Gator Country (Live in Dallas 1985)

Zoo Freaks, get ready to chomp down on some juicy trivia about "Gator Country (Live in Dallas 1985)" by Molly Hatchet, spinning now from their killer album Double Trouble Live! This track, originally from their 1978 debut, is a Southern rock anthem penned by bassist Banner Thomas and guitarists Dave Hlubek and Steve Holland. The lyrics came to life one wild night when Thomas, after a rare dance with Jack Daniel’s, woke up on the tour bus and scribbled out the whole song, as lead singer Danny Joe Brown shared in a radio interview with WMDM. Running at 6:17, the live version from Dallas showcases the band’s three-guitar attack—Hlubek, Holland, and Duane Roland—each taking a blazing solo in the song’s second half. It’s a love letter to Florida, their home state, with playful jabs at other Southern rockers like Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Allman Brothers, though some fans, like Educat from North Carolina on Songfacts, argue the dissing doesn’t elevate the tune. Still, Jack from The Great State of Confusion calls it “tongue-in-cheek fun,” and we’re vibing with that!

Another cool tidbit? The song’s title inspired a spin-off band in 2005 called Gator Country, formed by ex-Molly Hatchet members Jimmy Farrar, Duane Roland, Bruce Crump, Steve Holland, and Riff West. They rocked tracks like “Bounty Hunter” and “Flirtin’ with Disaster” live, keeping the spirit alive, as noted in a 2008 Classic Rock Music Blog post. Sadly, Roland passed away in 2006, but Gator Country soldiered on with guitarist Paul Chapman. The live Dallas recording we’re spinning captures Molly Hatchet at a peak, with Danny Joe Brown back on vocals after a hiatus, dueling guitars screaming, and a crowd losing it, as described in a 2021 review by Graham Reid. Zoo Crew’s got this cranked up for all you freaks out there!

Now, let’s rewind to how Molly Hatchet got rolling. Hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, the band was born in 1971 when guitarist Dave Hlubek teamed up with drummer Skip Lake, bassist Tim Lindsey, and keyboardist Chris Caruso in a psychedelic outfit called Mind Garden. By 1973, Hlubek and Lake linked up with singer Bobby Maddox and guitarist Steve Holland, naming the band after a legendary Southern prostitute who supposedly beheaded her clients—a gritty nod to their raw, rebellious style. As Hlubek shared in an interview, the name came from a friend at the University of Florida, and it stuck as they gigged around Jacksonville’s rock clubs. By 1976, the classic lineup solidified with Hlubek, Holland, Duane Roland on guitars, Danny Joe Brown on vocals, Banner Thomas on bass, and Bruce Crump on drums. Their 1978 debut album, featuring iconic Frank Frazetta artwork, went platinum, and hits like “Flirtin’ with Disaster” cemented their Southern rock legacy.

Despite lineup changes and the loss of all original members—Danny Joe Brown passed in 2005, Roland in 2006, Hlubek in 2017, and Holland in 2020—the band keeps rocking with keyboardist John Galvin (since 1983), guitarist Bobby Ingram (since 1987), drummer Shawn Beamer, bassist Tim Lindsey, and vocalist Parker Lee. Their official site, mollyhatchet.com, is your go-to for tour dates and merch, while their Facebook and Instagram pages drop updates and throwback pics. Follow them on X for the latest banter. Zoo Freaks can also join the Molly Hatchet Fans Facebook group to connect with diehards swapping stories and setlists. No fan websites are currently active, but the band’s socials and that group keep the Gator Country spirit alive. Keep it locked to THE ZOO for more Hatchet heat!