The Marshall Tucker Band Tickets

I have never written a letter like this, frankly because I never had to. Friday night I went to see The Marshall Tucker Band perform at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in New Jersey. I can say that without question it was the worst concert I've ever attended. As an avid music lover, I've been fortunate enough have seen acts all over the world. Beginning in 1977 I've literally attended hundreds of concerts. I am dumbfounded by what I saw Friday evening. The word train wreck is an understatement. Not halfway into the show, the audience were leaving the venue in droves. Doug Gray was so out of touch with the band and the audience that I can only assume it was attributed to alcohol or drugs. After a car ride home, and some time to reflect, I felt compelled to write this review to share this disaster with others who would consider going to a MTB show. What really bothers me is that this was once a great band, with a great song book. The people who attended Friday’s show paid good money to see the band and hear their songs. What they got was the band coming on stage and lead singer that could hardly recall the words to these wonderful songs. During the opening song, when Mr. Gray couldn't remember the words, he just stopped playing and mysteriously asked for a sound check, which never happened. He then left the stage, and left behind the band who seemed all too familiar with this behavior to entertain the audience. The band played a song that was not bad, but not immediately recognizable as a Marshall Tucker compilation. After that song, Mr. Gray returned to the stage only to surprise his band mates and order them off the stage. He then asked only the keyboard player to remain and sang a depressing song which he claimed was a song Toy Caldwell had written in 1974. The song was an odd ballad about a man just asking for the truth, not lies. I thought, that is what we want too, the TRUTH. What is going on here? Two days afterwards, I'm still in shock by what I witnessed. When the duet finished, the band played for about fifteen minutes (I don't even know what) they then introduced a Marshall Tucker Classic and launched another ten minute flute/drum solo. I looked at my watch and realized that 40 minutes had passed and the band had not really played a song! Throughout the time we managed to sit through this mess, Mr. Gray continually wandered on and off stage. This further contributed to making this the strangest performance I've ever seen. The final straw for us was when Mr. Gray attempted to sing 24 hours at a time. He was literally mumbling the words. Whereas in the past the band could launch into jams and interpretations of their songs, this band’s music would wander off the song in a completely unrecognizable way only to return to a somewhat recognizable tune. If this were not so sad, it would almost be funny. I went to the show with my friend I've known since we were 5 years old. Over the year’s we jointly attended many MTB shows. Beautiful summer evenings at the Garden State Arts Center, energetic shows on Long Island. For the entire ride home, we refused to believe this was the same band we knew back in the 70’s and 80’s. He had arranged for the tickets and we both made mention of the shocking performance to venue representatives on our way out of the building. He said that out of respect for what the band has done, and what their music still means to us, we would not ask for a refund. MTB’s music has always been musically complex, truthful and uplifting. The band always knew how to make the audience feel great. To understand this, one does not have to look beyond their song titles (Searching for a Rainbow, Heard it in a Love Song, Running Like the Wind). Songs like ‘Cattle Drive’ , ‘This Ol’ Cowboy’ and ’24 Hours at a Time’ made us Eastern boys feel like we knew a little bit about the West. Feeling completely deprived of the band we once knew, in the car we listened to a Marshall Tucker Concert recorded live in 1980 on Long Island. It became evident, this was not even a shadow of the band that once existed. Given more opportunity, this band will completely destroy the MTB’s legacy. My hope is that before more irreparable damage is done, they take these guys off the road. The musicians seemed talented but Mr. Gray in his current state, is incapable of performing. I think he should be ashamed of himself, he's really steeling from the legacy of a once truly great band and also steeling from his fans that want only wish to hear good music from their past and feel good for a few hours. We will choose not to remember them as the band we saw last night, but I fear others will not be so gracious. I hope you will seriously consider what I have written before attending a MTB show.

I've been to a lot of concerts in my lifetime, and I like my music loud. I thought the music was ok, but way too loud. I'm deaf, and it was still way too loud. My wife asked to leave because of the loudness. When I mentioned it to someone at the venue they offered to sell earplugs for $1 a pair, which I bought. Still way to loud. My wife's the Marshall Tucker fan, and she said they didn't even do the music well.

Last remaining member ruins the night. Let's just call it a band by another name so we are all clear

Doug Gray should not be singing, they played very few songs that were the popular ones. After the first fiew notes of Doug Gray singing, it turned into a comedy show! We payed way too much for a show that was a huge disappointment!

Have been to many concerts and this was the worst ever ! The lead singer was so bad he talked most of the time. They played for a hour and twenty min at the most Don't waste your money, I wish I had before spending 70 dollars a ticket.

Excellent show in a really cool venue. The opening act, Porch 40, was really good too

As soon as they started playing I remembered the songs. They went non stop.

Cmon guys, you don't need two (or three) lead breaks, one flute, and one sax solo in EVERY song! You guys are great but you're not a jam band.

Growing up in the 70s and 80s, I really enjoyed listening to Marshall Tucker but never had the chance to see them live. I was looking forward to now seeing them. But, Doug Gray's voice is gone, which is sad. The more disappointing aspect is that I paid over $100 for two tickets to one of the worst concerts I have ever been to. It is time for Dough Gray to retire. Your money is better spent on downloading their songs and remembering them how they used to be. Can I get a refund?

2nd year in a row they did NOT do "Heard It In A Love Song". Most likely last time i will purchase tickets to MTB. CD's much better than "live" Jam sessions is not what we came for. While flutist/keyboard/sax guy is awesome.... still pissed they did not do their signature song. Oh, and I really don't want to come see MTB ask me to sing "Can't Ya See". I can do that @ home!!!

We had never been to the CDEC and were pleasantly surprised! Thought I bought seats right "up front", wow, was I wrong! We were right over the stage! Great seats! Porch 40 was a great band, liked their music! But, the MTB was a BUCKET LIST item for us! They were great! Best hall, best seats, BEST BAND!!! WOW! We'll be back!

The band is GREAT! The Canyon Club however is NOT the place to eat. Their food is absolutely DREADFUL.

Everything was awesome the Marshall Tucker band was the best . the BB King club was also the best.

Doug Gray needs to step aside and let the rest of the band perform. Marcus Henderson – Keyboards, Saxophone, Flute & Vocals is simply amazing and a very talented musician. BB Kings was a great venue to hear a band I grew up with in the 70's.

I was good to hear their classics, cant you see, hear it in a love song, ect... A little too much talking, very slow in the middle of the show. 1 time seeing them is enough.

I've always enjoyed the band and have seen them many times over the years. The current lineup has strong, seasoned musicians with good energy and connection with one another. They jam together like they're just hanging out, having fun in the living room. BB's as a venue and the fact that it was their last show for 2014 just added to the feast of rock n roll delight!

This is a case where one original band member is holding on to a legacy. He can't sing and shouldn't be on stage. Complete waste of time and money

Had great seats, the food was good, the band started on time. This was 2nd trip to B B Kings in a year to see the Marshall Tucker band. They were fantastic. Getting tickets on line was easy, affordable and efficient. great place to see a show.

In a word, HORRIBLE, is the best way to describe this concert. When the lead singer has no voice and can not sing, the concert should be canceled. Then to blame it on the sound tech's, very unprofessional. They should have refunded all the tickets for that night.

This was one of the worst rock shows I've seen in my life, And I've seen a ton of them. The band had sound problems all nite, forcing them to walk off the stage for a minute. The venue, Pano Hall at Thunder Valley resort is s joke with the rows of chairs. According to the seat map on ticketmaster, I thought I could get to my seat from the far end of the row, but the end seat was against the wall forcing me to squeeze by about 16 people to get to my seat. Plus the crowd at the back of the hall was really noisy chatting, distacting me from the sound of the band, which, let's face it , is a shadow of it's former self. MTB used to really cook as a live band in the seventies, with the original rhythm section and remaining lineup. The current drummer and bass player are not very good, or maybe this band does'nt really want to be a good jam act like the Allman Brothers were able to be throughout their entire 45 year career. Disappointed all around.