THE HISTORY OF MOLLY HATCHET

In the early 1970s 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 Hlubek, Duane Roland, Steve Holland, Banner Thomas 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 Jacksonville based 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. The album was produced by Glyn Johns at Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas as he has worked with legendary artist The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Who, The Eagles and many more.

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 the fall of 1985, Bobby Ingram of Jacksonville came into the band as lead guitar and songwriter and 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 fulfill 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 celebrated 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 consider 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. And Locked and Loaded a double CD that was recorded in Germany at the International Harley Davidson Festival in front of 80,000 Southern rockers that has now been captured on DVD and being released fall of 2005. After 4.5 years of touring and tracking outside of the studio on their own material it was time to release an album that in the bands tradition go back to the roots of straight forward southern rock and roll that's unequaled of anything the band has recorded before in the 25 year legacy. The album "Warriors of the Rainbow Bridge" recorded in the mountain tops of Bavaria was the perfect setting for such a comprehensive project. As we live day by day no one knew that Bobby Ingram would suffer the lose of his wife Stephanie during the tracking of the album and finish after a delay. Stephanie was the seventh member of Molly Hatchet and she did many things behind the scenes that no one ever saw and she was never the person that would ever want anything in return. The Southern Rock community has lost a great person that she gave all and loved Molly Hatchet and the friends she made along the way. If that was the first emotional heartbreak, Danny Joe Brown the singer for Molly Hatchet passed away from complications of diabetes he had suffered with for many years and he gave so much to the rock and roll industry and music around the world all of our heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to his family and children and he also will never be forgotten. In 2006, Duane Roland, guitarist of the band passed away and also left a legacy that will never be forgotten. We will all miss him and his music lives on. In 2005, Dave Hlubek, a founding member after playing in various bands around the United States has returned to Molly Hatchet after 20 years. Everyone was glad to see Dave having a good time and doing what he does best...the tradition lives on!!

So as we enter the next 25 years of music Molly Hatchet supports tradition that keeps developing the common bond and unity that keeps this style of music alive and well and rest assured Molly Hatchet is a band that after 28 years is always workin' hard, playin' tough, livin' fast, and still Flirtin' with Disaster!!!

Bobby Ingram

Bobby Ingram born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida and started playing the guitar at the age of 11 years old.  Started his first band in 1968 during the time Jacksonville was making its historical mark in Southern Rock and created the group "Rum Creek"... credited for giving Danny Joe Brown his first singing gig before Molly Hatchet. He continued playing music while attending college and graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Accounting. In 1980, he started the “Danny Joe Brown Band” with Danny and is where he met long time friend and keyboardist John Galvin.  Bobby is the longest standing member in the history of “Molly Hatchet” and has produced over half of the entire catalog of the bands recordings for worldwide distribution.  Early influences were Eric Clapton, Allen Collins, Lennon and McCartney. After almost 40 years he still enjoys playing guitar and pioneering musical endeavors as band leader of Molly Hatchet. The test of time say's it all as the band is still touring, recording new albums and continues to expand musical expressions in Southern Rock and setting higher standards in the genre while still keeping down home traditions in the forefront as “Molly Hatchet” is still a peoples band playing peoples music after 30 years of recording and still…Flirtin’ with Disaster.


Phil Mccormack

Phil McCormack originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin moved to Dayton, Ohio in 1968 and lived there until 1974.  He later moved to Washington, D.C., and the McLean, Virginia area but now calls Jacksonville, Florida his home. He played in his first band with Jazzbo McMann and later joined the Dixie Road Ducks and toured the United States extensively with his influences musically from James Brown, Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Hendrix, Dave Mason, Greg Allman, Lynyrd Skynyrd and many other 70’s acts of the time.  The Dixie Road Duck were know throughout playing southern rock and roll and Phil cut his teeth and set his own style of professionalism with the group which still today shows in his performance night after night.  A great front man, singer and spirit for Molly Hatchet. He has done recordings with groups as “The Regulators”, Kim Simmons and “Savoy Brown”. From 1996 to present he has remained lead vocalist with Molly Hatchet and states he will for the rest of his life.


Dave Hlubek

Dave Hlubek started playing guitar at an early age and has made a unique statement in Southern Rock as he has now rejoined the band after a 20 year break of pursuing other musical avenues. Credited for his songwriting influence in “Molly Hatchet” with many of the hits associated with the band.  He still enjoys a comfortable lifestyle and plays the guitar as he did decades ago during the formative years of the band. Playing in the early years around Jacksonville, Florida he was one of the first musical influences to emerge from the south and made his niche with “Molly Hatchet” from the beginning. Anyone who knows Dave will admit he is quite the story teller of rock and roll and shares with other musicians his “tricks of the trade” with no holding back. He also enjoys being back on stage playing songs to the veteran fans of the group after many years.


John Galvin

John Galvin grew up in rural Ohio, where he studied classical & jazz piano for 12 years. At the early age of 14, started gigging at fairs, restaurants, even skating rinks and Churches. Fronting his own rock band in high school, this was the kind of music he truly enjoyed.  Having a broad knowledge of many musical styles, John ended up in Detroit playing country music.  "At the time it wasn't my favorite, but it paid well, and I ended up playing the same bar for 8 years. I learned to like it, it grew on me." John’s quest to kick the country circuit up a notch began with the advent of Southern Rock. "We were the first country band in Detroit to play southern rock material, and it went over in a BIG way! Many other local bands followed after that." In 1980, John joined Danny Joe Brown and Bobby Ingram as the keyboard force in “The Danny Joe Brown Band”. Two years later John was asked to join “Molly Hatchet”, and other than a brief absence in the early 90's, has been the ivory man ever since! "Bobby Ingram has done a fabulous job at reviving the band, and keeping it alive and well. The band is a force to be reckoned with, but at the same time, very down to earth and fan-friendly. As Phil McCormack says, I thank God and Bobby to be blessed with the opportunity to play with this dynamic band, and all the great players in it. AMEN!"


Tim Lindsey

Tim Lindsey, bass guitar, vocals and writer has recorded with The Rossington Band and Molly Hatchet International Recording Artist.  He also toured with Lynyrd Skynyrd as  Bassist and has also backed up Hall of Fame and Country Hall of Fame artists throughout 3 decades. Setting the highest of standards in his profession consistently associated with top music industry artists he continues his unique and outstanding bass talents through the years. Born and raised on the West Side of Jacksonville… Tim developed his style alongside other up and coming artists from the same area during an unprecedented time in music history. Like so many of his contemporaries he was influenced by the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Canned Heat, Stevie Wonder and most of the great artists of the era.  A true performer and music lover throughout his long and successful career.  Fans worldwide are glad to see Timmy with Molly Hatchet!!


Shawn Beamer

A veteran “Molly Hatchet” member Shawn Beamer is celebrating his 8th Anniversary as the band's drummer!  He is also know as “Thunder” as you can understand why on CD and live performances. He also adds to the band a great personality that keeps everyone in a great mood even after 29 hours at an airport layover.  A true spirited person and a great musician with a message to the “Molly Hatchet” fans he wanted to share…"I want to say one thing.  Being a fan of this music means to me that every time I step on that stage I am a representative of the band, both past and present, and I take that very seriously.  I look at this band and know that they have a place in musical history and I want my tenure to be one that lives up to the standards of those who were here before me.  I am grateful for this chance to play music that means so much too so many people, and I will do it with the class and honor it deserves."

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