Guitarist/vocalist Hughie Thomasson formed the Outlaws in Tampa, Fla., in 1965. Over the next 30 years, the band would go through lineup changes, release three gold albums and a string of Top 40 hits.
After a temporary disbanding in 1996 when Thomasson joined the touring band Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Outlaws' key members regrouped in 2005 for a 30th-anniversary tour.
This year, the Outlaws are part of Charlie Daniels' "Volunteer Jam," USANA Amphitheatre's first concert of the season. And Thomasson is keyed up to be a part of it. "Throughout the years, we have played with Charlie Daniels and Marshall Tucker," Thomasson said by phone from his hometown, Brookesville, Fla. "It's like this we played with Charlie Daniels, Tucker has played with Charlie Daniels, we've played with Tucker.
"So it was music to my ears when Mr. Daniels called me up and asked if we were interested in doing the 'Volunteer Jam.'"
Daniels started the "Volunteer Jam" in 1974, and with a few exceptions in the 1980s, the concerts have been performed ever since, according to Daniels' Web site. "While the Outlaws open this leg of the tour, we all play songs together. That's why it's called a 'Volunteer Jam.' We'll get our groups onstage together. I'll play with Charlie and Mashall, and we'll go back and forth. And it's all in the name of good fun and music.
"It gets the blood going. Once Mr. Daniels raises his fiddle bow and starts things off, it's a great feeling to be a part of the show."
Over the past 30 years, the music scene in the Southeast has produced some rock 'n' roll icons Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet, the Georgia Satellites, .38 Special, the Outlaws, the Allman Brothers Band and, of course, the Charlie Daniels Band. For the most part, the Southern-rock genre has involved a tight-knit circle.
"But it's getting a little more loose," said Thomasson. "We've been reaching more people and, though we will always call that area our home, we are branching out."
The Outlaws have found a way into their fans' lives with the rock anthem "Green Grass & High Tides," which was the band's breakthrough in 1975. The song was recently named one of the Top 20 Greatest Southern Rock songs by Country Music Television. "When we play that song, we have the whole audience singing with us. I look into that audience and see not only fans from our early days but also their children and grandchildren.
"Our audience spans over three generations. And that, to me, is amazing. It makes me proud that I'm still keeping the Outlaws alive."
In the early 1980s, the band had its highest charting single, a remake of the 1949 Vaughn Monroe gem "(Ghost) Riders in the Sky." The Outlaws' version hit No. 31 on Billboard's Top 100 Singles and remained on that chart for 15 weeks, making it the band's most successful pop single. "We haven't forgotten that. We play that song and things get crazy from there in the set."
This year, the Outlaws featuring Thomasson, guitarist Chris Anderso, bassist Randy Threet and original drummers David Dix and Monte Yoho will release an album full of new material, said Thomasson. "We worked 1 1/2 years on it. We're looking to release it in November."
The album features 12 songs written over the past 18 months. "Every song we wrote for the album made it to the final track listing. We recorded most of it close to home and in Tampa and had a great experience. In fact, we play four of the songs from the album in our set. And it's fun to see people liking what we're doing.
"It's always a gamble to play new songs in a set. Charlie once told me that if you play a new song and it doesn't go over well, then put it on the back burner. But it seems the new songs are catching on."
For Thomasson, there's nothing like playing live especially when it's with a bunch of friends. "The other day we were in the middle of the jam and Charlie asked me if I was having fun. I turned to him smiling and said, 'Yes, Mr. Daniels. I sure am."
If you go ...
What: "Volunteer Jam," Charlie Daniels Band, Marshall Tucker Band, the Outlaws
Where: USANA Amphitheatre, 5600 S. 6200 West
When: Today, 7 p.m.
How much: $28-$38.50
Phone: 467-8499 or 800-888-8499
Web: www.smithstix.com
E-mail: scott@desnews.com