News Segment
25 YEARS OF MOLLY HATCHET:
March 30, 2004
In the early 1970’s a new form of music was emerging in the south. A mixture of blues, country, gospel and the English invasion of rock and roll that later was to be coined the phrase “Southern Rock.” The music was filled with style and emotion and with bands in the forefront such as the Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd and a band from Jacksonville, Florida called Molly Hatchet. Named after a famous 17th century axe murderess hatchet molly who would behead her lovers with the hand tool Lizzy Borden made famous.
Their self-titled debut album which included Danny Joe Brown, Dave Hlubeck, Duane Roland, Steve Holland, Banner Thoman and Bruce Crump in the lineup was released on Epic records in 1978 and reached multi-platinum status as the band established their reputation of working hard, playing tough and living fast through intense touring with such bands as Aerosmith, Bob Seger, The Rolling Stones and many more. In 1979, Flirtin With Disaster was released and history was in the making. The band continued touring on the road with an average of 250 live shows per year and like the first album it also achieved multi-platinum status. Lead singer, Danny Joe Brown left the band in 1980 and contacted Bobby Ingram, a well known southern guitarist and friend, who gave brown his first singing gig in 1975 with a Jacksonville based band called Rum Creek. Brown and Ingram then put together with keyboardist John Galvin the Danny Joe Brown Band and continued touring until 1982.
During this time, Beatin The Odds(1980) and Take No Prisoners(1981) was released with singer Jimmy Farrar. Brown returned to record No Guts … No Glory(1983), The Deed Is Done(1984) and Double Trouble Live(1985). In 1985, Bobby Ingram, with his songwriting and live performance abilities came into the band to replace Dave Hlubek. The band continued to tour over 200 dates a year and in 1989 record Lightning Strikes Twice for capitol records.
In 1990, while Ingram, Galvin and Brown continued the tradition as Molly Hatchet the tough touring schedule lead to the other members departure from the band. The Greatest Hits album was released in 1991 and certified gold. The band from 1990 until 1995 took a break from recording but continued to write new songs and tour in the United States, Canada and Europe. Devil’s Canyon, the first studio album in 6 years was then recorded in Hamburg, Germany in 1996 under the care and guidance of Rainer Hansel, CBH Records. With producers Kalle Trapp and Bobby Ingram the album was voted the number one rock record in Europe for 1996. With a history of diabetes, brown was unable to fulfil studio and touring responsibilities and he brought in Phil McCormack to take over the lead vocal position. Long time member Bobby Ingram – lead guitar, Phil McCormack – lead vocals, John Galvin – keyboards, Bryan Bassett – lead guitar, Andy McKinney – bass, Mac Crawford – drums, make up the current lineup.
From the release of Devil’s Cannon and the world wide touring coordinated by Steve Green, Artists International Management, the band has continued performing the classic hits such as “Flirtin With Disaster,” “Gator Country,” “Whiskey Man” and “Dreams I’ll Never Dee,” as well as, the current hits in the true spirit and southern tradition of Molly Hatchet. The 1998 release of Silent Reign Of Heroes was recorded back in Hamburg, Germany with producer/guitarist Bobby Ingram and is kept in the same spirit and tradition as the past with new hit songs “Mississippi Moon Dog,” “Saddle Tramp,” “Miss Saturday Night” and the title track “Silent Reign Of Heroes”. Included on the album is an acoustic version of the classic hit “Fall Of The Peacemakers”. The band is currently on an extensive 18 month world tour in support of the new release “Kingdom of XII” where guest artist Charlie Daniels appeared on 2 tracks the album charted in Europe and had much success.
In 2003 the band is celebrating it’s 25th anniversary of the first national or international release with first a double Live album “Locked and Loaded” recorded in Germany as they concider this their home away from home and it is the first time in 7 years that a Live album has made the European Charts and SPV GmbH is still there beloved record company with Rainer Hansel and Manfred Schutz. The band has plans on touring in support of the 25th anniversary and will release a new studio album of all of the classic songs re-recorded in this generation of the band with Artists International Management, Inc. as their agency that keeps the band touring and bringing southern rock to all of the united fans worldwide. And after 2.5 decades the band is working hard, playing fast living tough and still Flirtin’ with Disaster!!!
www.mollyhatchet.comwww.spvusa.com
25th ANNIVERSARY WORLD TOUR 2004 ongoing dates:
MARCH 29, 2004 ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO MIDNIGHT RODEO
MARCH 30, 2004 EL PASO, TEXAS STAMPEDE NIGHTCLUB
APRIL 2, 2004 SANFORD, FLORIDA THE BARN
APRIL 3, 2004 BRANDEN, FLORIDA BBQ FESTIVAL CITY CENTER
APRIL 7, 2004 NORCROSS, GEORGIA THE STAGE
APRIL 9, 2004 MYRTLE BEACH, S. CAROLINA MURRELL’S INLET S,B,B.
APRIL 23, 2004 SKULLBONE, TENNESSEE SKULLBONE MUSIC PARK
APRIL 24, 2004 SOMERVILLE, TEXAS DAWGS ON HAWGS FESTIVAL
APRIL 28, 2004 REX, GEORGIA RUSTY ROOSTER
APRIL 30, 2004 BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA YELLOW ROSE FESTIVAL
MAY 6, 2004 SAINT CHARLES, MISSOURI AMERISTAR CASINO ST. CHARLES
MAY 7, 2004 HOUSTON, TEXAS ODEON THEATRE
MAY 10, 2004 CLEVELAND, OHIO ODEON CONCERT CLUB
MAY 11, 2004 MYRTLE BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF BLUES
MAY 22, 2004 LAUGHLIN, NEVADA AVI CASINO HOTEL RESORT
MAY 28, 2004 HERRIN, ILLINOIS HERRINFESTA ITALIANA 2004
MAY 31, 2004 HAMLIN, NEW YORK VIETNAM VERTERANS BIKE RUN
JUNE 4, 2004 ANTIOCH, CALIFORNIA CONTRA COSTA FAIR
JUNE 5, 2004 NAPAVINE, WASHINGTON NAPAVINE AMPHITHEATRE
JUNE 11, 2004 CRANDEN, WISCONSIN CRANDEN BIKE RALLY
JUNE 12, 2004 GENEVA, MINNESOTA ALL AMERICAN FAME FESTIVAL
JUNE 18, 2004 PEORIA, ILLINOIS PEORIA CONVENTION CENTER
JUNE 19, 2004 FOUNTAIN CITY, WISCONSIN GIN MILL FESIVAL
JUNE 24, 2004 FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA RED RIVER FESTIVAL 2004
JUNE 25, 2004 ATWATER, MINNESOTA BIKE RALLY FESTIVAL 2004
JUNE 26, 2004 GREEN RIVER, WYOMING WYOMING STATE FAIR
JULY 13, 2004 HINSDALE, MASSACHUTTES BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
JULY 17, 2004 CHICAGO, ILLINOIS COMMUNITY BROOKFEST 2004
JULY 24, 2004 BIRKENFIELD, OREGON FLYING W RANCH
JULY 29, 2004 SUPERIOR, WISCONSIN THE LAKE FAIR 2004
AUGUST 7, 2004 GREENVILLE, WISCONSIN GREENVILLE LIONS PARK
AUGUST 13, 2004 JIM THORPE, PENNSYLVANIA PENN’S PEAK FESTIVAL
AUGUST 14, 2004 PATTERSON, NEW YORK PATTERSON FAIR GROUNDS
SEPTEMBER 3, 2004 LITCHFIELD, MINNESOTA MEEKER COUNTY FAIR
SEPTEMBER 5, 2004 IGNACIO, COLORADO RALLY IN THE ROCKIES
SEPTEMBER 10, 2004 COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA OPEN AIR BIKE FESTIVAL
SEPTEMBER 11, 2004 GRAND JUNCTION, COLORADO ROCK JAM/MAIN STAGE
OCTOBER 2, 2004 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTES BOSTON FUNDRAISER FESTIVAL 2004
OCTOBER 6, 2004 JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI MISSISSIPPI STATE FAIR
ADDITIONAL TOUR DATES TO BE ADDED!!!
Liz and Dave courtesy of Earsplit PR