Doug Gray of Marshall Tucker Band performs at the Smith Farms Music Festival in Cullman May 25, 2012. The band returns Saturday to perform at Rock the South.

The Marshall Tucker Band has criss-crossed the country traveled around the world, but that journey is far from over for the group when it takes the stage at Rock the South on Saturday.

Led by the diverse vocals of Doug Gray, the lone remaining founding member of the band, Marshall Tucker Band soared into the charts in 1973 with its self-titled debut album and the iconic hit single, “Can’t You See.” The band followed up with Searchin’ for A Rainbow, featuring “Fire On the Mountain” and a long journey of success opened up for the South Carolina natives.

During the band’s roll to fame, one of the founding members, Tommy Caldwell died from injuries in an accident. Some time later, his brother, Toy Caldwell retired from touring because it was difficult to continue without his brother on-stage, Gray recalls.

“We had all known each other going way back and spent some time in the military. We just all agreed in the beginning that no one wanted to be the one star of the band and it worked. We were always a family, we never fought or even argued,” Gray said. “And Toy was an incredible guitar player and everyone knew it, but we were all just friends and family and we always appreciated the fans we played for.”

For Gray, as other original members elected to stop touring, he became the unanimous choice to carry on the tradition of Marshall Tucker Band. After celebrating his 70th birthday on May 22, he sees no reason to stop. It’s about loyalty.

“I was in Vietnam in the Army during the Tet Offensive and then I was able to come home in late 1969,” Gray said. “We all found jobs, I was in banking, but we had this music. At one time I was offered a pretty good opportunity to move to Atlanta and then Capricorn Records offered a record deal and we all went with the record deal.”

As the success and fans grew, Marshall Tucker Band racked up five Gold records and one Platinum. Their place as one of the most durable bands in popular music was earned and the fans have remained.

“It’s really about loyalty to the fans,” Gray said. “We were busy working and performing these songs and we always enjoyed it and connecting with everyone who came to shows. I kept a lot of magazines and the Gold records and they’re conversation pieces. Someone comes over to the house to do plumbing work and they see these things and talk about how their parents always played these songs at home or in the car. That means a lot to know you were with people, and you still are. Being loyal to those fans, from yesterday and today, means a lot.”

“Can’t You See” remains a signature song of the band and Gray said it belongs to the fans.

“That’s their song. It belongs to them,” Gray said.

At 6 p.m. Saturday, Marshall Tucker Band will break out many of its most memorable songs, which Gray said still energizes him after more than 45 years.

“I’ve been blessed with good health and this is what I still find a lot pleasure in doing,” Gray said. “When I step up the mic for the first song you get your energy from the audience. Playing is about the people, making a memory that’s good. All of us guys have always been a brotherhood of real true brothers.”