I once talked to a piano tuner. He said the only thing they ever used was a pitch fork, other things would be sacrilegious.
You still work that way, Charie?

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 24 Jan 2023 11:03 am

I don't still work. But yes, I use a fork, actually 2 (C & A.) That way, I could stand a better chance of getting a smooth beat rate of the thirds in the temperament octave, and more assured that the F-C fifth would remain strong, which was probably the 'secret' of my success. A strong (nearer J) fifth is better for rock n roll, and also in a studio. And it's probably good to have A at 440, even for Lynard Skinnard.

So yes, I use my ears. Like Marshall Tucker.