McGuffey Lane is a country rock band from central Ohio. In 1972 founding members Steve George Reis (bass/ vocals) and Terry Efaw (steel guitar/ gut string guitar/ electric guitar) were a duo called “Scotch and Soda”. When they added Bobby Gene McNelley (vocalist/ guitarist) they renamed themselves McGuffey Lane after the street of Steve’s Athens Ohio home. As their popularity grew they added Dick Smith (drums/ vocals) and Stephen “Tebes” Douglass (keyboards/ harmonica/ vocals). In 1977 McGuffey Lane started playing at Zachariah’s Red Eye Saloon and soon became the house band. At that point they added John Schwab (vocalist/ guitarist) who was opening for them as the sixth and final member of the original McGuffey Lane.
McGuffey Lane played at Zachariah’s through 1980. In August of 1980 they released their first self-titled album on Paradise Island Records selling 40,000 in the first three months. The album reached #1 in Columbus during the fall of 1980 which gained the attention of Atlantic Records. Atlantic released the album nationally on its Atco Label with sales of 175,000. During the early 1980’s McGuffey Lane was a national act touring with Charlie Daniels, the Allman Brothers, The Judds and Marshall Tucker Band. In 1981 they released their second album “Aqua Dreams” followed by their third album “Let the Hard Times Roll” released in 1982. In early 1984 Tebes Douglass was killed in an automobile accident returning home from a show in Dayton. They released their fourth and final album for Atlantic “Day by Day” and dedicated it to Tebes. After the release of “Day by Day”, Bobby Gene McNelley left the band to pursue a solo song writing career.
In 1985 McGuffey Lane went back to their Ohio roots playing clubs, concert halls, fairs and festivals. In 1986 they released “A McGuffey Lane Christmas”, a fundraiser for the Central Ohio Lung Association. In 1990 McGuffey Lane disbanded after a tour through the state and a last night at the Newport Music Hall. In 1993 they did a “one time show” at the Newport and in 1995 they released “Greatest Hits Live and More”. At that point McGuffey Lane regrouped featuring John Schwab, Terry Efaw and Casey McGowan from the 1980’s line up. They were joined by veteran Columbus area musicians including Molly Pauken (mandolin, acoustic guitar, vocals). In 1998 they released “Call Me Lucky” . It was during 1998 that current McGuffey Lane members joined the band. Randy Huff (drums/ vocals) joined in the summer of 1998 and Kevin Reed (harmonica/ vocals) joined at the end of 1998. And there is more along in the 2000s For me and community seeing them for the 2nd time. Seeing them last year. Plenty of coverage . Love them and thanks for coming back for 50 years been playing the music.
15 окт 2024
